72 > FARMERS’ BULLETIN 564. 
HAND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 
The brown-tail moth can be controlled by cutting off the winter 
webs and burning them before the caterpillars begin to emerge in 
April. These webs should be destroyed by fire, for if they are simply 
cut from the tree and left on the ground the caterpillars will emerge 
and no benefit will result from the work which has been done. 
In orchard practice it is sometimes inadvisable to cut the winter 
webs, for where an infestation is bad it is likely to leave a poorly 
shaped tree. Spraying in the spring is not a satisfactory remedy 
unless the infestation is very hght, because the caterpillars, when 
they occur in large numbers, do not allow the tree to put out suffi- 
cient foliage to hold the spray material. The most effective method 
is to spray the trees before the middle of August, using from 6 to 10 
pounds of arsenate of lead to 100 gallons of water. Before spraying 
operations of this sort are attempted care should be taken to deter- 
mine whether the trees are well infested with egg masses of the 
brown-tail moth, for if the infestation is very slight it will be more 
satisfactory to cut and destroy the webs. If the infestation war- 
rants, both shade, ornamental, and fruit trees may be sprayed to 
advantage at this time. Caution should be used, however, in spray- 
ing fruit trees, particularly if early fall varieties are to be treated. 
If this is to be done a somewhat weaker spray solution may be used, 
provided it is apphed as soon as the caterpillars begin to hatch. The 
foliage should be treated thoroughly, particularly the terminal shoots, 
und as much care as possible should be exercised not to cover the 
fruit. Late fall or winter varieties of fruit may be sprayed in 
August with arsenate of lead, using 6 pounds to 100 gallons of water, 
und although an occasional spot may be found on the fruit at the 
time of picking no injury will result from it. In cases where onlv 
a few choice fruit trees are to be sprayed it is practicable to wipe 
the fruit before packing for sale; but this is not necessary if care 
is taken to treat the terminal growth of the trees, as this is where the 
bulk of the egg clusters is deposited. 
GENERAL HAND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE GIPSY MOTH. 
Creosote—One of the best methods of controlling the gipsy moth 
is to treat the egg clusters of the insect between August 1 and April 1 
with creosote, to which a small amount of lampblack has been added. 
This mixture is applied with a brush, and it leaves a black residue on 
the clusters treated. Creosote may be obtained in small quantities 
from nearly all the large hardware or seed stores in the infested dis- 
trict, where it usually sells for about 35 cents a gallon. If secured 
in larger quantities a much lower price can be obtained. 
