30 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of the tree from injury. The idea of these applications is to coat 

 the bark or protect the base of the tree with some substance 

 which will deter the beetles from depositing their eggs and 

 therefore prevent infestation. These applications should be 

 made in this latitude by the latter part of May and again early 

 in June, or, in the case of permanent bands, the application of 

 them at the earlier date is sufficient. Dr Fitch states that, in 

 his observation, the worst infested trees are shaded and choked 

 by suckers, and he therefore urges keeping the base of the trees 

 clean. It is undoubtedly a good practice to observe this advice, 

 since it at least permits the ready detection of the borers. We 

 believe that suckers at the base of the tree are frequently caused 

 by serious injuries by the larvae, and our experience indicates that a 

 tree with an unprotected trunk is almost as likely to be attacked by 

 the insect as one with its base shaded. 



Thomas Say in 1825 recommended covering infested trees the 

 latter part of April or early in May wdth mortar in order to pre- 

 vent the emergence of the borers. This, so far as we can learn, 

 has never been extensively tried and is of doubtful value. After 

 the insect has once made its way into the tree, there is nothing 

 better than cutting out the borers and destroying them, or killing 

 them with a wire while in the tree. Either operation is best 

 carried out in September or October or in early spring, because 

 the work of the young borers is apparent at this time, and the 

 recent borings facilitate their detection. A young tree will re- 

 cover if the bark be extensively cut with a knife, and the over- 

 cautious operator should remember that the borer is ver\^ likely 

 to cause more injur)' if allowed to remain. The use of the wire 

 will undoubtedly avoid considerable cutting in some instances, 

 and it should be employed wherever practicable. Dr Fitch has 

 advised cutting into the upper part of the boring, removing the 

 sawdust and then killing the pest by pouring in a considerable 

 quantity- of hot water. This is undoubtedly efficient; but it ap- 

 pears to have a limited application, and in most cases it is prob- 

 able that cutting out or destroying with a wire is to be preferred. 



The quince suffers most from this borer, and perhaps the best 

 method of controlling the pest in quincetrees is that described 



