21 



ground and devour them in immense quantities. They are likewise eaten by 

 domestic fowls and insectivorous birds ; crows, especially, are so partial to 

 them that they will be often seen following the plough, so as to pick out these 

 choice morsels from the freshly turned furrow. Trees infested with the beetles 

 should be shaken early in the morning, when the insects will fall and may be 

 collected on sheets and killed by being thrown into scalding water. Besides 

 the cherry and plum, these insects feed on the Lombardy poplar and the oaks 

 On account of time the larva takes to nature, the beetles are not often 

 abundant during two successive seasons." 

 Treat, another authority says : 



" As many insects are not injurious in their perfect form, the June Bug 

 has not generally been regarded as harmful. As it is a destructive feeder in 

 its beetle state, it should be destroyed, not only for the mischief it may do 

 as a beetle, but for the prevention of its progeny. Those that enter the 



house should be caught and killed. 

 In each locality the insect is usually 

 more numerous than at other times 

 once in three years. When the trees 

 in which they harbour are discovered, 

 large numbers may be destroyed by 

 placing sheets beneath the trees, and 

 in early morning, when they are tor- 

 pid, the beetles may be shaken from 

 the trees, gathered and destroyed. 

 As it is only in the perfect state that 

 any effective war can be waged 

 against the white grub, every method 

 should be employed to kill as many 

 beetles as possible. That which 

 promises to be most effective is to 



Fig. 8. 



take advantage of the fact that they are attracted by light and to set tt-aps 

 for them. A simple form is to place a lamp in a tub, made by sawing a 

 barrel in half, in the bottom of which is a few inches of water. Several 

 lanterns have been specially devised which, by throwing a strong light, will 

 attract the beetle. That shown in the illustration (Fig. 8.) is a French 

 design, modified by a distinguished American horticulturist. It consists of 

 a square glass lantern, at each side of which is a flaring tin reflector. At 

 the lower side of each reflector, near the glass, is a longitudinal opening. 

 The lantern is set upon a cask or tub in which there is some water. The 

 insects, attracted by the light, fly towards it, and striking the glass, fall 

 downwards through the opening into the water. This has been found very 

 effective. It would be well, no doubt, to place upon the water a little kero- 

 sene, just a thin film, enough to cover each insect as it fell in." 



The opinions given by the correspondents whose replies are published in 

 the preceding pages, it may be remarked, whilst they differ slightly in some 

 minor details, in the main agree very closely, except in the question of 

 burning the tops of the strawberries after the crop has been taken off. On 



