158 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



ber under the middle bands is quite significant as showing that very few 

 passed three bands either from above or below. 



Professor LeBaron, after some very admirable experiments with bands, con- 

 cluded that only one-half the larvae ever reach the ground. 



Both Prof. Beal and Mr. Garfield have examined closely the past season, and 

 both gentlemen found that a majority of the apples were deserted before fall- 

 ing from the trees. 



Thus we see that hogs, though good, especially where orchards are not free 

 from stumps, or are not kept clean, can never more than supplement the 

 better remedy. Then, Mr. President, shall we as a society adopt a wise course 

 if "we make swine our clarion note, while a far better remedy is in easy reach of 

 all ? Or shall "we not the rather give to the hogs the minor key, while bands 

 shall sound out clear from the major. 



BANDS. 



lb is gratifying to me to find that all who have been wise and used the 

 bands, finally adopt what have from the first seemed best to me. The woolen 

 cloth bands, four or five inches wide, and passed once around the tree and 

 fastened with a long tack, which is not driven fully to the head. 



WHEN AND HOW TO MANAGE THE BANDS. 



The bands should be adjusted by the 20th of June, as very soon after this 

 the larvEe will commence to leave the apples. The first examination should be 

 made the first week of July, which, very likely, in late seasons may be fruitless, 

 though so early an examination is safest. If such trees as the Early Harvest 

 are first examined, we may soon learn if we are too early. It is very evident 

 that the period between successive examinations should never exceed the 

 briefest period of pupation. And Prof. Beal's experiments the past season of 

 excessive heat, prove that twelve days is too long. Bands cleared entirely of 

 cocoons, and then examined in twelve days again, revealed many empty pupa 

 skins, showing that the bird had flown. So we say examine every ten days. 

 As all the first brood have developed by the last week of August, and as the 

 second brood do not leave the cocoon till the next year, no examination need 

 be made after the last week of August till early winter, when a last thorough 

 -examination should be made. 



To recapitulate : adjust the bands June 20th, and examine the same July 

 .8th, 18th, 28th, August 7th, 17th, 27th, and December 1st. 



HOW TO DESTROY THE LARV^. 



Upon thorough consideration of the subject, I think there is no way of des- 

 troying the larvae equal to that of withdrawing the tack, carefully unwinding 

 the band, and crushing all larvae and pupas with the fingers. Prof. Beal agrees 

 with me that for safety and speed there is no method equal to the above. 



Of course all good pomologists will keep the rough bark all scraped off; this 

 may be done at any season of the year. Smooth trees are most benefited by 

 the washing with soap-suds, the first of June, which no one can afiford to omit. 

 Of course without the removal of the rough bark the bands will not do their 

 full work. Clean culture, and the removal of all wood, boards, etc., beneath 

 the trees is very important; especially if we dispense with the hog-trap. Those 

 who have not yet used the bands should seek out and destroy the larvae under 

 the rough bark of their trees during the winter, while all should destroy all of 

 the larvae which may have hidden in crevices about their apple bins and bar- 



