STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 49 



common the last season in Mr. O. L. Barler's orchard at Alton, and I 

 observed that the wood below the dead portion was invariably swollen. 



Mr. McWhorter — There is one little remark I wish to make, with ref- 

 erence to the scabbing of the apples. I have observed, from year to year, 

 that the scab prevails most extensively, on trees that have overborne 

 the previous year. I scarcely have known an instance of scabbing to 

 any extent, on young vigorous trees, not exhausted by previous crops. 



Mr. Wier — I have not examined as closely as I could wish, but by 

 the aid of a common magnifying glass, in ever}^ instance I found the 

 spur incircled with a very narrow film of fur. I would ask if any one 

 else has noticed this fur. (Referring to the dead spurs.) 



Mr. Riley — I have observed that very frequently the bark would 

 crack on the green portion, and I have noticed that the wood 

 immediatel}'- below the dead portion was swollen, and it would 

 appear to me that it was strangled there. I have found no insect 

 work about the peculiar spur blight you are now discussing. 



Mr. Holcomb — In our locality where we have the ladj'-birds, we 

 have also a great many of these soldier beetles. 



Mr. M. L. Dunlap — When was their first appearance ? 



Mr. Holcomb — I do not know, but I have noticed them for two or 

 three years. 



Dr. Hull — You understand the difference between the soldier beetle 

 and the cannibal beetle ? 



Mr. Holcomb — I think I know the beetle you speak of. It is a 

 bug about half an inch long, a narrow back, and spots on his wing. 



Mr. Riley — Mr. Holcomb refers to a yellow, narrow beetle — the 

 Pennsylvania soldier beetle — which, in the larva state, attacks with 

 its jaws the common curculio; and Dr. Hull refers to the soldier 

 bug — a true bug (order, Henujptera) — which, in the perfect state, 

 stabs and kills with its beak the Colorado potato beetle, and, occa- 

 sionally, also lady-birds. The misunderstanding arises from misuse 

 of the popular terms beetle and bug, unaccompanied by the scien- 

 tific name. 



Mr. Holcomb — I feel there is nothing in my mind contrarj^ to his 



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