378 B.EPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS OF THE 



and is most prevalent during warm, moist weather. The affected 

 caterpillars at first become sluggish in their movements, finally 

 cease to eat and die soon after. 



When the disease is prevalent it is, not nnusnal to find large 

 numbers of the dead and dying caterpillars congregated in the 

 nests. 



Value of natural checks. — While it is evident that these natural 

 agencies do much toward checking the increase of this and many 

 other species of noxious insects, so much dependence should not 

 be put upon them as to lead to delay in promptly applying preven- 

 tive and remedial measures. But such friends as the birds should 

 be protected and encouraged whenever possible. If let alone, or 

 better, if encouraged to visit the orchard^ they will do much toward 

 ridding it of many of the noxious insects which annually exact a 

 heavy tax from the farmer. 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 



Probably the most important preventive measures consists of 

 keeping the roadsides and farms free from wild cherry trees and 

 neglected apple trees and brush. The insect prefers the wild 

 cherry, and where these trees are allowed to grow the usual result is 

 that neighboring orchards soon become infested. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Collecting the eggs. — Very much can be done toward checking 

 this insect by collecting the egg masses during the winter. The 

 exact time and methods for doing this work can best be decided 

 by the individual. A very good time is while pruning the trees. 

 If a sharp lookout is kept it will not be difficult to detect them. 

 Whenever found they should be burned or otherwise destroyed. 

 It is not safe to leave them on the ground. 



In some places encouraging the destruction of the egg masses 

 by offering a reasonable bounty has been tried with good results. 

 As an illustration, the following is quoted from a paper by Dr. C. 



