THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 2i39 



special requirements are can only be decided by tests with the several 

 fertilizers and are probably not ascertainable by soil analysis. These 

 conclusions are somewhat revolutionary, but I believe that they may be 

 properly deducted from the experiments discussed, that they are sub- 

 stantiated by experiments elsewhere, and that they are abundantly con- 

 firmed in fruit-growing: experiences. 



I can not close without further emphasizing the importance in 

 orcharding of paj'ing attention to all the factors which contribute to 

 plant growth as well as to the supply of food. Such factors as moisture, 

 soil temperature, aeration and the texture of the soil must not be 

 neglected. Any of these, as well as the supply of food, or any com- 

 bination of them, may be the factor wliich limits the yield in an apple 

 orchard. Moisture is often the limiting factor, in my opinion most often 

 the limiting factor, carrying away plant foods in open soils and restrict- 

 ing the root run on heavy soils: in I'itlicr case the plant may starve 

 though food be pi-csent. because there is not opportunity for the plant 

 to take up the nutritive solution in sufficient quantity. It is only when 

 the water supply is perfectly adjusted that there can be a fair test of 

 the plant food resources of a soil. The same is true in a lesser degree 

 of the other factors named. 



Tn closing, it is Jny hope that this paper, much of it contrary to 

 established teachings and practices, has not confused .vou. Beside giv- 

 ing you l)i-icfly flic results of several long cdutinued experiments with 

 fertilizers for fruits, I have tried to present as best I could the latest 

 teachings of science for the better understanding of the experiments. 

 The accounts of the discoveries made by science in this field, it is hoped, 

 will show you tliat fertility is a problem to be solved step by step and 

 not a riddle to be guessed. Lastly, I hope my paper has given you, 

 happy gift, a desire to know more of the many interacting forces rep- 

 resented in a crop of fruits. 



OAK PESTS THE CARPENTER WORM. 



(Prioiio.i-i/st iifi rohiiiiii J 



Order — Lepidoptera. Family — Cossidae. 



By Lerot Childs, Assistant Secretary State Commission of Horticulture. 



The California live oaks, as well as poplars, willows, locusts and elms, 

 are in many localities attacked and greatly daniaged through the 

 presence of a large lepidopterous larva feeding in the trunks and larger 

 limbs. The pest in question is known in its larval .stage as the carpenter 

 worm, so called from the fact that in carrying on its feeding operations 

 it shows utter disrespect for hard plant tissues, where it will be found 

 making great cavities in both the cambium and heart wood. The adult 

 moth is known in many places as the goat moth, so named because of the 

 peculiar goat-like odor that is given off by the insect. From the fact, 

 however, that the adult insects are seldom seen, the former name would 

 appear to be a better one, for many are no doubt familiar with the 

 insect's feeding habits, and the title as given is indeed fitting. 



The infestation is for the most part confined to the trunks of the 

 trees, though occasionally, especially in trees which have been long 

 infested, the worms will be found burrowing in the larger limbs 



