278 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



The ravages of this worm may not only be prevented, but 

 they may be defied and counteracted. We may stimulate the 

 growth of a peach-tree so that it will form new bark faster than 

 the worm can eat it, while its foliage may retain the deep green 

 color of vigorous health, and its fruit be magnificent. This, 

 however, is a dangerous though interesting experiment, the 

 fullness of sap induced in the process exposing the tree to the 

 risk of being winter-killed ; but with a hardy variety, and upon 

 a northwest exposure, it ha.s been successfully performed, with 

 the worm working unchecked and severely to the height of 

 eighteen inches above the ground. Any one may repeat it 

 who will plant a peach-tree upon a slope in such an exposure, 

 and set a hog-pen six feet above it. 



PEAR-TREE WORM AND PARENT BEETLE. 

 Fig. 138. 



or. Larva, magnified. 

 &. Scolytus Pyri, or pear-blight 

 beetle, magnified. 



A very small beetle, of a deep brown color, with paler legs. 

 Wing covers with obscurely-punctured rows. 



The worm is minute. It eats into the smaller limbs of the 

 pear-tree, and, reaching the pith, works from that centre until 

 a narrow section of the wood is eaten ont to the bark, forming 

 a circular cell, and the limb above the point of the injury droops 

 and dies suddenly. 



Remedy : cut off the limb and burn it the moment you per- 

 ceive the leaves to droop. 



PLUM WORM, WITH PARENT BUG. 

 Fig. 139. 



a. Larva. 



k Conotrachelus Nenuphar. 

 c. Conotrachelus Nenuphar at 

 work upon a young plum. 



