196 Psyche [December 



the "sugar" well into the bark, and have it about the height of 

 the shoulders from the ground. The "sugar" being very thick is 

 not easily absorbed by the bark and trickles down very slowly. 



The next and most important point is to select a proper place 

 to "sugar." We first tried "sugaring" along the paths of a large 

 wood-lot where the large trees had been thinned out until they 

 were on an average about 10 feet apart. There was, however, 

 very heavy underbrush. The results here were so discouraging 

 that even Mr. Reiff was inclined to admit that "sugaring" in 

 America seemed to be more or less a failure, but he maintained 

 that the place was not ideal, so we hunted for a better spot. 

 Finally we found at Concord, Massachusetts, a large woods in 

 which about eight acres had been thinned out until the large 

 trees were about 8 to 12 feet apart and without underbrush. 

 This place was intersected by several well-worn paths and was 

 surrounded on all sides by dense forest extending for a consider- 

 able distance in all directions. The trees have an average diameter 

 of about 8 inches, and are mostly white and red oaks, with a few 

 pines, birches, maples and hickories scattered here and there. 



On September 14th we made our first attempt at this place and 

 had such gratifying results that we have been "sugaring" there at 

 least once a week since that time. On no trip have we secured 

 less than fifty specimens each and on October 19th we each secured 

 over 200 perfect specimens of about 30 different species. At all 

 times we made it a point to apply the "sugar" to the trees right 

 after sunset and then waited until it w^as quite dark (about 20 to 

 30 minutes after sugaring last tree), before wx lighted our "Bulls- 

 eye" lanterns. The lantern should be held carefully so that the 

 rays of light shine steadily on the trees, for flitting lights and 

 shadows scare the insects from the sugar. Another important 

 point is to approach the sugar directly in front and not from one 

 side. As you approach the tree it is wxll to notice carefully just 

 what species are resting there, and then try to secure the new and 

 rare specimens first, for at times it is possible to secure only very 

 few of those that are sipping the sweets. Just what causes this 

 restlessness of the insects at times we were unable to determine. 

 October 12th and 19th were two almost identical days, both fairly 

 warm (about 55° in the evening). On the 12th a very heavy fog 

 • hung over the laiid making it difficult at times to distinguish 



