STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 367 



their regular meals are fiuislied. They take two meals a day, 

 generally between 9 and 12 A. m. and 3 and 6 p. m. They get 

 their growth about the middle of June, when they separate from 

 each other, wander about for a while and then get into some 

 place for shelter and make their cocoons, after which they are 

 finally transformed into moths or perfect insects, when they de- 

 posit their eggs, just as the preceding generation had done. 



The remedies are, first, look over the trees in the latter part 

 of winter and destroy all clusters of eggs wherever discovered; 

 second, destroy the nests wherever found. This can be done 

 readily with a long mullein stalk (a plant that is apt to be 

 found in abundance upon farms where this worm has been un- 

 disturbed), or a brush of twigs affixed to a long pole. When the 

 caterpillars are beaten to the ground they can be crushed or as 

 they collect together on the trunks in their last moulting period 

 they can be slaughtered in great number. While young and 

 tender they may be crushed in their nests by using a brush, 

 small mop, or sponge affixed to a long handle and it will be all 

 the more effectual if frequently dipped into a bucket of soap 

 suds or whitewash during the operation. 



The apple curculio or gouger was more numerous and dam- 

 aging than ever before known. In some orchards three-fourths 

 of the fruit was nearly ruined by them. Space will not permit 

 me more than to allude to them. Unless remedies are soon 

 adopted for their destruction the growing of apples will have to 

 be abandoned. 



The codling moth is on the decline; the proportion of wormy 

 apples was much less than usual; probably some parasite is prey- 

 ing upon them. 



Aphis of several species were unusually numerous and injuri- 

 ous; plum trees suffered severely fiom their attacks. 



The grape vine flee beetle and grape curculio, both put in 

 their work and did great damage; they need investigating. 



Every variety of fruit we grow has it insect enemies, and as it 

 seems our State is too poor to employ an entomologist to study 

 them up and impart needful instruction on methods for heading 

 them off, our farmers will soon have to purchase their supply of 

 fruits or go without. 



The following paper was then read : 



