278 



SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



Peach Borer. — (Figs. 1-10 aud 141.) This insect is the 

 larva of a small moth with transparent wings. The eggs are 

 laid on the rough bark near the surface of the ground, and 

 the young, when hatched, eat their way under the bark and 

 into the wood. The trees of cherry, plum, peach and others 

 are affected by this insect. A gummy formation indicates 

 the presence of t\e borer. Some sawdust borings may be 

 noticed on the surface of the ground. Washing the trunks 



of the trees with some ob- 

 jectionable material, such 

 a s lime-sulfur wash, 

 will repel the adults and 

 prevent the laying of eggs 

 there. This will probably 

 protect the orchard from a 

 large per cent of the 

 borers. It is a common 

 practice to dig into the 

 trees for borers with wire 

 or a sharp-pointed knife. 

 This may be done twice a 

 year in fall and spring. 

 The dirt is removed from 

 about the trunk a few 

 the ground 

 should take 

 All wounds 



Fig. 139. — Insect breeding cages add 

 much interest to the gardening. Qater- 

 pillars and other larva may be kept on 

 plants grown in the cages or kept fresh in 

 Dottles of water. Developments may be 

 easily observed. (U. S. D. A.) 



inchesi below 

 level. A few days later digging for the " worms 

 place, wherever the gum or borings may be seen, 

 made in this work should be covered with grafting wax rubbed 

 in well. The dirt should again be slightly heaped up around 

 the trunk. Protection against borers in the trunks of trees 

 may be made by wrapping and tying well from soil to the lower 

 branches. 



Apple Borers. — There are two kinds of beetles that attack 

 the trunks of apple and pear trees. The bee-ties and grubs 

 are quite different, but their work is similar. They are Icnown 

 as the flat-headed and the round-headed borers. The former 



