PEAR OR CHERRY SLUG.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1791, 19 February 1918, Page 3

PEAR OR CHERRY SLUG.

A good deal of damage is, being done this season to fruit trees in the district by the ravages of the pear slug. This chewing insect is very destructive to the foliage of the cherry, plum, pear, etc. By attacking one of the most vital parts of a tree —the leaf —it soon reduces the vitality of the tree to a very low ebb. Many a grower looks upon the ravages of this pest as being comparatively harmless, as it does not appear to affect the fruit; but if he were to consider what defoliation really means to a tree he would then by all means in Ins power endeavour to check the ravages of the pear slug, as defoliating the tree is what the slug is ideally busily engaged in doing. The attacks of this pest very seriously affects the vitality of the tree, and the quantity and quality of the fruit it hears, the damage done being more noticeable to young trees. A tree that is badly attacked one season seldom bears a good crop the following season. As pear slug is easily controlled, it seems absurd to let it continue to do the damage it, does year after year. Spraying with arsenate of lead during the season will do what is needful; spray as soon as the slug appears; watch the trees, and repeat the spraying when necessary. The ordinary codlin spray (31bs. of arsenate of lead to 100 gals, of water) will keep bearing trees clean, while half strength required for moth will suffice for nonbearing trees.