9 o THE FRUIT GROWER* S GUIDE. 



many experiments found that the paper employed for packing needles is good for 

 "banding trees. 



Sticky bands to effect the object in view must be applied in good time, and if con- 

 tinued long enough, are efficient. Female winter moths have been noticed ascending- 

 trees on the llth of October, but their appearance is influenced by season and locality. 

 The bands ought to be in position and in working order by the 1st of October, and kept 

 so till spring. This insures the " fixing" of all crawling insects attempting a passage 

 up the trees. 



Of the many substances available for smearing, a mixture in about equal propor- 

 tions of palm oil, soft soap, and tallow is good ; as also is a mixture of ream and sweet 

 oil, two- thirds of the former, melted, and one-third of the latter ; while Davidson's 

 Composition, Wilson's Sticky Oil and other proprietary preparations are efficient. Oily 

 and tarry substances must be kept from the bark, for these penetrate the tissues and 

 injure, if not destroy, the trees. 



The use of lanterns to allure and fix moths on boards or trays smeared with a 

 sticky substance has been recommended. Moths are not attracted any great distance 

 by artificial light ; still, no means of destroying the originators of caterpillars ought to 

 be neglected. A handy trap is readily made by setting a post firmly in the ground, 

 sawing its top off level at a height of 3 feet; fixing a tray, 2 feet square, with 

 |-inch edging all round, and a circular block of wood, 2 inches thick, in the centre, 

 wide enough for a hurricane lamp to stand upon. The tray should be smeared insido 

 with sticky stuff, and a lamp lighted and stood on the pedestal at dusk. Moth^ 

 appear early in the evening, and, allured by the light, are taken in the tray. The great 

 difficulty is wind and rain. A projecting zinc roof, with sides and ends on the prin 

 ciple of Venetian shutters, admits of the use of the trap in all weathers. Other means 

 of capturing moths will suggest themselves to ingenious fruit growers. 



Forking the ground over lightly and frequently about the trees whilst the insects 

 are in the pupa state assists in thinning their numbers by exposing them to the birds. 

 Even hoeing the ground frequently in the late summer and autumn months contributes 

 to the destruction of the chrysalides. 



Ground beneath and near fruit trees allowed to become encumbered with weeds 

 and coarse grasses may be lightly skimmed with a spade or plough from the end ot 

 September to mid October in dry weather, and the rubbish should be burned in ridges- 

 between the rows of trees. After burning, the ashes should be evenly spread over 



