444 DISEASES AFFECTING THE FRUIT AND FLOWER. 



except that of plucking them off individually 

 {Fitch). 



( 10) Dotted Apple-leaf Worm — Brachytaenia mal- 

 ana. This insect is of a pale green color, is dotted 

 with white, and has fine whitish lines running lon- 

 gitudinally. They make their appearance in the 

 latter part of May, and attack the under surface of 

 the foliage of the apple, cherry, and peach; and 

 after their growth they spin a very peculiar and in- 

 genious cocoon. They draw the edges of a leaf so 

 as to perfectly enclose themselves, and thus provide 

 a dwelling for the pupae. They are transformed 

 into moths in July. They deposit their eggs in the 

 leaves, and produce another generation the same 

 season. This new race, having entered their cocoons, 

 fall with the leaves, and come out as moths the next 

 spring. But some of them, encouraged by the heat 

 of the autumn, come forth, and hide themselves 

 under the old bark, or in some such safe position, 

 where they remain frozen all winter, and come forth 

 in early spring. This insect, like many other spe- 

 cies, seldom appears in sufficient numbers to do any 

 very serious injury ; but, when it does, the tree 

 can be shaken, — a sheet having been spread under 

 it, — and the worms gathered and burnt (Fitch). 



II. Diseases affecting the Fruit and Flower. 

 1. Sterilifj/. This is not always an injury to the cul- 

 tivator of fruits, but is often a positive benefit. 



