58 



awhile change to a dark sooty appearance, and the tree does not grow 

 so rapidly. 



An enemy to this insect also has appeared. I am informed by 

 the entomologist of the Agricutural Department to whom I sent speci- 

 mens of this" and the other insects mentioned, that the "insect is the 

 Evagoras Rubidus which destroys the plant lice on the cotton and 

 orange, at least I have found it in the act of sucking out the juice of a 

 plant louse." As I finished the above sentence I laid my pen down to 

 go out and capture some of these insects that I might give a more 

 accurate description, and found a full grown insect which had just 

 pierced with his proboscis a full grown house fly. He continued his 

 feast for a few moments as I watched, and when frightened retreated 

 carrying his prey with him. This insect when young resembles a red 

 spider. As it increases in size it changes to a salmon color with white 

 spots. When half grown, or about one-half inch in length, two small 

 black wings are visible. When full grown, or three-fourths of an inch 

 in length, two pairs of wings show themselves, the smaller or under 

 pair black, the upper pair black, with salmon colored marking on the 

 forward halves of the wings. When fully grown the insect is ready 

 for flight and is very active. When young it is very busy feeding 

 upon small insects, when grown it seeks for larger prey. Since writing 

 the above I find a description of the above insect in Agricultural 

 Report of 1875, page 131. 



The wood lice, or white ant, has occasioned serious trouble, and 

 sometimes death to many fine young trees where the preventive was 

 not used ashes or slacked lime around the base of the trunk. When 

 a tree begins suddenly to show yellow leaves examine a few inches 

 below the surface at the base of the trunk for wood lice, especially if 

 a stake has been driven near the tree for its support, or if litter from 

 the forest or mulching of leaves has been used. If wood lice are dis- 

 covered clear them away carefully, pour boiling water into the cavity 

 around the tree until all the cavities in which the lice could have 

 concealed themselves have been reached. If the tree has been but 

 partially girdled it will recover, if the soil be placed above the 

 wounded part. But if the tree has been completely girdled, get well 

 rotted muck and pile it for three or four inches above the wound, and 



