155 



"The larva during the last fall of its life eats voraciously until cold 

 weather. It then houses itself carefully away until spring. As soon 

 as the weather becomes mild it begins to cut a cylindrical burrow 

 from three to six inches long, usually up the trunk of the tree but 

 sometimes directly through it, ending it just under the outside bark, 

 leaving the bark about the thickness of writing paper. It then 

 draws back about an inch, places some coarse chips before and behind 

 it, and passes into the pupa state. 



"In the pupa state the Saperda is inactive. While in this state it 

 is oftener attacked and destroyed by its, (^ far as I have observed) 

 only natural enemy, one of the smaller wood-peckers. But as this 

 bird only destroys them after all their mischief is done it results m 

 no great benefit. After remaining in the pupa state from two to six 

 weeks it changes into the imago or perfect state. 



Although the attacks of this species are directed chiefly against 

 the apple-tree, yet according to Dr. Harris and others, it is frequently 

 found injuring the quince, mountain-ash, hawthorn and other thorn 

 bushes, the June berry or shad bush and other allied species. 



REMEDiES.-It is unnecessary for us to give a list of the various 

 remedies which have been proposed for this troublesome specie but 

 in addition to that proposed by Mr. Wier we may give the following 

 as affording the best promise of success : 



It appears from experience that trees trained low so that the branches 

 shadeTe trunk, anc\ that are healthy thrifty growers are »1« haUe 

 to the attack both of the Saperda and Buprestis than those with ex- 

 posed trunks or that are feeble growers. _ 



As a means of preventing the beetle from depositing ; its > eggs be 

 rubbish should be cleared away from the base of to**™* 1 *™ 

 spring and early summer months, especially during May and June 

 and during these months occasional applications of soap shoul be 

 made For this purpose soft soap should be used and should be rubbed 

 on the lower pait of the trunk and in the axils or forks of the lower 

 limbs. It would be well also to place a mixture of soil and ashes i or 

 lime around the collar, first removing some of the soil ^ me ^tely 

 around the trunk and replacing it with this mixture and slightly 



mounding. . . ,,..,,, v ,,,. 



It is ^noosed by many that solutions can be injected into the bur- 

 rows and ?nus desLy the borer, but it is evident from the course of 

 the burrows as heretofore described that the solution would fail to 

 reach them and be of any value whatever. 



Some one has recommended attaching a tube to the mouth of the 

 burZ with the other end standing higher than the P^£^ 

 of the grub at the time, then fill it with some noxious solution as 

 "oansuds refilling as it is absorbed into the burrow, but even then it 

 XbllSer it would pass through the castings with which 

 the burrow is filled behind the grub. 



Dr. Fitch recommends pouring from a tea-pot or vessel with a spout 

 hot water into the burrow at the point of entrance, ^^^^ 

 little distance into it so as to enlarge the entrance. But this remedj 

 can only apply or be of benefit while the worm is moving dow nw art. 



Unfortunately for our fruit growers, this species does not appear to. 



