he Po ee nD On or Noy Ay Ls) 
242 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
1872, however, while lecturing at Cornell University, I noticed that it — 
was unusually abundant around Ithaca, and it was there reported as 
doing considerable injury to the rose bushes and other shrubs. The fol- 
lowing letters from correspondents will, also, show that Harris’s verdict 
which is that of all other standard authors, can no longer be considered 
correct: 
Inclosed find specimens, male and female, of an insect which is proving to be a 
scourge. About the middle of June I discovered, mostly on standing grass, this same 
insect, only very much smaller, of a light pea-green color, but not in sufficient num- 
bers to be thought of as a pest. I noticed about August 15, in the reservation of young 
timber, mostly white oak and hickory, a few trees having the appearance ef being 
burned just enough to kill the leaves. On closer investigation I found many of these 
insects devouring the leaves. Later, I judge at least 25 acres were completely stripped 
of foliage; as much so as if fire had ran through the wood and killed every tree. 
They seemed to have no choice as to what variety of timber they attacked. There 
were many in my peach orchard and lawn. On single trees, far removed from my tim- 
ber lot, they were as thick as could well be, in many places in heajis. Fences adjoin- 
ing the timber were fairly covered with them. They have been known for years in 
this vicinity, but were heretofore always considered harmless. From present appear- 
ances they are greatly to be feared as a scourge, consequently anything relating to 
them will be read with great interest. I hear from them in Florida, but not in such 
numbers as here.—[G. C. Snow, Yates County, New York, in New York Weekly Trib- 
une, November 11, 1874. ] 
About forty years ago my father set out a grove of locust trees for fencing purposes, 
at the foot of a rocky, wooded hill. The trees throve, and for years have furnished 
the farm with posis and stakes. When they were young we began to notice on them, 
now and then, the insects known as ‘‘ Walking-sticks,” and some fifteen years ago 
they began to increase rapidly, appearing in summer on the locusts, to which at first 
they seemed to confine themselves, entirely stripping them of their leaves, and have 
done so every second year since. 
The locusts have nearly all succumbed to the repeated attacks of these repulsive- 
looking pests, which have for some time extended their operations to the adjoiming 
native trees, most kinds of which they feed upon ravenously. 
Lhave never by observation been able to discover when or where the eggs are de- 
posited, nor can I find more than a description of the inseci in any book within my 
reach. Will you throw a little light on the subject, and can you suggest any method 
of destroying these pestiferous walking-sticks ?—[R. E. R. Ferrisburgh, Vt., in Rural 
New Yorker, November 7, 1874.] 
In June last we gave an account of a remarkable visitation of myriads of the in- 
sect known as the walking-siick (Spectrum femoratum) in Yates County, New York, 
and asked for information as to the appearance elsewhere. The following from Mz. 
E. H. Conklin, Cumberland Connty, Pennsylvania, is the first response, which we 
hope may call out others. Mr. C. says: ‘This insect, though not at all common, and 
seldom numerous, has made its annual appearance in our peach orchards for forty 
years, and only once in this time have they been so numerous as to be injurious. In 
this instance, which was about ten years ago, these insects denuded a row of locust 
trees that formed a shelter on the northwest sido of a peach orchard. For halfa 
dozen rods from this locust row the peach trees were also stripped of their leaves. 
Preyicus to this time we neyer saw them on any other trees except the peach. Asto 
color some are light-green, and others brown, amongst male and female. The female 
bas a much heayier body than the male.—[ American Agriculiurist, August, 1877.] 
A further account of great injury to oak timber by this insect on Mr. 
Snow’s farm was given in the American Agriculturist for June, 1877, 
and when applications were made through the editor of the said journal 
for more definite information and for some practical recommendations, 
So little was any one able to comply with such a request, I deemed the 
Inaiter of sufficient interest and importance to warrant further investi- 
gation. A couple of visits to Esperange farm enabled me to clear up 
the insect’s natural history, and suggested, as the sequel will show, a 
simple and feasible means of preventing its injuries. 
Mv. Snow has about 50 acres of woodland, consisting of fine young 
trees, mostly the second growth of hickory, and of different species of 
Oak. In 1874 the +rees on about 25 acres were totally defoliated. In 
