ALDER CLEARWING MOTfl. O 



Prevention ai^d Eemedies. — The failing appeaiM ce of the iufested 

 Alder stems is one sign that mischief is going forward. The attacked 

 stems are stated by Dr. Altum (in paper previously quoted) gradually 

 to fail, wither at the top, grow water shoots, and at last perish. In 

 the case of the infestation at Dolacothy, it was by the drooping of the 

 young Alders that attention was called to the injury that was going 

 forward, and the grub was found working at ground level. By these 

 workings, and the starting of the bark that covers them, the attack may 

 be known in its early stage ; and afterwards by the aperture for escape 

 of the moth, or by the chrysalis sticking out of this aperture, being 

 observable a few inches up the stem. 



Timely felling of the infested Alders, and also destruction of the 

 undergrowth of stems, are measures specially recommended ; but pro- 

 bably, to be effective, an overlooker's superintendence would be needed. 

 To make sure work, the Alders should be cut below the ground level, 

 where the caterpillar works in its early stage. If the stem is merely 

 cut carelessly through, it is a chance, but sufficient length may be left 

 above the ground level for the caterpillar to carry out the rest of its 

 life in. Also, as soon as the Alder stems are cut they should be sawed 

 through, just above the flight hole, or about six or eight inches above 

 the ground level, and the short sawed-off pieces thrown at once into a 

 box, or tub, or some vessel, and presently burnt. Thus all risk is done 

 away with of the development of the moth from the infested stems, 

 which would be exceedingly likely to happen if the Alder stems were 

 simply laid aside as cut. 



Where leisure does not serve to clear an infested plantation, it 

 might be worth while, whilst the attack is still only at ground level, to 

 try the effect of some dressing. Even if the mischief was so far 

 advanced that the stem was past saving, still killing the caterpillar 

 would save spread of attack, and, where taken in good time, the grub 

 might be killed and the stem saved. For this purpose a solution of 

 soft-soap with paraffin, or some Paris-green mixed in it, might very 

 likely answer well. 



As a preventive of attack (where there was reason to fear infesta- 

 tion), it would probably answer to throw some ashes, or sand, or dry 

 earth sprinkled with paraffin, round each Alder stem, at ground level, 

 in June, or when the moths are about. This application, at a strength 

 of one quart of paraffin oil to one bushel of ashes or dry material, has 

 been found, when used as a dressing on Hop -hills, not to cause any 

 injury to the tender shoots pushing up through it, and would probably 

 act well as a deterrent to egg-laying of the Clearwiug at the base of 

 the Alder stem. 



