the well known Peach Tree Borer. Where our problem con- 

 sists of an attempt to control such pests as these, then me- 

 chanical means, so far as our present definite knowledge 

 ;goes, must be resorted to. Using the insect just referred 

 to, the Peach-Tree Borer, as representing this class of in- 

 sects the mechanical means to be used, resolve themselves, 

 finally to the actual cutting out and destruction of the 

 individual insects. This may be accomplished by the use 

 of very primitive tools, a good strong knife, indeed, doing 

 effective work when properly handled or more elaborate 

 implements may be employed. The so-called "Porter Hook," 

 invented by Mr. C. M. Porter, of Douglas, Ga.,will be found 

 to be one of the most effective of 'worming" tools. It con- 

 sists essentially of a handle some twelve inches in length 

 into which is firmly set a curved or "hook" blade. This 

 blade is about six inches in length, not including the shank 

 which is inset in the handle, and is well curved so that the 

 straight distance from base of handle to point of blade is 

 four and one half inches. The destruction, by mechanical 

 means, of the borers being here considered can best be 

 /lone in the fall or early winter. "The larvae arc at this 

 time some eighty-odd per cent, of them extremely small, 

 and are, for the most part, still on the outside of the tree 

 feeding on such tender spots as they may have located be- 

 tween the ridges and crevices of the bark, and generally in- 

 volved in a mass of gum and excreta. This, and most of 

 the larvae with it, may be cleaned away by a few rapid 

 sweeps with a steel hook" (i.e., the Porter hook or some 

 similar implement). "The mass of gum, with its content 

 of wriggling caterpillar life, should be thrown or jerked 

 from the hook to a distance of several feet from the tree, 

 in order that the larvae may find it difficult to return and 

 oe subjected to capture by predatory agencies. The pro- 

 cess of "worming" thus executed is most expeditious 

 and economical and may be conducted on an exten- 

 sive scale with most satisfactory results."* 



Whatever mechanical means may be employed for the 



*Georgia Experiment Station Bulletin 73. 



