96 THE PESTS OF THE FARM. 



the notice of the formers generally, until recently, when its ravages 

 on grass fields, reserved for hay, have exhibited their depreda- 

 tions, brown spots or areas, the herbage having been destroyed by 

 these voracious creatures ; these minute insects are countless in 

 number, and need the observance and study of every carefu. 

 farmer. 



BARK-LICE. These insects vary very much in form ; some of 

 them are oval and slightly convex scales, and others have the shape 

 of a muscle ; some are quite convex, and either formed like a boat 

 turned bottom upwards, or are kidney shaped, or globular. They 

 live mostly on the bark of the stems of plants, some however, are 

 habitually found upon leaves, and some on roots. Early in the 

 spring the bark-lice are found apparently torpid, situated longitu- 

 dinally in regard to the branch, the head upwards, and sticking by 

 their flattened inferior surface closely to the bark. On attempting 

 to remove them they are generally crushed, and there issues from 

 the body a dark colored fluid. By pricking them with a pin, they 

 can be made to quit their hold. A little later the body is more 

 swelled, and, on carefully raising it with a knife, numerous oblong 

 eggs will be discovered beneath it, and the insect appears dried up 

 and dead, and only its outer skin remains, which forms a convex 

 cover to its future progeny. Under this protecting shield the 

 young are hatched, and, on the approach of warm weather, make 

 their escape at the lower end of the shield, which is either slightly 

 ( I'vated or notched at this part. They then move with consider- 

 able activity, and disperse themselves over the young shoots o 

 leaves. These young lice insert their beaks into the bark or leaves, 

 and draw from the cellular substance the sap that nourishes them. 

 Young apple trees, and the extremities of the limbs of older trees 

 are very much subject to the attacks of a small species of bark- 

 louse. The limbs and smooth parts of the trunks are sometimes 

 completely covered with these insects, and present a very singularly 

 wrinkled and rough appearance from the bodies which are crowded 

 closely together. In the winter these insects are torpid, and appa- 

 rently dead. These insects have now become extremely common, 

 and infest our nurseries and young trees to a very great extent. 



The best application for the destruction of the lice is a wash 

 made of two parts of soft soap and eight of water, with which is to 

 be mixed lime enough to bring it to the consistence of thick white- 

 wash. This is to be put upon the trunks and limbs of the trees 

 with a brush, and as high as practicable, so as to cover the whole 



