274 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



While the trees are young and thrift}' the bark is tender, so that the borers have little 

 difficulty in penetrating. When the bark is old and hard thought banking better than 

 cutting. Did not know but the plan of using oiled paper was better than either. It 

 was necessary to keep them out somehow, for frequently one worm would destroy a 

 tree. 



Dr. Abbott had had his share of experience in the general fight on the common 

 enemy. Coincided with the opinion expressed by Mr. Pullen. 



Brunt on thought that banking to be effectual should be attended to frequently. 

 •Otherwise in the hot, dry weather, the earth would become baked, leaving cracks which 

 would form safe, convenient places for the moth to harbor in to deposit her eggs, and 

 the borer when hatched would find the bark of even old trees comparatively soft under 

 the earth. Considered moisture an essential element for the hatching of the worm. 

 In planting a young orchard would throw the earth to the trees with a plow and finish 

 with a hoe. But it would be necessary to examine the trees carefully with a sharp 

 knife for a few years. If Dr. Hooton's theory was correct and everybody would adopt 

 it, thought the race might be exterminated. 



Myres — Thought that banking trees with sand would be more effectual than hilling 

 up with earth. There would be less moisture, no cracks for the moths to harbor in, 

 and the sand being loose would encircle the tree closely, while with earth the swaying 

 of the tree by the wind would leave an opening that would prevent any benefit from 

 banking. Besides, the sand being porous would admit the air more readily and be 

 better for the tree. 



McCord — differed with some Entomologists with regard to the so-called "borer- 

 moth ;" thought the insect more properly belonged to the order, Ilymenoptera, as it 

 more resembled a wasp than a moth. Thought that the microscope would satisfy any 

 careful observer that it was not a lepidopterous insect. Said there were three varieties 

 easily distinguished by their colors and the color of the lame ; one larva living in the 

 tree one season, another two seasons, and another three. The two latter, however, 

 being comparatively rare. 



Mr. Wooley — Had banked up one thousand trees five years old, two years ago, and 

 had done nothing more to them since, except to raise the dirt a little in the spring. 

 Thought his trees free from the depredations of the borer. 



Mr. Keeder — had lost an entire orchard in Kentucky, by the help of the peach borer. 

 Thought that cultivation in an orchard of over three years old, was an injury instead 

 of a benefit ; that trees in grass longer lived than those which were cultivated. Knew 

 of one tree that stood on a common, receiving no attention, that bore fruit for thirty 



years. 



Mr. Webster — thought favorably of wrapping trees with oiled paper. Banking, to 

 be of much use must be followed up continually. Would cultivate young trees a few 

 years and then sow the orchard to Timothy or clover. Grass was much better in an 

 orchard than weeds. Spoke of an orchard in this county which had produced both 

 irrassand fruit in a satisfactory quantity and quality for several years. 



Hjay Thought that banking with sand was the most feasible and safe plan yet pre- 

 sented. The greatest objection to it was the large quantity of sand that it would 

 require, and as it would be difficult to obtain a sufficient amount here, suggested the 

 idea of making a small box with which to enclose the tree, and filling it with sand. 

 These would not only be durable but the sand would be light and porous, comapra- 



