228 LIME. 



Prevention and Eemedies. — The method of getting rid of 

 the caterpilhirs that is chiefly recommended is to shake the 

 infested boughs ; it is stated that, on this being done, they 

 fall down " in a perfect shower" (E. N.) ; and when attack is 

 found to have begun, this plan should be adopted at once. 



Any method by which the boughs or infested twigs can be 

 shaken will answer, such as jarring the larger boughs with a 

 pole, or throwing sticks or handfuls of gravel at such parts as 

 may be out of reach ; but a better plan would be for a man to 

 go up the tree, and, by means of a strong pole furnished at 

 the end with a worn-down birch-besom, to shake all the 

 infested boughs thoroughly, beginning at the uppermost and 

 working downwards, so as to shake off the caterpillars that 

 may have lodged in falling on the lower branches. The 

 addition of this worn-down stump at the end of the pole 

 makes it a much more effective instrument, for, by using it 

 upright, the smaller boughs can be lifted up sharply, to come 

 down with a jerk ; or a heavy blow can be given that will 

 shake all twigs near without any injury to the tree, whilst in 

 the case of the sharp knock of hard wood on soft bark given 

 by the pole, much harm is apt to be done. 



Before beginning the operation, a good thick band of hay 

 or straw, or cloth well tarred, should be put round the foot of 

 the tree, to prevent the caterpillars getting up it again ; for 

 directly they reach the ground they start on their return 

 journey towards the trunk, and, unless they are stopped, will 

 soon be once more at work on the leaves. All that fall to the 

 ground should be crushed with the foot, or killed in whatever 

 way may be most convenient ; and where a tree is much 

 infested it would be worth while to spread large cloths or 

 pieces of tarpaulin, or anything that might be preferred, 

 beneath it, upon which they would fall, and from which they 

 might be collected more easily than from the grass. 



The large size of this insect in all its stages and its habits 

 throws it open to attack. " At the beginning of June these 

 singular moths may be frequently found coupled in pairs on 

 the trunks of Lime, Elm, and other trees, or on the herbage 

 below them ; the truncate heads and closely-convolute wings 

 giving each pair the appearance of a single piece of dead and 

 dried stick." — (' British Moths,' by Edward Newman.) 



By destroying the moths at this stage many future broods 

 are got rid of. The chrysalids may be collected by children 

 for a few pence, under or near trees where the caterpillars 

 have been numerous ; and poultry also are of service, as they 

 will search eagerly for them. 



When the caterpillars are about to change, they are so 

 conspicuous, from their bright colouring, large size, and 



