13 



Department of Agricvilture, 



Division of Entomology, 



Washington, D.C., July 8, 1879. 

 Mr. F. Abbott, Botanical Gardens, Tasmania. 



Dear Sir, — Your letter to Commissioner Le Due, containing questions con- 

 cerning the Codling Moth has been referred to me. 



The following is an epitome of the life history of this moth, Carpocapsa 

 pomonella : — 



The adult moth appears in early summer and lays its eggs on apples and 

 pears, laying them singly in the blossom end of the fruit. 



The larva, when hatched, eats its way to the core, usually causing the frviit 

 to fall prematurely. When full grown, the larva burrows out through the 

 side of the fruit, and undergoes its transformations within a cocoon, under 

 the rough bark of a tree, or in some other protected place. This species 

 is both single and double brooded. 



The larvce winter in their cocoons, transforming to pupae during early spring. 



The remedies are as follows : — Pick up and destroy the infested fruit as 

 soon as it falls, or allow hogs to feed upon it ; but by far the most effectual 

 remedy is to trap the larvre by pro\'iding a i^lace for them to spin their 

 cocoons. This may be done in many ways ; the most effectual way is to in\t 

 a band of hay or other material around the trunk of the tree. The trees 

 should be scraped to remove the rough bark before the bands are apjilied, so 

 that the larvce will have no other refuge than the bands. The bands should 

 be put upon the trees as soon as the apples begin to fall, and should be ex- 

 amined every two vv^eeks and all the pupae killed ; this process should be 

 repeated until tlie last apples are harvested in the fall. We use heavy coarse 

 paper for band material, and either tie or tack them around the tree trunks. 

 To have this remedy prove a perfect success concerted action is necessary 

 among the neighbouring pomologists, as the moths fly from one orchard to 

 another, more or less. As an instance of what concerted action can do, I will 

 cite the experience of the Peninsula Farmers' Club or Grand Traverse, Mich. 

 This club i)assed resolutions that all the orchards on the peninsula should be 

 bandaged. In case the owners would not attend to it, the club bandaged 

 the trees for them. The result was that although before they began seventy- 

 five per cent. (75/100) of thek fiiiit was destroyed by the Codling I.Ioth, after 

 three years' ti-ial only five per cent. (5/100) was lost in that way. I feel quite 

 confident that a similar experiment would succeed mth you. 



I should add that the orchards should be cleared of rubbish (old boards, 

 etc.), that would afford hiding places for the pupa?. 



The first remedy spoken of is only partially succesful, because about half 

 the larvce leave tlie apples before they fall, and crawl down the tree to find 

 places to make their cocoons. 



Yours, etc., 



J. PIenry Comstock, 



Entomologist. 



In the absence of the author, the Secretarv read a paper of consider- 

 able scieutitic interest, by Mr. E. M. Johnston, F.L.S., entitled 

 " Notes on the relations of the Yellow Limestone (Travertin) of Geilston 

 Bay, Hobart Town, with other flnviatile and lacustrine deposits in 

 Tasmania and Australi;^, together with descriptions of two new fossil 

 Helices." Regret was expressed for the writer's absence, as the 

 Chairman noticed several of the points referred to by Mr. Johnston, 

 which he thought were new, and would have afforded subjects for 

 discussion. 



A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr, Johnston, and thanks 

 having been voted to the donors of presentations, the meeting closed. 



