62 



THE KANSAS PEACH. 



REMEDIES. 



As the presence of the larvse is clearly indicated by the exudation 

 of gum, one of the first remedies to suggest itself is to search for the 

 larvfB and remove them. The depth to which the larvae channel and 

 the manner of their work makes the operation almost speculative, so 

 that there is great danger of serious injury to the trees in digging for 

 the insect, making the method almost impracticable. The best method 

 that can be employed in combating this insect is by preventing the 

 adult from dei^ositing its eggs. Mounding the tree is often emj^loyed 

 to meet this end ; hilling the trees to the height of about a foot in 

 April before the adults emerge — thus preventing them from deposit- 

 ing their eggs. This mound should be left on until fall; the object, 

 as in all mechanical protections, being so to protect the trunk that 

 the adult cannot deposit its eggs nor the larvae emerge. Bands of 

 tarred paper may be used by wrapping to a height of two feet, tying 

 at top. These should be renewed each year. Fine wire netting 

 which is more lasting may be employed. It should extend two or 

 three inches below the surface of the ground. Applications of certain 

 washes are made during the spring and summer months which are 

 obnoxious to the moths, and keep them from depositing their eggs. 

 One of the most common used is an alkaline wash, consisting of soft 

 soap and washing soda made to the consistency of paint, to which 

 laiough crude carbolic acid is added to give the mixture a strong odor. 

 Apply the wash with a stiff brush at various times during the season. 



Fig. 7. The Peach Borer, enlarged. From Bulletin No. 12S of the New Jersey 

 Experiment Station. 



Fig. 8. Pupa of Peach Borer. From Bulletin No. 128 of 

 the New Jersey Experiment Station. 



