THE ORCHARD

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1957, 29 August 1934, Page 5

THE ORCHARD

BBOWX SCALE OX FRUIT TREES. Tree"- or bushes heavily infested with brow., scale (Lecanium persicae), arc we Kcned by a heavy drain of sap, and ' ',* a result, the amount of fruit borne is greatly lessened, and the leaves fail prematurely. The pest is widespread. The scale is found principally on gooseberries, currants, and peaches, but will attack other varieties of fruit also. The fully-developed female scale is brown, fiat on the under surface, convex ou the upper side and oval ill shape. Toward the end of the summer, the small white eggs are laid in large numbers; it is recorded that a female may lay as many as 2000 eggs. The eggs lie under a cavity which forms in the under surface of the body. The female then dies and her body shrivels and becomes dark brown. It is at this stage that the insect becomes the wellknown brown scale, which may remain on the trees for several years. When the young larvae hatch, they con "re to remain the scale. By the autum_, however, the larvae have all left this protection and have settled down under curled pieces of bark, where they pass the winter. The young larvae are reddish brown in colour. In the spring they come out of hiding and suck the sap, becoming fully grown by the month of December. Eggs are then laid, and the cycle proceeds once more. In some districts only one generation is produced in a season, but occasionally two or three are produced. Winter spraying with a tar oil, or heavy oil spray at 5 per cent strength will kill the hibernating larvae. Lime sulphur at a strength of 1 in 30 is also effective. The sprays should be applied with great thoroughness, aud plenty of force, particular care being taken to wet the underside of the branches. Pruning should be completed before spraying commences as this will result in appreciable economy in the liquid used. All primings should be collected

and burned.