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New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6758, 16 July 1883, Page 3

A.M.M., Takapuna, forwards the following extract from the California Farmer, whose editor is an authority on fruit culture :— "The recent alarm occasioned by the alleged presence of the codlin moth in our orchaids has created fresh interest in the subject of orchard pests, among vvhich scale insects occupy a prominent position. These insects are almost imperceptible to a careless, observer; they do not travel from orchard to orchard, but are spread by outside agencies, such as cuttings and small trees. These enemies to apple orchards and orange and lemon groves will survive long journeys. Hence the ciution to carefully examine all trees or cuttings brought from a distance, and the destruction of any that may prove to be infested. Professor Comstock says that of the many applications which have been recommended as remedies, few have been of any use. The best one, he thinks, is a solution of whale-oil soap, at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. From one-fourth to half a pouud of soap to each gallon of water had proved an effective proportioa. The best time to make the application is when the the insects are newly hatched, but the results are successful any time in early summfer. Care should be taken not to injure the leaves. In localities where the depredations of scale insects are to be feared it is advisable to plant orchaids in isolation so that they will not infect each other." A. M. M. adds:—

"The scale insect made its appearance some time ago in our Auckland orchards, where it has got 'a local habitation and a name.' This is perhaps a slightly different variety from that which has proved to be so dreadful a pest to the fruit-grower in the South Island, as it appears to be of a lighter colour, and to be a little larger. In Canterbury thousands of apple trees may be seen completely covered with its tiny and repulsive-looking scale, which adheres to the bark and all parts o£ the tree, covering even the fruit, and rendering it unsaleable. Even the hawthorn hedges are ruined by the myriads of this minute creature, encrusting every part of the wood. Like most insect pestß, it is endowed with marvellous powers of reproduction, multiplying and spreading with greater rapidity under the favourable conditions of our climate than it does in the drier climate of California. Owing to this and other : reasons it may be regarded es even a worse I trouble than the common blight, or aphis lanigera. The greatest caution ought to be used in obtaining trees from the South which are likely to be infected. It is also a dangerous practice to use old apple boxes for carrying fruit from the orchard. And every fruit-grower wifl do well to excercise the greatest care and vigilance in watching for this new enemy, and in uning prompt means for exterminating if on its first appearance." Don't Die in the House. —"Hough on Rats" dears out rats, mico, beetles, roaches, bdd*bnKß, flies, ants, insects, moles, jad*.-rabbits, gophers. 7JcL Moses, Moss & Co., Sydney, Gateral Agents. Don't hbo but o&tuie'a brain and nerve food'—'Hop Bitters* See*.