SUCCESSFUL REMEDIAL MEASURES 



129 



•caterpillars are very abundant, two bands might be used, one 

 a foot or two above the other. It is simply to be tied around 

 the trunk of the tree with a stout string. If frequent rains 

 render the outside compact and useless, it can easily be taken 

 off and reversed, or a little new cotton added to it. 



Killing the caterpillars. ~0i course the caterpillars that con- 

 gregate below the bands are to be destroyed. The simplest 

 way to do this is by the use of a stiff broom. This or some 

 similar method is also to be used whenever the caterpillars 

 appear upon the tree trunk in sufficient numbers. 



After the caterpillars are half grown, they commonly come 

 down to the lower branches or the trunk to undergo the 

 moulting process. To this end they gather in great masses 

 •on the bark, where they may be destroyed as suggested, or by 

 <:ollecting the caterpillars in pails containing a little kerosene 

 and water. Vast numbers of the caterpillars have been de- 

 stroyed in these ways in New Hampshire during the last two 

 jears. 



yarring and banding. — It has already been stated that these 

 -caterpillars drop downward when disturbed, breaking the fall 

 by means of a thread spun from the mouth ; although when 

 joung and suddenly jarred apparently the thread may not be 

 used. This habit leads to the suggestion that by a combina- 

 tion of jarring and banding much injury may be prevented, at 

 least in the apple orchard and on the home grounds, and 

 especially on small trees. After the trees infested have been 

 banded, a boy with a padded mallet may be sent into them 

 with instructions to jar the limbs on which the caterpillars are 

 working, beginning at the top. This sho,uld be done when 

 the caterpillars are feeding upon the leaves, as they are then 

 much more easily disturbed than when they are at rest. Of 

 course it is not to be expected that going over once will wholly 

 rid the tree, but by two or three repetitions of the jarring most 

 of the caterpillars should be removed. A sheet of cloth may 

 be spread beneath the tree to catch the caterpillars as they 

 fall, or a light roller might be run over the ground to crush 

 them. Those which escape destruction will congregate in 

 masses upon the trunk, below the bands, where they may be 



