The Peach-Tree Borer. 



177 



more or less infested with the peach-tree borer. It is one of the 

 most serious of the insect pests that are now being sent out hy 

 nurserymen. 



When the pest once gets a foot-liold in an orchard or locality, it 

 may be slowly spread from orchard to orchard by the adult insects 

 or moths, which fly readily, but apparently not for very long 

 distances. 



Peach, plum, prune, apricot or cherry trees from a nursery should 

 always be carefully examined for " borers " before setting them. 



Appearance of Infested Trees. 



Peach-tree borers often kill young trees by girdling them with 

 their burrows just beneath the bark underground and thus render- 

 ing their destructive 

 work very conspicu- 

 ous. Many infested 

 trees, even young treeSj 

 survive the attacks of 

 the borer, but they are 

 usually recognized by 

 their weakened, sickly 

 appearance when com- 

 pered with perfectly 

 healthy trees. The re- 

 cuperative powers of a 

 peach tree from the 

 ravages of borers are 

 sometimes wonderful. 

 We have seen a peach 

 tree, only one and a half 

 inches in diameter, sup- 

 port nine borers nearly 

 to maturity in a single 

 season and yet survive. And some of the trees in the older peach 

 orchards of the country, and some of the " old relics " in door-yards 

 or- gardens, have furnished sustenance to hundreds of borers and 

 are yet producing fair crops of fruit. But every borer weakens the 

 12 



45. — Base of an infested peach tree, showiny the 

 gummy mass surrounding the tree. 



