8 



to fill a gap in point of time in the life of the insect. These are mat- 

 ters which we hope to decide by future correspondence and iuves 

 tigation. 



None of the previous writers give us an inkling as to the number of 

 broods, but judging from the rapid development above indicated there 

 should be six or eight generations in the course of a season provided 

 food is at hand. It is altogether likely that the arsenical remedies will 

 be of no effect on account of the fact that the eggs are probably inserted 

 beneath the skin of the fruit and not fastened to it. 



The subject derives an especial interest from the danger of the im- 

 portation of this pest into the peach-growing regions of our Southern 

 States. It is beyond doubt a tropical insect, and there is consequently 

 reason to believe that it will not thrive in the Northern States, but 

 peaches are grown extensively in Georgia and allied fruits in Florida, 

 and although peaches are not received from Bermuda in bulk the acci- 

 dental importation of the pest is always possible. 



NOTES UPON THE CANKER WORM. 



By Prof. C. W. Hargitt, Oxford, Ind. 



I learned during the past winter that a large orchard (apple) in the 

 vicinity of Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, was subject to very serious rav- 

 ages from some caterpillar, which from the general description from 

 one not accustomed to close observation, I suspected might be Ctisio- 

 caiupa sylvatica. Having no means at hand of determining the matter 

 definitely, I asked to be notified at once if they made their appearance 

 the following spring. On June 5, I had notice that the depredations 

 were under way and at the earliest available moment I secured convey- 

 ance, and on the 9th drove to the orchard, some 4 miles distant. 

 When nearly a mile from the place a very strange sight appeared. The 

 orchard looked as if it had been burned and scorched by fire, except a 

 small corner extending some distance diagonally from the main orchard, 

 and the outer rows of trees. These, except upon a side adjoining a wood, 

 were comparatively free from injury. Upon entering the orchard a sad 

 sight was presented. Many trees were dead, the result of previous 

 attacks. Others were evidently dying, and the entire orchard, with 

 the exception above mentioned, was very greatly damaged. We were 

 doomed to disappointment so far as being able to find the various stages 

 of the devastating work. The worms had, in the language of the owner, 

 "run their course;" and it was with difficulty that enough specimens 

 could be found for identification. 



From the owner, Mr. C. C. McCreary, I was able to gather the fol- 

 lowing points : ( I ) The depredations had been going on during a series 

 of about five years, and growing worse each year. (2) They appeared 



