WHAT HORTICULTURISTS SHOULD LEARN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1341, 31 March 1883, Page 4

WHAT HORTICULTURISTS SHOULD LEARN.

Horticultuiists should make the study of insects, especially those known to be injurious to fruit and fruit trees, a part of their every day work, It is as necessary for them to understand the natural history and habits of such pests of the orchard as it is to understand how to plant prune, ik Some fruit growers think that for such practical investigation of insect lite a scientific knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of these creatures is indispensable. Such is not the case. It requires some apparatus, which can be procured at a nominal expense, a little patience, and an interest in the subject investigated, to learn, practically what they have depended on others ito furnish

The apparatus required: One small microscope, say §10; one one-inch focus watchmaker's glass, §1 50; glass mountings and balsam, §1 50. However, investigations' may be made by use of the one-inch lens, costing §1 50 The investigator should procure some of the prominent publications on insect life, such as': "Insects lujurious to," etc,, Harris; " Insect World," Figuier;" Half Hour with the Insects," Packard; Guide to the Study of Insects," Packard.. These publications will he found of great assistance as a *.<uide to reach definite results, especidly the Guide of Packard, Should the fruit grower be unable to give half an hour of his time'each day for such investigations, the ladies and children of the household should be trained to make observations that, when compared with those of others, lucli information will be obtained as will repay them for-their time and labor. When the life, history, and habits of these insects ,is : learned to such an extent as to' be familiar with the metamorphoses . (changes), as larva, pupa (chrysalis), Imago (perfect insect), the fruit grower can go to work intelligently to exterminate them. By following the above, recommenda-. tions the.resultgained will be replacing theoretical by practical information,