THE CODLIN MOTH IN IDAHO IN 1900. 



819 



this objection is not well taken, since one would have to eat an enormous 

 quantity of apples to be affected. If a large amount of poison remained 

 in the hollow around the stem of an apple, there might be some danger- 

 I have eaten many apples upon which the spray still remained and 

 experienced no evil effects. 



During the growing period of the larvae the infested apple may be 

 picked from the trees and either destroyed or fed to stock. However, this 

 method is so expensive in a large orchard that it is out of the question. 

 If the people in the towns who have apple-trees more for shade than for 

 the fruit would destroy their apples, they would aid materially in reducing 

 the number of the pest, and would also eradicate a constant source of 

 infection. 



In the "windfalls " there is another chance to attack this insect. In 

 many orchards the fallen apples literally cover the ground. Careful 

 experiments have shown that about 50 per cent, of these fallen apples 

 contain larv». Many methods may be used in the destruction of the 

 windfalls. The best and easiest applied is to allow hogs or sheep to run 

 in an orchard. These animals soon become very efficient and keep the 

 ground well cleared. In doing this, the grower not only gets rid of the 

 apples, but gets his stock fed upon food that would otherwise be wasted. 

 Many growers collect the windfalls at stated intervals and make cider 

 from them. At best, destruction of the windfalls is only partially effective, 

 but is a useful ally to other methods. 



When the larvae are full-grown, and, after leaving the apples, are 

 seeking places to spin their cocoons, another point of attack is opened. 



Banding is simply providing a suitable place for the insect larva to 

 spin its cocoon. Temporary bands of hay or paper, which are afterwards 

 burned with the larvae, may be used. Many kinds of permanent bands, 

 which are not destroyed, have been devised, but a piece of cloth from 

 4 to 8 inches wide, folded lengthwise once, and placed around the trees is 

 the most efficient and economical. These bands can be made of any thick 

 dark-coloured cloth, such as pieces of old clothing or burlap. Professor 

 Aldrich recommends brown Canton flannel. I have seen many bands that 

 were but strips of white muslin, which did not ofi'er an attractive place 

 for the insect, and thus the purpose for which they were put on was 

 defeated. 



It is highly essential that before a band is put on a tree all places 

 where the larvae could spin up be removed. The rough bark should be 

 removed from the tree, and all holes should be filled with either mud 

 or mortar. I have obtained twenty larvae from a hole in a tree. If a 

 large cavity is present in the tree-trunk, bands should be placed above 

 and below. 



The bands should be placed around the trunk of the tree from about 

 1^ foot above the ground. If the tree is large it is best to put a band on 

 each of the branches. Two bands on a tree-trunk are better than one, 

 but if the tree is well scraped and the holes filled I think one wide band 

 is sufficient. A convenient and time-saving device for fastening the bands 

 on is to drive a small nail into the trunk and cut ofi" the head diagonally 

 so as to leave a sharp point*. This nail is allowed to remain in the tree, 

 and the ends of the band are pushed over it. 



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