REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 



367 



eating away the cambium layer without waiting for the gum to exude" 

 (he. ext., pp. 129, 130). 



Ants Usually Harmless to Fruit-Trees. 

 It will appear from the above that, as a rule, it is not necessary to 

 destroy the ants that frequent our fruit-trees, although it is thought 

 by some — Dr. Fitch among the number — that from the protection 

 that they give the aphides, these serious pests become more numerous 

 than they possibly could without such fostering care. The aphides 

 may be killed when they first make their appearance and before they are 

 sheltered in the cavities of the curled leaves, by spraying them with 

 tobacco water, soapsuds or kerosene emulsion. The London purple 

 spraying mentioned in the inquiry could have had no effect upon them, 

 as it is only serviceable upon biting insects, and not upon the suctorial 

 class, which draw their food through a needle-pointed proboscis, un- 

 affected by the external poisoning of the foliage. 



Should careful observation show, in any instance, that the ants are 

 really detrimental, for any reason, when frequenting fruit-trees, they 

 may be driven away by a free application of tobacco in the form of 

 dust or factory waste spread around the base of the tree. Where 

 tobacco is grown, the following method, recommended by Rev. W. P. 

 Smith, of Fayetteville, Texas, might be employed : 



" I was raising some tobacco, and operated with the green leaves in the 

 following manner: I removed the earth from around the tree as much 

 as I could without injuring the roots; then I put a handful of tobacco 

 leaves around the tree where the ants worked, covered them nicely 

 with the earth and pressed it well. In a few cases I had to repeat the 

 dose, but I have tried it often with uniform success in driving away 

 the ants and saving the tree." (Rept. Commis. Agricul. for 1868, p. 

 433-434.) 



To Prevent Ants from Ascending Trees. 

 Different methods have been proposed for this. A band of fur with 

 the hairs pointing downward and tied closely to the trunk, is said to 

 form an almost impassable barrier. The skin of a rabbit has been 

 found effective, but probably that of almost any stiff, closely-set, long- 

 haired animal would do as well. A broad band of chalk eight or ten 

 inches wide, completely covering the bark and encircling the trunk, is 

 also efficient in the absence of rain or excessive dews, if occasionally 

 renewed. Insect-lime, when it can be obtained, applied in a broad 

 band, will serve for weeks for preventing the ascent of ants, as well as 

 a number of other insect pests of fruit-trees. 



