186 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
collecting of the eggs is best done when the trees are leafless and the 
sky clear or covered with whitish clouds. A little experience will enable 
one to detect the egg belts very readily. There are several methods of 
destroying the young caterpillars in their nests. ‘The most effective way 
is by crushing them with the hands, mittens may be worn if preferred, as 
suggested by Dr Fitch. If the nests are attended to early in the season, 
the operation is quickly and thoroughly done, as most of them are within 
reach of a short ladder. ‘The nests may be torn out with a brush, a dry 
mullen stalk or other arrangement and their occupants crushed on the 
ground. This is not so thorough as crushing the caterpillars while on 
the tree. Another method is burning the nests by the use of rags soaked in 
kerosene and tied to a pole or other form of a torch. When the flames 
are brought under the nests, the occupants escape so far as possible by 
dropping. It is seldom that every caterpillar on the tree is destroyed by 
this means. Not only do a number escape, but in many cases the trees 
suffer severe injury, the entire branch beyond the nest being killed by 
the fire. It would be better to cut off the branches bearing nests, as is 
done by some, and then destroy the caterpillars either by fire or by 
crushing them. 
Bibliography 
Fabricius, J. C. Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta. 
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Harris, T. W. Insects injurious to vegetation [1841]. 3d ed. 1862. 
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Emmons, Ebenezer. Natural history of New York. Agriculture. 
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