252 THE APPLE VULTURIST. 



found at the first crotch, or fork, below the eggs. In no 

 case, however warm or protracted the autumn may be, do 

 these eggs ever hatch till the following spring; so that 

 the Tent-caterpillar, unlike many of our noxious insects, 

 never has more than one brood in the season. At this stage 

 of their existence they are confined to a very small com- 

 pass, and can easily be destroyed. The best time to do 

 this is early in the morning, or towards evening, as at 

 these times they are all collected together, and quick 

 work can be made with them. When out of reach, some 

 use a pole, rough at the end. With this one can wind a 

 whole web, worms and all, and thus exterminate the cater- 

 pillar. 



We have frequently placed a knot of such eggs in a warm 

 room during cold weather, where every egg has produced a 

 minute caterpillar not one-eighth of an inch long. As soon as 

 they are hatched, they begin to feed upon the tender leaves 

 of the apple and some other trees, and increase in size and 

 capacity for destruction with the growth of the foliage, de- 

 stroying it as fast as it grows. In the early morning, while 

 the dew is on the foliage, sprinkle fine air-slaked lime freely 

 over the tree. The caterpillar will drop almost as soon as 

 touched by the subtile dust, or perish while holding to the 

 leaf, provided each one gets thoroughly dusted with the 

 strong lime. But it is better to examine the outer twigs 

 of trees several times for the nests. Then, it is better still 

 to destroy the millers. In the spring, keep an eye on the 

 trees for these depredators; and as soon as a nest is dis- 

 covered, climb up and crush every one. Do not attempt 

 to burn these pests, or to blow the nests to fragments with 

 powder. Put on a leather mitten, and crush them long be 

 fore they are large enough to injure the leaves. Do not 

 permit a nest to be built in the orchard. Retire one hour 

 earlier than usual, so as to be able to rise with the lark, and 



