358 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



As these insects are diurnal, it would be well for our horticulturists 

 to learn, not only to distinguish the beetles, but also to know the time 

 when they deposit their eggs, which, in this latitude, is the last of May 

 and the first of June. Where the perfect insects can be caught, let them 

 be utterly destroyed, and that without mercy; a few dimes, or, what is 

 better, a few appropriate books, bestowed on careful children as a reward 

 for the destruction of these and other insect pests, will not be in vain. 

 Children are not slow in learning to distinguish species ; a few times 

 showing and noting the prominent characters will soon enable them to 

 distinguish them. 



Dicerca divaricata, Say. The Cherry-tree Borer. (See page 192.) 

 Dicerca lurida, Fabr. (See page 192.) 



The following method of preventing the ravages of borers is given 

 by J. T. Ford in the Rural Alabaman : 



" You recommend the frequent washing of apple trees with strong soap-suds, to 

 prevent the ravages of the borer. Now, this may be very well, but, in my opinion, it is 

 far from the only and cheapest means by which we may safely combat this predaceous 

 enemy. 



"As soon as an apple tree attains the age of two or three years, the trunk, and 

 finally the larger branches, become literally enveloped in some kind of an adnascent 

 fungus or foreign deposit. It is beneath these fungi, and immediately with the bark, 

 that the beetle deposits her eggs, which soon hatch and immediately commence their 

 work of devastation. This mischief is continued from one to three years, according to 

 the species, unless they are destroyed by man or that despised, though best of farmers' 

 friends, the sap-sucker. 



" Now, the beetle never deposits her eggs on a smooth trunk or limb, but deep 

 and securely beneath the deposits before named. The only object to be accomplished 

 by washing the trees with soap-suds is to remove this deposit. The alkali thus left on 

 the tree has nothing to do in preventing the beetle from depositing her eggs. It is true 

 this application may be beneficial in some slight degree to the tree, but not of sufficient 

 importance to recommend its adoption. 



" Experience has convinced me that any thing that will remove this deposit from 

 the trunk of the tree is equally as efficacious as soap-suds. Indeed, all a person has to 

 do is to examine his trees carefully in early spring, and, where he finds this deposit 

 thickest, and especially when it has assumed a dark or greenish appearance, to remove 

 it the easiest way he can. A common table-knife answers a good purpose, coarse sand- 

 paper is excellent, and a very stiff brush does the work most efficiently ; and, without 

 this precaution, it is folly to expect apples, especially on old trees, that are worthy of 

 the name." 



Agrilus riificollis, Fabr. The Raspberry Borer. (See page 193.) 

 Amphicerus bicandatus, Say. Apple-twig Borer. (See page 194.) 

 Ithycertis noveboracensis, Forst. New York Weevil. (See page 197.) 

 Pandeleteius hilaris, Herbst. Gray-sided Curculio. (See page 198.) 

 Magdalis armicoUis, Say. Elm-tree Curculio. (See page 199.) 

 Hylobius pales, Herbst. Pales Weevil. (See page 199.) 

 Pissodes strobi, Peck. White-pine Weevil. (See page 200.) 

 Analeis fragaricB, Riley. Strawberry Crown-borer. (See page 206.) 



