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Protection of trees. — Numerous preventives of injury to fruit and 
other trees by climbing cutworms and other caterpillars with habits 
like the present species have been devised, and some have been found 
quite satisfactory. The method of protection in question consists, in 
brief, in placing about the trunk of each tree a band or ring of smooth 
or tarred paper, cotton batting, or adhesive substances, over which 
the ki worms'' can not crawl. The best of these is cotton batting, and 
in its application a good way is to cut thin sheets into strips -i or 5 
inches wide, long enough to reach around the tree and to be wrapped 
tightly to the tree at the bottom, so that the band rolls over the 
lower edge, standing out somewhat from the tree and forming a sort 
of funnel or cone-shaped mass of batting. These bands or collars, 
it is claimed, are effective for a whole season, as they become dry 
after being wet by rain. Adhesives are sometimes dangerous, partic- 
ularly if applied to young trees. 
Bordeaux mixture. — -This fungicide, according to Messrs. Doane and 
Brodie, was tested recently against the variegated cutworm upon 
potato vines and asparagus. It was sprayed on as a remedy for 
blight, and it was discovered that the plants thus treated were free 
from attack by this cutworm. The use of this fungicide as a cut- 
worm deterrent is certainly advisable. In any case, it should be used 
as a diluent for whatever arsenical is used. 
Hand methods. — On some plants it is next to impossible to apply 
any but hand methods with good results. Experiments in Washing- 
ton State during the season of 1900 demonstrated conclusively that in 
some cases it required less time to shake or brush the variegated cut- 
worm off from affected plants than to destroy them by means of spray- 
ing or otherwise. 
Greenhouse methods.— A few words should be said in regard to 
remedies to be employed in cases of greenhouse infestation by this 
cutworm. The poisoned baits are, of course, applicable here, and the 
hydrocyanic acid gas treatment of a greenhouse when employed for 
aphides and other insects will help to destroy these worms, especially 
when they are young. Its use can not be advised, however, for cut- 
worms alone. In ordinary cases they can be held in check by hand- 
picking. It is the custom of some florists to hunt for them at night 
with a lantern, when they are feeding and can readily be discovered 
and destroyed. 
Treatment as an army worm. — When the variegated cutworm 
assumes the habit of traveling in armies it should be treated in the 
same manner as advised against the fall army worm in preceding 
pages. 
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