Destruction of the Codlin Moth.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 219, 10 September 1887, Page 1

Destruction of the Codlin Moth.

The most important lcsnlts reached by the Michigan Agiiculfcuial College experiments are in the extermination of the codlin moth, and as this pest is every year cxl ending its ravages in our orchards ib is well worth wnile giving the lesults of Professor Cook's labours. For several years he lias been using arson itcs ior the destruction of the moth, and e\ cry season he hs^- become more and more convinced that there aio unfailing remedies when properly applied. The following directions given by the professor are well worth being followed by those whose trees are suffering from this enemy of the orchard : Use London purple or Paris green, and not w r hite arsenic. London purple is cheap, mixes easily, and perhaps is a little less likely than Paris green to blight the foliage if used too freely. Apply early, juet after the blossoms have fallen, when the apples arc tho size of small peas. If we wait longer than this some of the insects will have cnteied tho apples and be beyond the reach of harm, and so wo shall partially fail of success. Use a dilute mixture, not more than one pound of London purple or Paris green to 100 gallons of water. If we wore to make any change at all ib would be to make it more dilute, rather than stronger. If kept stirred, and it always should be Avhilc being used, we note that tho liquid is evenly coloured. This proves that poison is in every drop of water. I have proved repeatedly that tho faintest trace of this poison is sure death to the wee insects. So it is not the large doses, but thorough distribution, that is needed. Not that, there is not poison enough on each apple, but that many apples have received no poison at all. If diluted as recommended above, we may scatter so thoroughly as to roach nearly every fruit, and yet not scald or blight the foliage. It stands to reason that in using poisons it is always best to use the minimum quantity necessary to success. Apply the poison with forco. The apples are concealed^ and protected by many leaves, and to insure contact of tho poisonous liquid with the calyx end of oach appie, it must be dashed on the tree with great energy ; then it will scatter, and each apple will receive the fatal atom and every larva will be killed. The neglect of this caution is why some have only saved 75 per cent, of the fruit. I have frequently saved every apple, and that with only one application, but this was in time, and absolutely thorough. Lastly, be sure that the mineral is well mixed. Ibis is best done by grinding first in a little water and then adding the full complement. Provided proper care be used, there is absolutely no danger to be apprehended to human beings from the use of this poisonous remedy. It should never be handled with bare hands, nor should the dust or spray bo allowed to fall upon the body. Beyond

tins there is no more danger in handling ifc than there is any of the spraying solutions now so frequently used. Orchardists, wherecver the codlin moth has appeared, should lose no time in putting this remedy to a. practical test.