] 86 Forty-fifth Report on the State Museum. 



fastened to the ground, and slightly into it, by a sliding pin. With 

 this protection, the moth would be effectually prevented from deposit- 

 ing an egg upon or near the base of the tree. The cylinders could be 

 quickly applied, and with proper care in housing them, they would 

 last for many years. It is thought that they can be offered for sale at 

 about twelve dollars the hundred. 



It is undoubtedly very beneficial to shorten-in peach trees annually. 

 It can be done in the autumn, or in the early spring, by clipping off 

 at least one-third of the last year's growth. — Country Gentleman, 

 for June 4, 1891. 



In a communication to the Rural JVeio Yorker, of October 17th, 1891 

 (page 736), Mr. J. S. Woodward, the ex-secretary of the New York 

 State Agricultural Society, and a highly successful fruit-grower, con- 

 demns the recommendation made in a late number of the same journal 

 (page 593) for treating trees infested with the peach-tree borer, by 

 piling wood ashes just about the body of the tree and on the roots 

 after some of the surface soil has been removed. He had seen trees 

 killed from leached ashes piled about them, and unleached ashes would 

 be almost sure death, and besides, they would be effective, if harmless, 

 only for a short time. Mr. Woodward gives the following preventive 

 for the borer as being entirely safe, and as sure as it is safe : 



Take some dirty soap — the dirtier the better, — and add to it sweet 

 skim milk so as to make strong soap suds. Into this mix hydraulic 

 cement (common water-lime) in quantity sufficient to make a thick 

 white-wash, and using a stiff brush or old broom, with this coat the 

 trees from the ground or a little below, to from twelve to eighteen 

 inches above, using plenty of the wash. This will form a solid coat of 

 mail that no insect can penetrate, and unless broken with hoe, harrow 

 or other tool, will last for a full year, or until the growth and expan- 

 sion of the bark of the tree fills it with cracks. To eradicate borers 

 already lodged in the tree, there is nothing so good as a sharp, strong 

 knife and a sharp pointed wire. 



AN ICHNEUMO SIZED CATERPILLAR — INTERESTIVG CASE OP PARASITISM. 



Eds. Country Gentleman. — Inclosed I send a peculiar worm 

 found on my hop vine. At time of finding it was of a light green color, 

 two and a half inches in length. Please name, and state whether it is 

 in any way injurious to the plant. Last year I found on the same vine 

 two worms, dark brown in color, with highly iridescent spots all over 

 them, shining with metallic luster, while the worms themselves were 

 almost as heavy as so much lead. I put them in a box, but neglected 

 to send them until they became too shrunken for examination. 



Mrs. K. M. B., Wabash, hid. 



