ELM LEAF BEETLE IX NEW YORK STATE 29 



slightest influence in protecting the elm. It is only when the 

 grubs are full grown that they are found on the trunks and 

 then only on their way to seek shelter on the ground during 

 pupation. If a band of any kind blocks the way to the ground 

 they may transform on the tree or even in the meshes of the 

 cotton band and fly away later. If the band is of tar or sticky 

 fly paper large numbers of the grubs may be caught on its sur- 

 face, but there will hardly be enough to pay for the trouble 

 incurred. 



Another so called remedy for the elm leaf beetle consists in 

 boring a hole to some depth in the trunk, nearly filling it with 

 sulfur or other preparation and then inserting a plug. This 

 method of treatment or some modification of it is being brought 

 forward every few years as one of the " sure cures." The 

 destruction accomplished by the elm leaf beetle has encouraged 

 at least one unscrupulous firm to advertise a modification of 

 this method as a sure cure. The Elm inoculation company in 

 1895 treated many elms in Connecticut and 150 for one man in 

 ^^'estchester county, N. Y., charging 50c or more a tree. Chem- 

 ical analysis showed their secret preparation to be nothing of 

 value. This or any similar treatment may well be regarded 

 suspiciously by any would-be investor. It is hardly necessary 

 to add that such a remedy has no basis in scientific fact and 

 similar recommendations should not.be heeded unkss they come 

 through such channels that their- authenticity can not be 

 doubted. 



REMEDIES FOR ASSOCIATED INSECTS 



The elm bark louse belongs to Hemiptera, that large order 

 of insects which take food only by suction through a fine pro- 

 boscis from the underlying tissues. It is easily seen therefore 

 that a poison applied externally to the tree, as for example 

 paris green, would have no effect on this pest. The best rem- 

 edy is one of the contact insecticides, preferably kerosene 

 emulsion or whale oil soap solution. This should be sprayed 

 on the under surface of infested limbs and foliage when the 

 tender young are appearing. Kerosene emulsion may be pre- 

 pared by dissolving a half pound of hard soap in a gallon of 



