172 



Insects and Diseases. 



the basswood, of which large trees have been stripped entirely bare. 

 In the orchard it is particularly destructive to the foliage of the 

 apple. On account of its wandering character it is more difficult 

 to attack and destroy in masses, and for this reason more care 

 should be taken to cut off and destroy the rings of eggs before they 

 hatch, in the orchard trees when they are found. 



The American Entomologist describes several insects which de- 

 stroy this caterpillar, and commonly keep it in subjection, except 

 during those occasional years when it appears in the greatest num- 

 bers. But generally " these cannibals and parasites do their work 

 so effectually that it is seldom exceedingly numerous for more than 

 two successive years in one locality." 



THE CURCULIO (p. 152). The importance of a sharp blow to 

 bring down these insects is pointed out on page 154. More recently 

 the practice of inserting iron spikes in the 

 tree, on which to strike, has been adopted 

 with great success. The spikes should be 

 blunt where they enter the tree, so that strik- 

 ing will not drive them in further. Short 



pieces of iron rod answer well. 



Holes being bored for them they 



are inserted part way as shown 



in Fig. 496. On the heads of 



these a blow of a large hammer 



will bring down every curculio. 

 Fig. 496. When the trees are small, one 



spike in each tree is sufficient ; 

 when they become quite large, it will be 

 best to insert one in each of the larger 

 limbs, as shown at bb, Fig. 497. 



Dr. Hull's curculio catcher consists of a large hopper-shaped frame 

 covered with white muslin, and fastened to the top of a wheelbar- 

 row, the front frame of which is pushed suddenly against the tree, 

 jarring down the insects into the hopper. It requires the stem of 

 the tree to be trimmed up three or four feet high, to pass under 

 the branches. The sheets described on page 1 54 may be used for 

 low branching trees, like the one shown in Fig. 497, from which also 

 a large portion of the crop may be picked while standing on the 

 ground. Brown's patent catcher is similar to Dr. Hull's, with the 

 improvement of using glazed oil-cloth for the hopper, down the 



