72 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF KANSAS. 



ing, followed with constant cultivation, will produce a strong, vigorous 

 growth, which of itself is the most complete safeguard against the at- 

 tacks of this borer. 



If through ignorance or neglect trees already planted have become 

 infested during the year previous, the only method of combating it is 

 to destroy the beetle as soon as it comes forth from its burrow. The 

 time, as stated, of its first appearance is the last of May; and at this 

 time the search should begin, and be kept up unceasingly and thor- 

 oughly through the season, or until the last one has been captured 

 and destroyed. As alleged in deduction No. 5, the beetle is active 

 only during the middle of sunny days, and in the morning and evening 

 and during cloudy and stormy days it is sluggish. A touch even, or a 

 jarring of the trees will frequently cause it to drop to the ground, and, 

 opossom-like, it will appear as dead for a moment, and is easily killed. 

 But in the middle of the day, when the sun has warmed it, it is very 

 active and quick to run, often taking to the wing to escape at the first 

 approach of man. However, if approached from the opposite side of 

 the tree, a quick slap of the hand, covering it, will destroy in most 

 attempts. Generally it will be found upon the southern side of the 

 tree, basking in the sun's warmth, though at the approach of man it 

 will often quickly glide to the opposite side to conceal itself from sight. 

 All sides should be carefully examined. 



Your committee would especially call your attention to deductions 

 Nos. 2 and 4. In No. 2 it is stated that sun-scalds are favorite spots, 

 inviting the attack of this borer, and in No. 4, that it does not seek, 

 nor can endure, a continual shade. These two facts furnish a strong 

 argument in favor of low heads and a shady growth as requisites 

 of successful orcharding in this climate, as sun-scalds seldom occur 

 upon trees of such a form, nor will such a growth furnish congenial 

 conditions for the existence of the progeny of the flat-heads. As it is 

 not presumable that all the beetles will be captured, it will become 

 necessary to examine the trees for the purpose of destroying the worms 

 hatched from the eggs which the uncaptured beetle may deposit. To 

 detect their whereabouts is to the inexperienced quite a difficult under- 

 taking. Until late in summer or early in autumn, no external marks 

 indicate their presence save a small speck, or sometimes a dark line, 

 so fine that they will not attract the attention of those not understand- 

 ing the cause as being anything injurious to the trees. It will be nec- 

 essary for such persons to examine into every unnatural-looking spot 

 the eye may detect. Experience will soon remove the necessity for so 

 close and careful examination and enable one to detect what are the 

 reliable markings indicating their presence. In this work a sharp 

 knife is all that is needed, if begun in proper time, as they will be found 

 in and just under the bark, until about September 1, when the first 

 ones hatched will commence to penetrate the wood. In cases where 

 they have entered the wood, a probe made of common broom wire is 

 all-sufficient with which to thrust them through or drag them from 

 their holes. If, after several thrusts, a milky substance is discovered 



