This is the raspberry horn-tail, or the cane-borer.  The adults are wasp-like insects about a half-inch long and very active.  They come out of the canes in spring and the females soon lay eggs in the tender tips of the young shoots.  These eggs soon hatch and the larvae eat their way up toward the tip, which causes it to wither and die.  It is this injury that causes much notice.  As the tip dies, the larvae turn and go down into the canes, as in the sample sent, also injuring them greatly, though possibly not killing them for some time.  The only way to attack them is to pinch the spots where the eggs were laid; then those that escape and cause the tips to wilt should be destroyed by cutting off the tips below the point of injury or cutting off the canes when they show damage.  Likewise, the insects work on the wild rose, and cutting all those out around a place will prevent enough adults from developing to permit little damage to be done, always provided the berries are well looked after.

Control of Red Spider.

Can you give directions for the prevention of injury by the red spider to almond and other trees in the Sacramento volley?

The red spider on almond and prune trees is usually controlled by the thorough application of dry sulphur to the foliage.  On almonds the first sulphuring should be done as soon as the leaves appear in March.  A second application is advised from the 1st to the 10th of May.  A third application should be made from the 1st to the 10th of June.  Prune trees should be treated as soon as the spider appears.  In the Sacramento valley this usually occurs about the first week of July.  Full-grown trees require about a pound of sulphur which should be thoroughly distributed throughout the foliage.  The old method of throwing a handful of sulphur in the branches of the tree or on the ground under the tree is valueless.  The use of a blower is economical in large orchards, but a can with perforated bottom is frequently used on young trees or small orchards with good results.  In normal seasons the spider is easily, controlled by dry sulphuring.  When the pest does not yield to this treatment, a spray is recommended.

Liquid Spray for Red Spider.

Is there any liquid spray I can use in my spraying that will kill the red spider without injuring the foliage of the almond?

A liquid spray for red spider is made by taking sulphur 30 pounds; lime (reduced to milk form by water), 15 pounds; water, 200 gallons; or use commercial lime-sulphur, 4 or 5 gallons to 200 gallons of water.  These sprays can be applied without injuring the foliage.  They are more expensive in labor cost than dry sulphuring, but are more effective.

Apple-Leaf Aphis.

I am sending herewith a small piece from one of my young apple trees.  If you can, will you kindly tell me what the insects are an it, and what I had better do for them?