40 INSECTS. 



eggs, either ■because the odour is offensive to her, or because her 

 instincts teach her that the eggs will only perish if she places 

 them where they will come in contact with it. The most efficient 

 method of applying this alkali is in the form of a ropy soft soap, 

 which may be rubbed upon the body of the tree with a swab, 

 particularly at the collar, and a handful deposited in the forks of 

 the tree, where the branches separate from the main trunk, to be 

 dissolved and washed down by the rains. A solution of potash, 

 at the rate of a pound of potash to two gallons of water, will be 

 found to answer the purpose in the absence of soft soap, but will 

 need to be oftener apphed. 



But if the grub has already got into the tree, the easiest and 

 simplest method is to hunt him out and kUl him. This can be 

 done with a stout-bladed knife or a narrow carpenter's gouge. 

 Sometimes the newly-hatched grubs may be found in the month 

 of August, whUe yet in the bark, their presence being indicated 

 by small black spots in the bark about the collar of the tree. 

 "Washing this part of the tree with strong lye, or the above 

 solution of potash, will often be effectual in destroying any of the 

 young larvae that may have escaped detection. At the same time 

 search carefully for the fine sawdust castings, which indicate a 

 larger grub within ; and, if these are seen, find the excavation in 

 the sapwood, and hunt biTti out. K the grub have made his 

 gallery into the heart of the tree, the upper opening may be 

 found, usually from three to six inches above the chamber in the 

 sapwood, by sticking a pin into the bark until, by the ready 

 sinking of the pin, the exact spot is known; then, with the 

 point of the knife, cut away the bark and pour some of the lye 

 or potash solution down the gallery until, by its soaking through 

 into the chamber below, you know that it has accomplished its 

 work. By renewing the search for these sawdust castings at 

 intervals through the fall, winter and early spring, they may be 

 effectually routed. 



The Buprestis Apple-tree Borer. Chrysohoihris femorata. 

 This beetle is more universally distributed than the two-striped 



