June  3,  1897. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAOE  GARDENER. 
487 
neck  of  the  ovary,  and  in  three  or  four  days  the  eggs  hatch  into  tiny 
maggots  in  the  ovary  of  the  embryo  fruit,  where  they  feed  upon  the 
growing  tissues,  which,  by  the  constant  gnawing  and  rasping  and 
irritation,  incites  undue  growth  of  tissue,  and  this  being  outward  from 
the  exciting  cause  a  gall  is  the  consequence.  The  effect  is  to  destroy  the 
core  and  ovules,  and  the  maggots  continue  until  full-fed.  This  takes 
place  early  in  June  in  forward  seasons,  when  decay  follows,  and  the 
infested  fruit  either  falls  or  cracks  and  the  maggots  emerge,  dropping  to 
the  ground.  They  enter  the  soil  an  inch  or  two,  and  after  resting  awhile 
make  oval  cocoons  of  silken  threads  mixed  with  particles  of  earth.  In 
these  cocoons  they  remain  quite  content,  and  apparently  unchanged, 
until  the  Pear  blossom  buds  commence  swelling,  so  timing  the  entrance 
on  the  pupae  state,  which  takes  about  a  month,  that  they  will  appear  in 
perfect  form — male  and  female — by  the  time  the  Pear  blossoms  are  in 
good  colour,  and  have  nothing  to  do  but  await  the  expansion  of  the  petals 
for  inserting  the  eggs.  These  are  seldom  less  than  a  dozen,  and  often 
many  more  in  number,  which  means  a  corresponding  number  of  maggots, 
so  that  there  is  no  wonder  they  make  such  speedy  work  of  the  Pears. 
The  only  stages  at  which  the  Pear-gall  gnat  can  well  be  proceeded 
against  are— 1,  When  the  flies  appear.  The  practice  of  catching  them 
on  strips  of  tin  about  a  foot  long  and  3  inches  wide,  smeared  on  both 
sides  with  a  substance  formed  of  resin  and  sweet  oil  melted  together,  i< 
very  old  and  excellent,  especially  for  choice  varieties  of  Pears,  as  such 
trees  are  low,  and  the  tin  traps — shining  like  gold — can  be  affixed  on  a 
level  with  or  just  above  or  outside  the  blossoms.  The  traps  must  be  in 
position  just  before  the  flowers  unfold,  continuing  for  about  a  fortnight. 
Another  plan  is  to  spray  the  trees  just  before  the  blossoms  open  with 
soluble  petroleum,  again  when  the  blossom  is  well  out,  and  a  third  time 
after  the  petals  fell.  The  soluble  petroleum  does  not  affect  the  setting, 
but  care  must  be  taken  to  apply  the  second  dressing  before  the  pollen 
cases  burst.  It  is  prudent  to  first  try  the  effect  of  the  preparation  on  a 
few  cut  sprays  placed  in  water,  using  an  atomiser,  and  note  the  effects. 
Such  “fine”  smelling  substances  as  formalin  and  spidacide  are  almost 
certain  to  drive  away  such  pests  as  the  one  under  consideration,  and 
have  the  advantage  of  being  safe  to  use.  They  are  mentioned  for 
experiment. 
2,  As  soon  as  the  Pear  blossom  has  set,  or  in  the  earliest  larval 
stage  of  the  insect,  promptly  use  an  insecticide  when  the  petals  drop 
and  get  it  into  the  eye  of  the  fruit.  This  will  cure  the  maggots,  but 
not  the  Pears,  for  when  their  ovules  are  damaged  or  destroyed  the 
flesh  is  of  very  little  use. 
3,  While  the  maggots  are  in  the  fruit,  the  removal  of  the  affected 
Pears  and  burning  them  never  fails.  It  is  the  catch  ’em  and  kill  ’em 
practice,  too  slow  for  adoption  on  a  large  scale,  but  practicable  and 
serviceable  in  the  case  of  small  trees  in  gardens  ;  but  fruit  tree  pests  will 
never  be  banished  until  the  neglected  orchards  are  taken  in  hand  by 
competent  pathologists. 
4,  When  the  larvae  have  left  the  fruit,  which  takes  place  about  the 
middle  of  June,  later  in  backward  seasons,  supply  a  dressing  of.  best 
quality  kainit — 10  cwt.  per  acre,  7  lbB.  per  rod,  or  4ozs.  (rather  less)  per 
square  yard  just  after  rain.  The  salt  will  be  dissolved  by  the  soil 
moisture,  and  the  solution  coming  into  contact  with  larvae  destroys 
them.  In  the  case  of  cultivated  land  the  kainit  may  be  lightly 
pointed  in. 
The  most  hateful  thing  to  pests  is  good  cultural  methods  that  make 
for  their  disturbance  and  eradication.  But  when  the  orchard  so  treated 
adjoins  another  that  knows  neither  soil  cultivation  nor  essential  top- 
management  all  the  labour  will  be  in  vain,  as  the  Pear-gall  gnats  are 
bound  to  find  their  way  from  the  neglected  to  the  cultivated  trees. — 
G.  Abbey. 
ROYAL  NATIONAL  TULIP  SOCIETY. 
