Rural School Leaflet 



887 



down from the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth segments, counting from 

 the head. And, lest he fall off, he has on the last segment of the body 

 a clasping foot, called the prop leg. On each side 

 of each segment, except the first, there may be seen a 

 breathing pore, or spiracle, through which air is drawn 

 into the insect's body to purify the blood. 



Our fully grown, uneasy caterpillar finally finds 

 snug quarters on the underside of some board or stone, 

 and there it spins a thick cocoon, shaped like a slender 

 jug without a handle. The silk of the cocoon is white 

 and with it is mixed a yellowish white powder. Once 

 within the cocoon the caterpillar sheds its skin, and it 

 now appears as an oblong, smooth object, very little 

 like a caterpillar in shape. This is its pupa state, and 

 during this time it develops within itself its wings and 

 various other adult organs. In about three weeks 

 the pupa skin bursts open and the insect crawls 

 from the cocoon, a pretty moth with dull yellowish 

 or reddish brown wings and with two whitish stripes 

 across each front wing. The adult moths usually 

 appear the last of June or the first of July and soon 

 afterward the mother moth lays her eggs. 



There are several ways of protecting our orchards 

 from the ravages of this caterpillar. A common way 

 is by destroying the webs with a torch. It is neces- 

 sary to apply the torch on dark or stormy days, so 

 that the little inmates may be destroyed with their 

 tent. But nowadays we trust to spraying. We must 

 spray as soon as the apples are out of blossom 

 for the codling moth and the apple scab, and this spray settling on the 

 leaves usually kills the apple tent-caterpillars very early in their career. 



Apple-tree tent-cater- 

 pillars 



LESSON FOR THE PUPILS 



Method. — This is one of the most valuable and interesting lessons for 

 the spring term. The pupils should search for the egg masses during the 

 winter or early spring, while the boughs are bare. The picture will show 

 them what to look for. These egg masses may be brought to the school 

 and left out of doors so they will not hatch too early. In April bring in 

 twigs from apple or pear trees, place them in water, and place the twigs 

 with the eggs among them. After the worms hatch, fresh apple leaves 

 should be given them. If they seem inclined to wander, confine them in 

 a box made of mosquito netting tacked to a frame. Meanwhile the 



