ANNUAL MEETING. 43- 



allowed to hatch, the pomologist is still not without hope. In case the tree is 

 not in heaving, both species of the worms may be destroyed by syringing the 

 tree with a mixture of Paris green and water. Even if in bearing, I should still 

 do this. I think the Paris green applied in June could do no injury. But even 

 if the fruit must be sacrificed, better this than the tree. It will be remembered 

 that these are drop-worms, and if the tree is jarred will fall suspended by a 

 silken thread. We can make use of this habit, and at the same time illustrate 

 the doctrine of cremation. As they swing from the tree, we can, by using a 

 pole, easily gather them on to a bed of straw, which can then be fired, when 

 our diminutive enemies may feel quite like heroes, as they depart amidst flame 

 and smoke. 



There are several natural enemies of the canker-worms, to which we arc so 

 largely indebted, that we ought not to pass them without a word of praise. Our 

 large fine ground beetle, so beautifully dotted with silver or copper, Calosoma 

 calidum, feasts on the larva? as they attempt to enter the ground, and afterward 

 on the pupae. Some of our wasps take the canker-worms to provision their 

 cells. A two-winged fly of the genus Tachina is also said to destroy great num- 

 bers, while a minute mite, and a tiny species of Platygaster preys upon the eggs. 

 Those true friends, the birds, too, are found doing good work here as elsewhere. 

 Mr. C. J. Maynard, see American Naturalist, volume 8, page 271, has taken 

 canker-worms from the stomachs of over thirty birds, among which are the' 

 cherry bird, robin, oriole, crow, red-winged black-bird, and cat-bird. Oh,, 

 that all might know and appreciate the valuable services of our bird friends ! 



CONCLUSION. 



Thus it will be seen that the canker-worm, though one of the most serious; 

 evils, when it makes an attack may be overcome in several ways, and as we now 

 understand that there are two species, and know the difference of their habits, 

 the extermination is not so serious a task. Experience in our State, plainly 

 teaches that if an orchard is once attacked, ruin is almost sure to follow, unless^ 

 the evil is thwarted. Yet from the impediment in the way of locomotion, the 

 spread of the insect is slow and epiite uncertain if the distance between orchards-, 

 is anywise considerable. That it will pay to defend an orchard when once at- 

 tacked is mosc certain. That the insect has not spread, or continued in any 

 locality where it has once gained a foot-hold in our State, may tend to allay 

 fear, yet reason and the experience east point rather to the wisdom of our 

 Lenawee friends, in arousing the people to make the demand that the pest 

 shall be exterminated, though but one locality be infested, as then we know we 

 are safe. We never feel so safe with an enemy beleaguered, as we do with it 

 exterminated. 



The lecture was illustrated throughout by charts and blackboard. The Pro- 

 fessor also exhibited the materials used in trapping the insects, and actually 

 made the traps before the audience. The insects themselves, in all their forms,, 

 were passed through the audience, that all might get an accurate idea of the- 

 pest. 



Mr. Mann, of Adrian, gave an account of the wholesale destruction the insect 

 had begun on one orchard near Adrian, with the methods they had there intro- 

 duced for checking its ravages. 



Mr. Merriman, of Grand Rapids, remarked that both species of the insects 

 described by Prof. Cook were found at Grand Rapids and vicinity, and had 

 caused considerable damage. 