Northern  Section. 
The  annual  exhibition  of  this  Society  was  held  at  the  Free  Library, 
Middleton,  near  Manchester,  on  Wednesday,  May  26th.  The  date  fixed 
did  not  suit  several  of  the  northern  growers  particularly  well,  but  it 
enabled  some  of  the  early  growers,  among  whom  may  be  named  the  Rev. 
F.  D.  Horner  and  Mr.  Haynes,  who  are  usually  unable  to  be  present,  to 
exhibit.  Considering  the  weather  we  have  had  the  flowers  shown  were 
of  excellent  quality,  particularly  in  the  feathered  classes.  Other  notable 
features  of  the  show  were  the  excellent  seedlings,  mostly  breeders, 
shown  by  the  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  and  a  collection  of  rectified  seedlings 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Jas.  Thurstan  of  Cannock.  Mr.  Horner’s  breeders  showed 
that  he  had  effected  great  improvements  in  form  and  purity,  and  his 
feathered  Charm,  and  Miranda,  and  flamed  Magpie,  all  bybloemens, 
were  very  promising  flowers.  Mr.  Thurstan’g  seedlings  were  of  all  three 
classes,  and  showed  that  he  has  obtained  many  new  varieties  of  great 
refinement  and  merit.  Some  of  the  older  varieties  were  in  first-rate 
form.  It  was  pleasant  to  see  George  Hayward,  Duke  of  Devonshire, 
and  Victoria  Regina  well  feathered  again.  In  flamed  flowers  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton  is  still  supreme,  but  Samuel  Barlow  is  a  grand  companion  to  the 
older  variety,  and  a  bloom  of  the  latter  variety  would  have  had  the 
premier  this  year  had  not  it  have  been  injured  while  growing.  Breeders, 
with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Horner’s,  were  not  up  to  the  usual  quality, 
being  too  young  and  bud-like. 
This  year  the  Judges  were  selected  from  among  the  exhibitors,  and 
although  there  was  no  complaint  of  the  judging  it  is  unlikely  that  the 
experiment  will  be  repeated,  as  it  was  found  that  the  task  of  staging 
flowers  and  also  judging  was  rather  too  great  for  comfort.  Theresas  a 
very  stiff  competition  for  the  silver  cup  for  the  best  twelve  rectified 
Tulips,  which  the  Judges  finally  awarded  to  Mr.  James  W.  Bentley  of 
Stakebill  near  Manchester,  who  was  closely  followed  by  the  Rev.  F.  D. 
Horner  and  Mr.  C.  W.  Needham.  This  is  the  fourth  year  in  succession 
that  Mr.  Bentley  has  won  the  first  in  the  class  for  twelve  rectified 
Tulips  at  this  Show.  The  premier  feathered  flower  was  Mr  Needham’s 
Wm.  Annlbal,  a  very  correct  flower,  lightly  feathered  with  red  on  a  pale 
yellow  ground.  The  premier  flame  was  Mr.  Horner's  Sir  Joseph  Paxton, 
shown  in  Class  8.  The  same  gentleman  a'so  secured  the  prize  for  the 
best  breeder  with  his  seedling  Fairy  Ring,  which  was  everything  one 
could  expect  in  shape,  colour,  and  purity.  Following  is  a  complete  list 
of  the  awards  :  — 
Class  1.  Twelve  dissimilar  Tulips,  two  feathered  and  two  flamed  in  each 
class. — First,  Mr.  J.  W.  Bentley,  Stakebill  House,  Middleton,  with  Lord 
F.  Cavendish  and  John  Mills,  feathered  bizarres;  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and 
Samuel  Barlow,  flamed  bizarres ;  Modesty  and  Julia  Farnese,  feathered  roses; 
Mabel  and  Annie  M‘Gregor,  flamed  roses  ;  Trip  to  Stockport  and  Bessie,, 
feathered  byblcomens ;  and  Chancellor  and  Talisman,  flamed  bybloomens. 
Second,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  Burton-in-Lonsdale.  with  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and 
Masterpiece,  feathered  bizarres  ;  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and  Samuel  Barlow,  flamed 
bizarres  ;  Mrs.  Atkin  and  Mabel,  feathered  ro3es;  Mabel  and  Annie  M‘Gregor, 
flamed  rose3 ;  Mrs.  Cooper  and  Miranda,  feathered  bybloemens;  Duchess  of 
Sutherland  and  Magpie,  flamed  byblcomens.  Third,  Mr.  C.  W.  Needham, 
Royton,  with  Wm.  Annibil  and  George  Hayward,  feathered  bizarres;  Sir 
Joseph  Paxton  and  Dr.  Hardv.  flamed  bizarres;  Modesty  and  Miss  Edwards, 
feathered  roses ;  Aglaia  and  Mabel,  Armed  roses;  Bessie  and  Elizabeth  Pegg, 
feathered  by blcemens ;  Talismau  and  Chancellor,  flamed  bybloemens.  Fourth, 
PIG.  93.— GALLED  PEAR  AND  ITS  CAUSE. 
