30 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



s All the flies of the moth kind lay a vast number of eggs; 

 and the young ones produced from those of one surviving 

 female, of this species, are sufficient to destroy many 

 honey combs; nay, many hives of them. The moth pro- 

 duced by this caterpillar flies but little; but is very nimble 

 in avoiding danger by runing, which it does with great 

 swiftness.' 



This insect has been extending its ravages from south to 

 north, for several years past, and in its progress must soon 

 pass the northern bounds of the United States. Probably, 

 like many other insects, its existence will be only tempora- 

 ry. Mr. Van Schaick says, 



< In the county of Greene, where I first observed it in 

 1813, the havoc it spread throughout its course was wide 

 and annihilating.* 



* In a single instance, one Farmer had upwards of thirty 

 hives destroyed that year.' 



4 In 1815, I observed it in the counties of Renselaer and 

 Saratoga, when it first made its appearance there, where 

 its ravages were equally destructive.' 



c On inspecting a number of hives (says he) I found its 

 eggs deposited in every part of them, but most generally, 

 and in vast numbers, under the rims, and in the crevices of 

 the floors or stands, nearest to the hives ; as if the little in- 

 sect had anticipated the wants of its progeny, and determin- 

 ed to fix it where its sustenance should be abundant. But in 

 doing so it does not appear to act solely for the benefit of 

 its offspring; for, whilst the worm destroys the wax, and 

 detaches the honey from the cells, the fly devours the 

 latter, where it can do so with impunity.' 



He adds, ' On examining several hives, I have found 

 caterpillars and cbrisalides, and the remains of each in 

 large clusters, enveloped in webs suspended therein, and 

 apparently the only tenants which occupied the desolated 

 hive.' 



4 The great desideratum (as he well observes) is how to 

 destroy the tinea, or how prevent its intrusion into the 

 hives.' 



For destroying it, he observes, * the most effectual me- 

 thod which I have yet observed, is to raise the hive about 

 an inch above the floor and prop it there, when, the moment 

 the Bees discover their unmasked enemy, whether in the 

 shape of eggs, or of caterpillars in different stages of 

 formation, they attack them with fury, and toil incessantly 

 vintil they have destroyed or removed every vestige of them 

 off the board.' 



He further very judiciously recommends the construction 

 of the floor or plank on which the hive stands, and also the 

 rim of the hive, to be * of such materials and dimension^ 



