No. 4.] INJURIOUS INSECTS. 165 



has been found that, while sometimes the results appear to 

 be perfectly satisfactory, at other times and under almost 

 exactly the same conditions the results have been unsatisfac- 

 tory. In my long experience I find that caterpillars are de- 

 stroyed very much more easily when young than w^hen nearly 

 grown. Would it not be possible to draw the water early 

 from the bogs, and have the worms all hatch at the same 

 time ? 



Mr. . I think that the changes of temperature have 



considerable to do with that. Sometimes, if the temperature 

 is right, they begin to hatch ; and if there is a sudden change, 

 the hatching of the others is retarded. I think I have seen 

 something of that kind several times. 



Professor Fernald. I wish to say that, because of the 

 peculiar country on Cape Cod, the hospitality of the people 

 and the kindness they showed me, I have taken a more lively 

 interest in the cranberry insects than in any other insects I 

 have ever touched in my life. If I could help them, I would 

 be glad to do it. But I am so bound up with my work that 

 it is impossible for me to go down there and give the time 

 the subject merits, and the station has not the money to pay 

 expenses. If you gentlemen can suggest any way by which 

 the expenses can be met, I would be very glad to go and see 

 if I can do any more for you. I have thought of hydrocyanic 

 gas, and wondered if it would be possible to put a tent over 

 a portion of a bog, and liberate this gas and destroy the eggs. 

 Nobody knows whether it would kill the eggs, or not. It 

 has not been tested, to my knowledge. If it would kill all 

 the eggs, I am not sure but it might pay to do it. The cost 

 of any remedy must be low enough to allow a margin of 

 profit. 



Question. Does the berry worm go from one berry to 

 another ? 



Professor Fernald. Yes, if it does not aret enough to eat 

 from the first one. 



Mr. . I understood you that there is no known 



remedy for the berry worm at present ? 



Professor Fernald. I did not say that. You can kill 

 them in the same way you do the codling moth. Our fruit 

 growers spray for the codling moth on apple trees, and you 



