THE APPLE. 63 



seasons, often doing great and perhaps fatal in- 

 jury to the tree, by completely girdling it under 

 the bark. With the third summer the grub 

 attains its maturity, and towards its close its jaws 

 have become strong enough to cut a cylindrical 

 passage three or more inches into the solid wood, 

 thence curving upward and outward to the bark, 

 but without cutting it. This cavity is the home 

 of the pupa the following winter, from which the 

 beetle cuts a smooth round hole, and emerges 

 nearly three years after the eggs were first laid. 

 The deposit of eggs may be prevented by keep- 

 ing the bark perfectly clean around the trunk, 

 and by applying a coat of soft soap and wash- 

 ing-soda early in June and again in July. A 

 mound of ashes, or air-slacked lime, placed 

 around the tree in May will also deter the bee- 

 tle from depositing her egg. An examination 

 in August will detect the work of the worm in 

 the dark and dry color of the bark, and later in 

 the castings which have been pushed out in lit- 

 tle heaps. During the first and second seasons 

 the grub may easily be reached and destroyed. 

 It is more difficult to reach him after entering 

 the body of the tree, though a wire may follow 

 his course and dislodge him. With proper care 

 there is little difficulty in keeping this borer un- 

 der control. 



