346 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



season, pupate as in the preceding case, arid come forth as 

 imagoes early in the spring. 



They usually work on the trunk, though sometimes in the 

 branches, almost always on the south, the west, or the south- 

 west sides of the tree ; and their whereabouts may 

 always be ascertained, not only by the saw-dust, but 

 also, and more certainly, by the black color of the 

 bark. When the black color offers the suggestion of 



FiG.27. the presence of this borer, we can quickly become 

 assured by striking a knife into the same. If the blade pierces 

 the bark and goes on still a little further, we may be sure of the 

 enemy's presence. 



This borer is far more liable to attack feeble trees. Any 

 thing, therefore, which serves to diminish the vitality of the 

 trees promotes the ravages of this borer. Hence, after such a 

 winter as we have just experienced, or after having the growth 

 of our trees interrupted by the removal from the nursery to our 

 orchards, we are in special danger of harm from these destructive 

 borers. Hence, the coming season, when loss will be inevitable, 

 we should more than ever be on the alert to mitigate the dam- 

 age by our vigilance and care, and by the timely application of 



REMEDIES. The remedies for the flat-headed borer are the 

 same as those given for the old borer though these grubs may 

 be found in July and August, and to delay the cutting out till 

 September would often be fatal, especially to trees in newly set 

 orchards. I have known cases where labor of this kind in July 

 would have paid more than $100 a day, besides saving a great 

 amount of vexation. 



Apple-Tree Bark Louse. Mytilaspis conchiformis, Gme- 

 lin. Family, Coccidce. Order, Ilcmiptera. This old enemy, 

 though less destructive than formerly (probably because of par- 

 asites and mites which prey upon it, so that, like the Hessian fly, 

 wheat midge, and many other insects, it has probably done its 

 worst work), yet, to leave it to itself at the present time would 

 be to yield the strife prematurely. 



NATURAL HISTORY. The bark-colored, oblong scales (Fig. 28), 

 so harmless in appearance, serve from August to May only for 



