362 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



country as they are in some places these insects would rank 

 next to the codling moth as a pest of the orchardist, and even 

 now they occupy no inferior position. They not only strip the 

 buds from our fruit trees, but the various vines also minister to 

 their appetites. 



NATURAL Hisiory. Little need be said on this subject far- 

 ther than what has been said in reference to field cut-worms, as 

 the characters of the various cut-worms are very similar, as also 

 their habits; yet, just before the larvae mature, the climbing 

 species exhibit a strange peculiarity, as during the warm summer 

 nights they come forth from their earthen retreats, not to nip 

 the tender corn or tomato plant, but to climb some apple, pear, 

 or peach tree, or some grape vine, and eat out the tender buds, 

 thus frequently doing irreparable damage. The owner sees the 

 damage, but not the enemy, and all ignorant of the true cause, 

 says hard things of his bird friends. These larvae hide by day 

 just beneath the ground, where they may be found by a little 

 digging. They may also be seen by climbing into the trees by 

 night or by shaking the same, when the " worms " will fall to the 

 earth. There are two or three species in our State that I am 

 sure have this climbing habit ; there may be several. 



REMEDIES. In addition to the process of digging out by hand, 

 recommended to destroy field cut-worms, and placing armfuls of 

 fresh clover to entrap the larvae, as already suggested to the 

 gardener, there are still other methods to fight or ward off the 

 climbing species. They can be caught by using the sheet and 

 mallet at night, as in fighting the curculio when they are in the 

 tree. They may also be kept from gaining access to the tree 

 or vines at all. To protect vines Professor Tracy recommends 

 using stiff, smooth paper, about four inches wide. He winds 

 this about the trunk, gathering in at the top, and tying about 

 this gathered portion with a cord, drawing it tightly. The 

 lower portion is permitted to stand out a little from the tree, 

 so the whole resembles an inverted tunnel. For larger trees, 

 and indeed for small trees and vines, the same is often used, but 

 tin bands will be most desirable. The tin should be thin and 

 bright, and should be cut into strips about three inches wide, 



