FRUIT-TREES AND GRASS. 53 



and, when practicable, worm-infested specimens 

 should be taken from the trees before the worm 

 escapes. 



The canker-worm in those localities where it is 

 destructive can be guarded against by bands of 

 tar-covered canvas around the trees. The moth 

 cannot fly, but crawls up the tree in the late 

 autumn and during mild spells in winter, but es- 

 pecially throughout the spring until May. When 

 the evil-disposed moth meets the tarry band he 

 finds no thoroughfare, and is either caught or com- 

 pelled to seek some other arena of mischief. 



We have all seen the flaunting, unsightly abodes 

 of the tent caterpillar and the foliage-denuded 

 branches about them. Fortunately these are not 

 stealthy enemies, and the owner can scarcely see 

 his acre at all without being aware of their pres- 

 ence. He has only to look very early in the morn- 

 ing or late in the evening to find them all bunched 

 up in their nests. These should be taken down 

 and destroyed. 



Cherry and pear slugs, " small, slimy, dark brown 

 worms," can be destroyed by dusting the trees with 

 dry wood ashes or air-slacked lime. 



Field-mice often girdle young trees, especially 

 during the winter, working beneath the snow. 

 Unless heaps of rubbish are left here and there as 

 shelter for these little pests, one or two good cats 



