The Seasons ^1865 and 1866. 89 



must have emptied itself of the pests ; but they continued their upward 

 movement in small numbers until the 13th of April. The males this 

 spring were much more abundant than in the autumn. I had followed up 

 the tarring process till the middle of the month, but found none after the 

 13th. 



I first noticed the ravages of the canker-worm on the loth of May, when 

 the apple-trees began to show bloom, and the oriole, the enemy and de- 

 stroyer of the canker-worm, appeared. On the 14th, the trees were in full 

 bloom, excepting the Baldwins, which did not flower. I supposed the eggs 

 deposited below the protectors would not avail any thing, even though 

 they should hatch out, as I concluded the little things, no bigger than the 

 point of a pin, would not know enough, nor have strength, to climb the tree. 

 I did not notice them, nor take any means to destroy them : but a neighbor 

 of mme who has better eyesight, who had used tar, saw the young plagues 

 marching upwards, which I suppose was the reason a few were found upon 

 my trees ; but they were not numerous enough to seriously affect the 

 foliage, or the small crop of apples which rewarded my labors. On the 

 loth of June, the canker-worms began to descend in immense numbers as 

 I walked under a neighbor's trees which bordered upon the road. He had 

 done nothing to check them except to apply the muriate of lime, which, as 

 we have seen, was no obstruction to them. 



I found the fence covered and black with the worms, apparently perish- 

 ing with famine ; for there was not a green leaf left ia the whole orchard, 

 and they did not appear to be fully developed, nor have strength to perform 

 the operation of getting into the chrysalis state ; and I hope the race has 

 become extinct from starvation. 



I shall watch with interest the fate of that orchard. My few well-devel- 

 oped worms had all disappeared by the 15 th of June. I saw a robin look- 

 ing upon a worm on the ground one day, but believe he did not eat it ; 

 but the oriole, bobolink, sparrow, and many other little birds, feed upon 

 them, and for seven years prevented their increase on my trees. 



In a future number, I propose to speak of the apple-worm, of grapes, 

 pears, and flowers. Joseph Breck. 



VOL. I. 13 



