256 THE APPLE CULTURIST. 



between two trees, but nearer to one than the other. They 

 first crept up the stems of the grass, as if for the purpose 

 of taking an observation, and then took up their march for 

 the nearest tree. 



The leaves of the apple-tree constitute the food of by far 

 the greater number of this kind of caterpillar. Nests are, 

 however, occasionally seen on the other common fruit-trees 

 the peach, pear, plum, and cherry, particularly the wild 

 cherry. When deprived of other food, they will also eat 

 the leaves of the rose-bush. 



The active period of this caterpillar, that is, the time 

 from their hatching to their changing into chrysalids, is 

 from five to six weeks; and when we consider their vora 

 cious appetites, and that there are about two hundred and 

 fifty individuals in each nest, we can easily form an idea of 

 the extent of their ravages. Where there happen to be 

 several nests on one tree, or where the tree itself is small, 

 they often strip it of every vestige of foliage ; and in neg- 

 lected localities whole orchards are sometimes seen as bare 

 of foliage on the first of June as in mid-whiter. When 

 about to construct its cocoon, the insect attaches itself 

 by its hindmost feet, so as to leave the anterior part of its 

 body free for motion ; then extending its body, it draws 

 some disconnected lines across from one side of the angle 

 to the other, to serve as outlines or stays. Then, working 

 down nearer home, it draws its lines more densely, so that 

 near its body they constitute a pretty close texture, like a 

 piece of loosely-woven cloth, through which, however, the 

 insect can be seen. When the web is finished, the insect 

 emits a yellow fluid, with which it besmears the inside of 

 the cocoon, and thus effectually conceals itself from view. 



The Apple-tree Borer. An untold number of choice ap 

 pie-trees have been destroyed every year by Apple-tree 

 Borers, when the proprietors have wondered what could 