A,  affected  fruit  (natural  size).  A,  section  of  same,  showing:  a,  gall  with  maggots. 
C,  Pear- gall  gnat;  b,  male  (natural  size);  e,  female  as  seen  depositing  eggs 
(magnified);  showing  d,  ovipositor ;  e,  eggs  (natural  size  and  magnified) ;  f,  young 
larva,  ditto  ;  g,  looping  gait  of  maggot,  ditto;  h,  full  grown  larva,  ditto  ;  i,  cocoon 
(natural  size)  ;  j,  section  of  same  showing  maggot  at  rest;  k  pupa  (natural  size 
and  magnified). 
Mr.  A.  Moorhouse,  Wakefield,  with  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and  Wm.  Wilson, 
feathered  bizarres;  Sir  Joseph  Paxton  and  Wm.  Wilson,  flamed  bizarres; 
Modestv  and  Industry,  feathered  roses ;  Aglaia  and  Annie  M‘Gregor,  flamed 
roses;  Trip  to  Stockport  and  Mrs.  Hepworth,  feathered  bybloemens;  Talisman 
and  Bessie,  flamed  bybloemens.  Fifth,  Mr.  T.  Haynes,  Warwick,  with  Sir 
Joseph  Paxton  and  George  Hayward,  feathered  bizarres;  Sir  Joseph  Paxton 
and  Dr.  Hardy,  flamed  bizarres ;  Mabel  and  Alice,  feathered  roses ;  Mabel  and 
Aglaia,  flamed  roses;  Violet  Amiable  and  Adonis,  feathered  bybloemens; 
Duchess  of  Sutherland  and  Beauty  of  Litchurch,  flamed  bybloemens. 
Class  2.  Six  dissimilar  Tulips,  one  feathered  and  one  flamed  of  each  class. — 
Fii'st,  Rev.  F.  D.  Horner,  with  Ben,  feathered,  and  Sami.  Barlow,  flamed 
bizarres;  Modesty,  feathered,  and  Mabel,  flamed  roses ;  Charm,  feathered,  and 
Duchess  of  Sutherland,  flamed  bybloemens.  Second,  Mr.  Bentley,  with  General 
Grant,  feathered,  and  Dr.  Hardv,  flamed  bizarre ;  Modesty,  feathered,  and 
Mabel,  flamed  roses ;  Camp’s  Seedling,  feathered,  and  Talisman,  flamed 
bybloemens.  Third,  Mr.  Needham,  with  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  feathered,  and 
flamed  bizarres  ;  Modesty, .  feathered,  and  Tv iomphe  Royale,  flamed  roses  ; 
Elizabeth  Pegg,  feathered,  and  Talisman,  flamed  bybloemens.  Fourth,  Mr. 
Haynes,  with  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  feathered  and  flamed  bizarres;  Alice, 
feathered,  and  Triomphe  Royale,  flamed  roses ;  Victoria  Regina,  feathered, 
and  Talisman,  flamed  bybloemens.  Fifth,  Mr.  W.  Kitchen,  Marple,  with 
Storer’s  Seedling,  feathered,  and  San  Josef,  flamed  bizarres;  Modesty, 
feathered,  and  Mabel,  flamed  roses ;  Trip  to  Stockport,  feathered,  and  Lord 
Denman,  -flamed  bybloemens.  Sixth,  Mr.  Moorhouse,  with  Masterpiece, 
feathered,  and  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  flamed,  Mrs.  Lea,  feathered,  and  Aglaia, 
flamed  roses;  Mrs.  Hepworth,  feathered,  and  Bessie,  flamed  bybloemens. 
Seventh,  Mr.  J.  H.  Wood,  Middleton,  with  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  feathered, 
and  Wm.  Lea,  flamed  bizarres;  Heroine,  feathered,  and  Mabel,  flamed  roses; 
Alice  Grey,  feathered,  and  Talisman,  flamed  byblcomens.  Eighth,  Mr.  W. 
Dymock,  Stockport,  with  Lord  R.  Churchill,  feathered,  and  Dr.  Hardy,  flamed 
bizarres ;  Seealing,  feathered,  and  Annie  McGregor,  flamed  roses ;  King  of  the 
Universe,  feathered,  and  Seedling,  flamed  bybloomens. 
Class  3.  Six  dissimilar  Tulips,  one  feathered  and  one  flamed  of  each,  class, 
for  small  growers  only. — First,  Mr.  W.  Prescott,  Bedford  Leigh,  with  Sir 
Joseph  Paxton,  flamed,  and  Lord  Lilford,  feathered  bizarres ;  Miss  Edwards, 
