426 Report oF THE HorRTICULTURIST OF THE 
first application is the most important, and should be made as 
soon as the lice appear. The spray should be directed so as to 
hit the under surfaces of the leaves. A second and third applica- 
tion about a week apart may be necessary. 
SAW FLIES. 
(Nematus ventricosus Klug.) (Pristiphora grossulariae Walsh.) . 
Description.— The first named species, which is popularly 
known as the imported currant worm, is much more troublesome 
than the latter, which is a native American species. The larve 
are the common ‘ 
“worms” that attack the leaves of both the cur- 
rant and gooseberry, often quickly denuding the bush. 
The adults are four-winged flies about the size of a house-fly. 
Their bodies are prominently marked with yellow. They appear 
during the first warm days of spring and deposit their eggs in 
single rows on the under sides of the midribs and larger veins. 
The eggs hatch in about ten days. The newly hatched larvae 
are light green in color. At first they eat small holes through the 
leaves, but as they grow larger, devour the entire leaf with the 
exception of the midrib and larger veins. ‘Their color changes 
with successive molts until, when about full grown and before 
the last molt, they are a moderately dark green color, marked 
with numerous black dots. After the last molt they are plain 
green. When full grown, which is in about three weeks, they 
measure about three-fourths of an inch in length. The cocoons 
are formed either just above or a short distance below the sur- 
face of the ground, attached to the plant. The adults escape late 
in June or early in July. Eggs are soon deposited for a second 
brood, which passes to the chrysalis stage before winter sets in. 
Treatment.— As soon as the “ worms” appear spray the bushes 
with hellebore, one ounce to two gallons of water. Direct the 
spray toward the under sides of the leaves. It is important to 
make the first application while the “ worms” are yet very young. . 
