152 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
past remarkably fine autumn I noted defoliated larch-twigs 
actually sprouting again as late as Oct. 7th. 
The repeated defoliation of the trees is certain to do them 
creat harm, even if death itself does not result. This is a most 
serious matter, for in Lakeland many thousands of acres are 
devoted to the cultivation of the larch. 
Unfortunately, for the most part, little has been done in the 
way of attempts to keep this sawfly within bounds. A few land- 
owners have had the larve wiped off their young trees by hand, 
and as for some part of their lives the caterpillars feed in 
clusters, this is not such an impossible task as it might appear 
to be. This method, of course, is only of value in the case of 
young trees. During the period of rest, scraping up the litter 
beneath the trees and mixing it with hot lime has been tried, 
but found far too expensive. 
The Manchester Corporation, on their property at Thirlmere, 
have, however, used vigorous methods to mitigate the attack, 
and it is pleasant to be able to state that a great amount of 
success has attended their efforts. One method tried was to fell 
the crop on a plantation, and burn the branches on the ground 
during the last week in May, in the hope of destroying the 
emerging sawflies. This was not a success. In the case of 
young trees, crushing with the gloved hand is employed as else- 
where, but where large trees are concerned (between 6 ft. and 
20 ft.) spraying is resorted to. This is very effectual, and 
where the stock is pure larch the cost has been found by 
the forester at Thirlmere to average about 6s. 1d. per acre. 
The operation is carried out with knapsack-sprayers and a 
solution of arsenite of copper. The arsenite of copper is mixed 
with an equal quantity of wheaten flour, and made up into half- 
ounce packets; one packet is sufficient for four gallons of water, 
the capacity of the knapsack-sprayers in use there. The reason 
for the addition of the flour is to make the solution more ad- 
hesive. One application is stated to be sufficient for a season. 
The larve, when about three-quarters grown, are easily dis- 
lodged from the trees, and after showers of rain or strong wind 
they may be found on the ground in great numbers. Subse- 
quently they climb up the trunks of the trees to the foliage 
again. This having been noted at Thirlmere, suggested another 
