484 DISEASES AXD INSECTS. 



been tried. One of the most effectual u to tie or tack strips 

 of canvas or stiif brown ])aper around the tree and cover 

 them with tar, renewing the tar during their whole season 

 of rising, or from October until May. Another is, to make 

 a close-fitting collar of boards around the base of the tree, 

 and keep the boards covered with tar. 



The Tent Caterpillar is an insect that commits very 

 genera] and extensive devastation in our orchards, and 

 especially in certain seasons. The moth deposits its eggs 

 in July, in larga rmgs, on the branches of the trees; 

 these remain in that state until the following season, 

 when they are hatched in the latter end of May or be- 

 ginning of June. Each ring produces three or four 

 hundred caterpillars, and these weave a sort of web to 

 live in. There are two ways of destroying them: one is, 

 to examine the trees carefully in February or March, at 

 pruning time, and destroy the clusters of eggs by cutting 

 off and burning the branches on Avhich they are found. 

 The next is to destroy the caterpillars in their tents after 

 they are hatched. The quickest and most effectual method 

 is to remove every nest with the hands. The early morn- 

 ing should be chosen, when the worms are in the nests. 

 Some burn the webs with a torch made by tying rags 

 to the end of a long pole, and wetting the rags with 

 kerosene. 



77^6' Cherry and Pear Slug. — This is a most destruc- 

 tive insect. The first brood appears in June and July, 

 and a second brood afterward, as small, slimy, dark-brown 

 slugs on the upper surfaces of the leaves of the cherry 

 and pear. They devour greedily the parenchyma of the 

 leaves, leaving only the bare network of veins. In a 

 short time growth is completely stopped. 



Stocks for budding require careful watching, for a day 

 or two of these slugs may prevent them from bemg worked 



