INJURIOUS INSECTS. 355 



cation of their presence. These larvao are found of varying 

 sizes, which is easily understood, from the fact of the length 

 of time at which the moths come forth, from July to Septem- 

 ber. These larvae will be found at work till about the first week 

 of July, when we will often only find a pupa incased in a 

 rough cocoon of chip-dust, earth, and gum. By seeking out 

 these oval cocoons, any one may, by keeping them in earth 

 in a close box, rear the beautiful moths. The female (1, Fig. 

 35), is larger, darker, than the male, and has a bright, yellow 

 band across her abdomen. The male (2, Fig. 35), expands 

 about an inch. In hatching a large number, I have found 

 that the ratio of males to females is about one to five, which 

 would seem to indicate that polygamy reigned among insects. 

 In pushing out of their cocoon, ihe pupa skin is always left pro- 

 jecting from the opening. Perhaps the split cocoon serves them 

 as a vise, thus aiding them to gain their freedom. 



REMEDIES. It has been recommended to mound the trees with 

 earth in summer. Of course, the caterpillars will still work near 

 the top of the mound. In fall, say the last of September, these 

 mounds are pulled down, and the hot sun kills the tender-skinned 

 larvae. There are three objections to this plan : 1st. The 

 mounds interfere with the Ransom process of fighting the cur- 

 culio. 2d. Removing the earth in autumn endangers the trees 

 during our severe winters. 3d. It is not absolutely safe. 



The best method, and I believe a cheaper than the above, is 

 to dig them out in the fall, the last of September. The oozing 

 gum leads to their quick detection, when they can be easily 

 crushed. Our best pomologists, for fear some wee depredators 

 escaped detection, go over the trees again in May. 



This is not a tedious process, and should never be neglected. 

 I have seen whole orchards languishing, and many trees killed 

 outright by neglect to destroy these hateful miners. Such neg- 

 lect in case of a fruit so rare, so delicious, and so profitable 

 wherever it can be successfully grown, is most unwise. 



Judge J. G. Ramsdell, so well and favorably known as a 

 pomologist, tells me of a new method of mounding which is 

 without the usual objections, and he claims a great saving of 



