Appendix. 137 



it is partial to the codling moth, or in fact that it ever feeds on the moth 

 to any great extent. In Great Britain where the Kohlmeise is also a 

 resident and generally distributed, its presence has not been sufficient to 

 exterminate the codling moth or even to hold this pest in- check. On the 

 other hand, it is said to attack small and weakly birds, splitting open 

 their skulls with its beak to get at the brains, and doing more or less 

 damage to fruit, particularly pears. One English observer reported that 

 all the pears in his garden had to be enclosed in muslin bags to protect 

 them from the birds which would otherwise eat a considerable part of the 

 fruit before it was ripe. Another reported that the great titmouse spoiled 

 most of a limited crop of apples, and then began on the pears, boring a 

 small hole near the stem, and passing from one pear to another until every 

 one of forty or fifty trees had been damaged. It also attacked figs, scooping 

 them out before they were ripe." In this country the Kohlmeise might not 

 develop the undesirable traits it has exhibited in England; but its char- 

 acter is not above suspicion. Far better to expend our energies in pro- 

 tecting and fostering the birds we have, than in introducing one that 

 might itself become a pest. Well cultivated and well pruned orchards, free 

 from weeds and seeds and underbrush, are not attractive places to birds, 

 and it is at least doubtful whether the Kohlmeise would remain in them. 

 In Germany, where it is said to do the most good, there are practically no 

 commercial orchards. 



I believe there is little prospect that any practical benefit will come 

 from the introduction of foreign enemies of the codling moth, or from 

 attempts to increase the usefulness of those already present. The "strenu- 

 ous life" of the fruitgrower alone will protect his fruit. He must be per- 

 sistent in the use of the best known remedies. The most successful 

 orchardists of the state now rely almost wholly upon spraying. 



THE CODLIXG MOTII AKD LATE SPRAYING. 



The fundamental fact that must be considered by those who aim to 

 control the codling moth by spraying, is that in this western country the 

 larvae are very abundant late in the season. In the Willamette valley, 

 and I believe the same is true in the other apple-growing regions of the 

 state, the greatest loss from codling moth injury occurs after August 1. 

 This fact necessitates a radical departure from the practice which has 

 given such satisfactory results in the east. 



Since Cook* first demonstrated the value of the arsenical sprays as a 

 preventive of codling moth injury to apples, early spraying has been the 

 almost universal practice, alike of the fruitgrower and the entomologist. 

 "Apply early, just after the blossoms fall," wrote Cook; and the advice 

 has been echoed — and followed — ever since. The test of years has only 

 served to demonstrate its value. It has been worth millions of dollars to 

 apple growers all over the land. Professor Cook found this one application 

 so effective that he doubted whether it would be best or necessary to make 

 another. Subsequent experience did not fully sustain his expectations. 



* Am. Entomologist, Vol. Ill, ISSO. 



