88 



THE REDWOOD. 



trees and of causing the death of transplanted Monterej^ Lawson's, 

 and other species of Cj^press. The fact that it has been found in 

 Redwood renders it an enemy of especial interest in this connection, 

 aiid one Avhich should be carefully watched. 



Recent observations hy the writer near Mill Valley, California, and 

 along- the railroad leading up the western slope of Tamalpais, of an 

 anhealthy condition of the tops of second-growth Redwood, suggest 

 that this heretofore unnoticed trouble may be due to the work of the 

 Lawson's C^ypress, or the Redwood, bark-beetle. It is reported that 

 much of the Lawson's Cypress in the countr}'' mentioned has recently 

 died. If this has been caused by the Lawson's Cypress bark-beetle, 

 as it probably has, the same insect may be to blame for the diseased 

 condition of the Redwood. 



REMEDY. 



The maintenance of a healthj^, vigorous growth by the application 

 of Chile saltpeter or other fertilizers which may hereafter be found 

 especiall}' useful for this purpose, in addition to irrigation during 

 severe drought, as suggested by Dr. Hilgard, is undoubtedly a most 

 excellent provision against attack, and wherever pi-acticable should be 

 adopted. Otherwise, where forests of Redwood or other trees are 

 infested or threatened by an invasion of this enemy, the recommenda- 

 tions for cutting and barking infested trees and for providing trap 

 trees for the control of the Redwood bark-beetle should be adopted. 



PARASITES. 



The parasite reared from Montere}" Cypress bark infested b}' this 

 beetle was submitted to Mr. William H. Ashmead, the recognized 

 authority on this class of insects, who found that it is a Cecidostiba sp. 

 The abundance of this parasite, in what is evidently the normal home 

 of the beetle, suggests that this species may very profitably be intro- 

 duced into localities where the beetle is carrying on its destructive 

 woi'k on the same or other trees. This could easily be accomplished 

 if medium -sized branches were cut from trees in the original grove 

 during February, left there until thoroughly infested with broods of 

 the beetles and their parasites, then, just before time for the parasites 

 to emerge, cut into sections about 1 foot long and taken without delay 

 to the desired localities and there placed among the tops of the felled 

 trees. The parasites would then emerge and readily find their victims. 

 Any efforts of this kind, however, should be made by an entomologist, 

 or under his supervision. 



