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and do more efficient work. If, however, parasites are introduced with 

 them, their labors may be rendered nugatory, and they be kept from 

 increasing in sufficient numbers to do good work. 



We have two classes of parasites. The external — those which eat 

 their prey from the outside — which comprise the ladybird family, etc., 

 and the internal, in which the female lays an egg under the scale, in 

 caterpillars, etc., and the young larva lives within its host. Among the 

 latter we have the Ichneumons, the Chalcids, the Tachinas, and others. 

 Some of these are very minute — -almost microscopic — and to distribute 

 them it is necessary to cut off branches of the trees upon which they are 

 at work and place them where desired. Care must be taken in this, 

 however, that new pests are not distributed, and that the insects to be 

 attacked are identical with those introduced. The larger parasites are 

 more easily handled. Some of the Ichneumonidse and Tachinas can be 

 handled in the larval or pupal state without trouble and transported in 

 an ordinary package. 



In handling external parasites the operation is different, and lady- 

 birds going but a short distance are usually sent in the mature 

 or beetle form. For collecting these I have a cloth about four feet 

 square, preferably of a bluish or greenish tint, as less trying on the 

 eyes; this should be of serge, slightly rough, as it holds the insects 

 much better than if it were perfectly smooth. At each of the four 

 corners is a loop of tape into which the stretcher is fitted. The latter 

 is very simple, being two strips of wood one inch by half an inch 

 square, extending diagonally from corner to corner, and fastened with a 

 screw where the two bars cross. At each end is a small shoulder which 

 prevents the tape loops from slipping up. When required for use the 

 cloth is stretched on this frame and fastened at the corners. It is then 

 held under the branches where the ladybirds are, and these branches 

 are lightly beaten with a stick or switch about six feet long. At the 

 least jar the little fellows double up their feet and fall toward the 

 ground, but are caught on the cloth, which sags to the middle; here 

 they are collected. In gathering them up I take a small, clean, square 

 mustard can, which I use for a scoop, and with this place them in boxes 

 to be shipped to their destination. By this method all injurious hand- 

 ling is avoided. A little moist moss is placed in the box, and in this 

 they will remain safe for several days — long enough to reach any point 

 to which they would be ordinarily sent by mail. For long-distance 

 shipment, as to Honolulu or Cape Town, the insects are sent as they 

 are about to enter the pupal state, and placed in a refrigerator on the 

 steamer. They go through the change on the way, and arrive in their 

 perfect condition. 



I hope that California, with its characteristic push and enterprise, 

 will keep the lead in this work, and still further demonstrate to the 

 world that nature can be relied upon to keep in check the enemies of 

 the products of mother earth. 



