INJURIOUS INSECTS. 05 
CHAPTER XIX. 
INJURIOUS INSECTS. 
Numerous insects prey upon the apple orchard. In 
fact, Professor Lintner catalogues one hundred and sev- 
enty-six such pests. Fortunately, comparatively few of 
these are yet seriously troublesome, and it is not probable 
that many more will become pests over any great extent 
of territory. There are more species of injurious insects 
apparent now than there were a half century ago. This 
is due in part to the introduction of insects from the Old 
World, and in part to the taking on of new habits by 
native insects. The disagreeable apple maggot, which 
has attracted so much attention of late, was first known 
as breeding on the wild hawthorns, but it took on a new 
habit of attacking cultivated apples, and it has thrived 
upon its new diet. 
In order to combat insect enemies the orchardist must 
acquaint himself with the general natural history of in- 
sects, their common habits and the best means of destroy- 
ing them. He must read and study. He must also be 
vigilant. He should seek for preventives in preference 
to remedies. A clean orchard is necessary. Keep down 
weeds and remove rubbish and do not allow the fence- 
rows to grow up with promiscuous vegetation. 
He must destroy the wild food plants of insects. This 
is a subject which has a very important bearing on fruit 
growing, and one which, it appears to me, does not re- 
ceive the attention it deserves. The continued prevalence 
of injurious insects in some localities where there has. 
