186 mSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PEAR. 



the first and fundamental remedy, the securing of healthy trees, and by 

 the proper enrichment and preparation of the soil, of a thrifty and 

 uniform growth. Nature has provided a minute but formidable enemy 

 to the slug, which serves very materially to check its increase. This 

 enemy is a species of ichneumon fly, which is also of the wasp family. 

 Soon after the slug fly has deposited its egg on the leaf, the ichneumon 

 deposits its egg within the shell of the former, which developing to a 

 minute grub before the time for the hatching of the slug worm, feeds 

 upon the embryo slug, passing the whole period of its existence as a 

 worm, and even undergoing the succeeding transformation through the 

 pupa state, within the small space afforded by the egg of the slug, the 

 natural size of which may be seen at a. Fig. 58. 



" Fig. 65 exhibits the ichneumon fly as found in the egg of the pear- 

 slug, nearly ready to emerge as a perfect insect. 



"The apphcation, at the proper time, of lime in a dry, or powdered 

 state, while the leaves are wet with rain or dew, will prove effectual in 

 destroying the egg before it is hatched, or the slug during the time of its 

 depredations. If the number of trees to be treated is large, it will only 

 be necessary to apply the remedy twice during the season, provided 

 the proper stage of the insect's development is chosen. This should 

 be as soon as possible after the eggs are all hatched, which is usually 

 about the first of July with the first brood, and the first of September 

 with the second brood. If appUed earher than the times mentioned, 

 some of the eggs will not have hatched, in which case it requires much 

 greater care and a larger quantity of lime ; or if applied much later, 

 many of them will have undergone their transformation into the pupa 

 state, and therefore be beyond our reach. I have found this remedy 

 always efficacious, and even plaster of Paris, ashes, or dust from the 

 road, applied to the slimy coat of the slug, will cause it to sicken and 

 die." " A. 0. MOORE." 



"New York, 140 Fulton Street, Oct., 185Y." 



The caterpillar, canker-worm, and apple-worm, 

 wliich increase in size and number with such rapidity, 

 are easily destroyed when attacked in time. The web 

 must be crushed at its first appearance. The best 

 method is not always the most pleasant ; but all the 

 operations of horticulture are not equally agreeable. 



