WINTER MOTH. 67 



This advance has been the work of years, and the result of observa- 

 tions of many orchard growers ; but in especial it appears to me that 

 we are indebted for much well-authenticated information to the work 

 of the Experimental Committee of the Evesham Fruit Growers. 

 Under their care experiments were carried on, according to definite 

 rule, and the results examined and reported on at their successive 

 meetings on the large grounds of the different members where tbey 

 had been carried out, and measures recommended accordingly. Thus 

 we have well-skilled and thoroughly practical opinions to go on, and 

 the Report of their operations during 1890, published early in the 

 present year, is well worth perusal.* 



In my own 12th, 13th, and 14th Annual Reports the histories of 

 orchard moths and means for their prevention are entered on at great 

 length, with information from many observers, especially bearing, in 

 the 13th Report, on details of sticky banding, and various kinds of 

 washes ; and, in the 14th, on the great advance made by adoption of 

 use of Paris-green spraying, together with the requisite directions for 

 its safe and successful application.! 



Under these circumstances I have endeavoured, in the following 

 paper, to take up (with some requisite exception to save trouble in 

 reference) only points which have been little brought forward ; and 

 first amongst these are notes showing that the condition of the moths 

 and their subsequent egg-laying did not appear to have been influenced 

 by the winter cold. 



The observations of orchard insects of the past season were com- 

 menced by the following notes sent me, on Jan. 30th, by Mr. Thomas 

 E. Doeg, of Evesham, which are of much interest, both as showing the 

 capability of the orchard moths for appearing so late in the season, 

 and also that they were in no way injured or deterred from appearance 

 on the first mild evening by the very severe cold term which had pre- 

 ceded the date of the observations. 



It will be seen that the two kinds of moths noticed as being taken 

 on trunks of Apples and Plums are the Winter Moth, C. brumata, and 

 the Mottled Umber Moth, H. defoliaria. The moth named as being 

 found in great numbers on the hedgerow, namely, Hybemia rupi- 

 capraria, is the kind popularly known as the " Early Moth," of which 

 the eggs are said to be laid in February on Whitethorn, Blackthorn, 



* 'Eeport of the Evesham Fruit Pests Committee,' pp. 55, price 6d. Printed 

 by W. and H. Smith, Bridge Street, Evesham. 



t 'Reports of Injurious Insects,' by E. A. Ormerod, price Is. 6d. each. Pub- 

 lished by Messrs. Simpkin & Co., Stationers' Hall Court, London, E.C. I have also 

 issued a short 8vo pamphlet of eight pages, with full directions for use of Paris- 

 green, which I should be happy to forward gratuitously to any applicant desiring it 

 for practical service. 



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