THE CODLING MOTH IN MONTANA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Apple growing in Montana has passed far beyond the experi- 

 mental stage, and several hundred thousands trees are 

 planted each spring. The total number of trees that have been 

 planted up to this time is upward of two million. Some parts 

 of the state which a very few years ago were practically unheard of 

 as producers of apples are pushing ahead and promise to be close 

 livals of Ravalli, Missoula, and Flathead Counties. Many large 

 orchards of young trees are coming into bearing and as one year 

 after another passes the industry more and more invites a full con- 

 fidence. As was expected and has been predicted, the codling moth 

 has appeared and established itself in more or less isolated local- 

 ities in practically all the fruit growing regions of Montana. It can- 

 not be said that it has yet become very injurious but judging from 

 the experience of other localities, as well as that of our own people 

 up to this time, it seems certain that this moth will gradually assume 

 a most important place in our fruit industry. As the bearing trees 

 grow larger and as more orchards come into bearing, it will progress- 

 ively make its its presence felt and at no very distant date it will be 

 necessary for many growers to prepare for systematic and thorough 

 spraying of their trees. The codling moth is here to stay and has 

 demonstrated again and again within the borders of our state that 

 the amount of fruit it can take, when left unchecked, will almost 

 if not quite, absorb the profits of the industry. We are glad to be 

 able to say that our fruit growers are, for the most part, well aware 

 of the situation and are anxious to take and keep every possible ad- 

 vantage over this pest. 



In response to a growing necessity for accessible information re- 

 garding the codling moth tlijs paper has been prepared. A general 

 account published from this Station in 1900 has long been out of 

 print and a short bulletin distributed in 1903 giving such brief infor- 

 mation as to enablt us to spray efl'ectively is nearly exhausted. 

 Through the present paper we desire to put in as brief space as 

 possible such facts and discussions as will enable our citizens to 

 become acquainted with the whole problem of the codling moth as 

 a factor in the commercial production of apples in Montana. A few 

 excellent publications regarding the codling moth have appeared in 



