182 THE APPLE 



recently and given perfect satisfaction against the aphis. When 

 used as a dip, as described above, it is a hundred per cent effi- 

 cient as an aphis destroyer, and, in addition, has a healthy, stimu- 

 lating effect on leaf growth. 



Leaf crumpler (Phycis indigenella). In the fall of the year and 

 during the winter there may be seen hanging from the trees in 

 many orchards small clusters of brown, dead leaves. On examina- 

 tion it will be found that these clusters of leaves are very firmly 

 attached to the twigs by a cord made up of numerous silken threads. 

 Within the clusters and attached to them in an irregular manner 

 by silken threads is a peculiar hornlike case variously curved and 

 tapering to an attenuated point. The case itself is formed of simi- 

 lar threads interwoven with bits of leaves well cemented together ; 

 it is thickly lined with silk, and contains a small brown larva about 

 one fourth of an inch in length. This small larva, securely sealed 

 within its case, lives over winter in its half -grown condition and 

 is ready to complete its development in the early spring by feeding 

 on the opening buds and young leaves. It retains its winter home 

 as a resting place between meals and, after completing its growth, 

 pupates within the case and finally emerges, early in June, as a 

 small ash-gray moth with brown markings. Within a few days the 

 moth begins laying eggs, which are hatched in about a week. The 

 young larvae begin to feed at once, and soon commence the con- 

 struction of a protecting case, to which additions are made as they 

 increase in size. Leaves are drawn and fastened to the case of 

 silken threads, and the worms are thus protected while feeding. 

 In the fall, when the larvae are about half grown, they prepare for 

 winter by securely attaching the cases to branches and fastening 

 additional leaves to the outside for further protection. 



Treatment. Where this insect is present on small trees or in a 

 nursery, it is possible to destroy large numbers by hand-picking the 

 clusters of dead leaves, but for bearing orchards this would not be 

 practicable. If, in early spring, pushing buds are thoroughly sprayed 

 with some arsenical, the worms may be caught when they com- 

 mence feeding, but after they have tied leaves together in clusters 

 they cannot be reached by sprays. The leaf crumpler is commonly 

 present in our orchards, and for this reason an arsenical should be 

 included in the early sprays. 



