if 
and alder. In Massachusetts we have noticed it more particularly as 
destroying ornamental poplars and willows. There are many loeali- 
ties, particularly along our coast, where cottagers are dependent 
almost entirely for shade upon the Balm of Gilead poplar and one or 
two species of willow. These trees, brittle at their best, when rid- 
dled by burrows of the weevil become easy victims of ice storms. 
The remedial measures most in favor are the destruction of the 
grubs by hand in the fall or winter. Where a tree is badly infested 
it is hardly worth while to attempt to preserve it. Such trees should 
be cut and burned, and in their places should be planted the silver 
maple, three-thorned acacia, or other species, that thrive in damp 
localities. 
DROUGHT, HEAT, AND INSECT LIFE. 
By Mary E. MURTFELDT, Kirkwood, Mo. 
Probably few localities in the Mississippi Valley have suffered so 
greatly from prevailing atmospheric conditions as has the suburb of 
Kirkwood during the present summer. Following an unusually dry 
spring there has been no appreciable rainfall since a brief, but heavy, 
shower on the 12th of June. Even of the two or three light showers 
that visited our city (St. Louis), but a few miles distant, scarcely a 
drop, or but a mere sprinkle, extended to Kirkwood. For many suc- 
cessive days the mercury ranged from 100° to 110° in the shade, and 
for only about six days since the middle of June has the maximum 
temperature fallen below 90°. 
Under such conditions it would seem inevitable that insect life must 
be much affected. My personal observations, although extending over 
a very limited area, indicate that this is the case. Early in the spring 
Aphididz of many species and in incomputable numbers occurred on 
grain and all varieties of fruit trees and threatened destruction to 
many choice ernamental shrubs. These insects would naturally be 
reduced as the season progressed, but usually some estivating indi- 
viduals or forms can be found by the close observer. At present, 
however, the most careful examination fails to reveal evidence of any 
persisting species. 
Cutworms, which were very destructive upon early vegetables in 
spring, find now no cultivated plants and no succulent weeds upon 
which to feed, nor have any species of the moths been noted for many 
weeks. The ‘‘corn ear-worm” or ‘‘ tomato fruit-worm” of this region 
(Heliothis armiger) does not find for miles around either of these 
plants for its sustenance and ean not, it seems to me, fail to be so 
reduced in numbers as to be practically innoxious for at least one or 
two succeeding seasons. 
~Curculio and codling moth, following a season in which both stone 
and pip fruits were practically a failure hereabout, are scarcely at all 
in evidence in the dwarfed and flavorless apples, pears, and peaches 
tisss— Nor 3i—01-——7 - 
