The Peach-Tree Borer. 



219 



plete protection for young trees from the attacks of the peach-tree 

 borer. A cjKnder of wire netting fifteen inches high, mounted on 

 a galvanized metal base, gathered in at the top so as to adjust itself 

 closely to the tree, opens at one side for passing it around the trunk, 

 and is then secured and fastened to the ground, and slightly into it, 

 by a sliding pin. With this protection, the motli would be effectu- 

 ally prevented from depositing an egg upon or near the base of the 

 tree. The cylinders could be quickly applied, and with proper care 

 in housing them, they would last for 

 many years. It is thought that they 

 can be offered for sale at about twelve 

 dollars the hundred." Dr. Lintner 

 wrote us in 189-i that he had no rec- 

 ord of the name of the person who 

 showed him this wire device. Al- 

 though it was at once pointed out by 

 Snyder (1891) that this device was 

 too expensive for extensive use, the 

 idea seemed so good theoretically 

 that most of those who have recently 

 discussed tliis insect have given such 

 a device a prominent place in their 

 recommendations. But apparently 

 no records of actual tests of tlie device 

 appeared until 1898 (Smith). Smith 

 wrapped pieces of ordinary wire mos- 

 quito netting, 12 by 18 inches in size, 

 around the trees, letting it run about 

 two inches below ground, and keep- 

 ing it about half an inch away from 

 the trunk by a band of newspaper at 

 the top which filled the space 1 jet ween 

 the wire and the tree ; he found it to cost about five cents each for 

 sixty young trees. His results were far from conclusive but seemed 

 encouraging. 



We thoroughly tested these wire cages in 1891 and 1895. The 

 netting was cut into pieces 11 by 16 inches in size, and the first year 



55. — Wi7'e-cage protector in posi- 

 tion onapeacli tree in the experi- 

 mental orchard. Theoretically 

 a perfect protector, hut practi- 

 cally rt iiseless device. 



