THE MAGAZINE 



HORTICULTURE. 



SEPTEMBER, 1842. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art I. The Canker Worm; its Habits, and Remarks on the 

 best means of preventinz^ its Ravages. By J. S. G. 



Dear Str — I send you a few remarks on that well known 

 pest of orchards, in this vicinity, the canker worm. I need not 

 begin by describing this insect; this has been done accurately and 

 scientifically, by the late Professor Peck, some years since, and 

 very lately by Dr. T. W. Harris. My object is merely to offer 

 a few practical remarks on its ravages, and the best modes of di- 

 minishing them. Every body who has been visited by this trou- 

 blesome guest, has learned that the female (a grub without wings) 

 generally climbs the tree for the purpose of depositing her eggs 

 at certain well known periods in spring or autumn. All may 

 not be aware of the violence of this instinct to climb. I once 

 placed several of these grubs under a tumbler, the edges of 

 which inclined inwards. Those who were once fairly started 

 on their way, ascended the smooth suiface without difficulty; 

 but so eager were they all to reach the top, that they actually 

 clambered over each other's shoulders, and fell back together, 

 and thus very few could gain their object. Every one knows 

 that if their ascent on the tree is prevented, the tree is saved. 

 But any expedient, which shall be an effectual remedy, must 

 possess the three following requisites: — 



First, it must not be injurious to the tree. 



Secondly, it must be thorough, so that no insects, or very 

 few, can evade or surmount it. 



Thirdly, it must be economical. 



The favorite mode of placing leaden gutters round the 

 trunks of the trees, seems to me wanting, in a degree, all these 

 requisites. The oil or tar placed in the gutters is liable to be 



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