212 
November, 1889. 
places as early as the first of June. The 
two sexes differ enough to be easilv mis- 
taken for different species. The female 
(Fig. A.) expands about one and one half 
inches, is of a glossy steel-blue color with a 
purplish tint, and a band of bright orange- 
yellow across the abdomen. The primary 
wings are opaque, the tips and fringe hav- 
ing a purplish reflection. The hind wings 
are transparent, with the exception of a 
dusky spot near the base, and are margined 
with a broad band of steel-blue fringe. The 
male (Fig. B.) expands about one inch. 
Both wings are transparent, with the veins, 
margins, fringe, and a 
^^C-^Bs^road band beyond the 
/QV \ middle of the forewings, 
steel-blue. The body is 
steel-blue marked with a 
Fig. 1614. longitudinal yellow band 
on each side of the thorax and with two 
transverse ones on the abdomen. 
The female deposits her eggs singly just 
at the base of the tree and sticks them fast 
with a gummy secretion. These soon hatch 
and the sixteen-legged larva with its white 
body and dark brown head, works its way 
downward, feeding upon the inner bark 
and outer sapwood just beneath the surface 
of the ground. As it increases in size it 
causes a copious flow of gum, which mix- 
ing with the castings of the larva, event- 
ually forms a dense mass upon the outer 
surface of the bark, enabling one to readily 
detect the presence of the pest. Badly in- 
fested trees may completely girdled for two 
or three inches below the surface of the 
ground. All during the fall and early sum- 
mer these larvae can be found varying much 
in size. This can be easily accounted for, 
although there is but one brood, by the fact 
that the egg-laying period extends over so 
long a time, and by the fact that the eggs 
are deposited in different situations, — those 
deposited on roots, in heavy cold soils re- 
quiring longer to develop than those in light 
warm sandy soil. When full grown the 
larvae are about an inch long. They pass 
the winter in smooth, longitudinal grooves 
which they have excavated, the large ones 
for.ning a kind of cell considerably larger 
than themselves by covering the back of 
the groove with castings and gum, ming- 
ling with them a few fibres of silk. The 
smaller ones do not form a cell but lie in 
the gum or between it and the wood. 
About the first of July, the larvae crawl to 
the surface of the ground and construct a 
pod-like cocoon of chips, gum, and silk- 
fibers. These are about one inch long, oval 
in form, brown in color, and are fastened 
to the roots with one end reaching slightly 
above the surface of the ground. In these 
cocoons the pupae soon appear. At first 
they are white but soon become of a pale 
tawny-yellow color. In from three to five 
weeks the moths appear and curiously 
enough always leave the pupa case project- 
ing from the cocoon. Many methods have 
been proposed for preventing the ravages 
of these larvae. As we have said before, 
their presence is easily detected by noting 
the dense mass of gum and chips on the 
surface of the bark. Late in the fall the 
trees should be examined, a little of the 
dirt removed from around the roots, and if 
gum is found to have exuded, the larvae 
should be searched out and destroyed. The 
best method of doing this is to dig them 
out with a knife and crush them. This 
operation should be repeated the following 
spring to insure that none escape. Instead 
of digging them out, it has often been re- 
commended to remove the dirt from around 
the roots and apply very hot water to kill 
the larvae, but we think the former method 
will prove to be by far the most satisfac- 
tory, and not so. tedious as it at first ap- 
pears. 
The preventive measures can be classed 
under two heads. 1st. Mounding the 
trees or wrapping or covering the lower 
part of the trunk with straw or some other 
substance to prevent the moth from reach- 
ing her favorite place for depositing eggs. 
2nd. Washes to repel the moth when about 
to deposit her eggs. The first method has 
been practiced very extensively but is not 
to be recommended. It is not safe as it 
makes the bark tender and liable to injury 
in winter and it is fully as laborious as the 
“digging out” process. For the second 
method, perhaps the best and cheapest wash 
can be made as follows: thin one quart of 
soft soap with ten times its bulk of water, 
then add one pint of crude carbolic acid. 
Apply, in July, with a brush to the base of 
the tree. 
Above all, in fighting this insect as in 
dealing with any other insect pest, “stir up 
your neighbors” and all work together. Or- 
ganize societies and hold monthly, semi- 
monthly or even weekly meetings, to dis- 
cuss the best practices and to rouse up your 
shiftless neighbors. The value of concerted 
action is well shown in the ptach belt of 
Western Michigan, where the farmers have 
literally faller upon the peach borer, knife 
in hand and exterminated it. “Go thou 
and do likewise.” 
Floral Noleft. 
Primula obconica should not be forgotten 
as a winter-blooming plant. It will soon 
be plentiful and cheap. Begin with a plant, 
seed as yet being somewhat uncertain. It 
is a treasure for the green-hcuse and con- 
servatory, and is promising as a room plant. 
It is now under trial with different expo- 
sures. A failure here would be a pity. The 
handsome old Chinese Primrose is not to be 
neglected or thrown aside for this pretty 
new-comer. There is room for both, and 
both should be grown. 
November will close up the outdoor plant- 
ing of bulbs, except at the South. Usually 
the planting of Hyacinths, Crocus, Tulips, 
Scillas, Snowdrops, etc., may be continued 
through the month, both indoors and out. 
Early planting, however, should be the rule, 
though it is well to know that it may be 
done quite late, but not with as good re- 
sults. Plant outside an abundance of Scil- 
las, Snowdrops, and large Crocus, if you can 
find a place for them, not forgetting the re- 
cently introduced Chionodoxa, or Glory of 
the Snow. 
It is singular, but none the less true, that 
there are not a few people who do not know 
which is the top and which is the bottom of 
the Hyacinth. Tulip, Freesia, Triteleia, and 
many other bulbs. A bright and cultured 
lady has just called with some Hyacinths 
and Tulips, and asked if we would not kind- 
ly tell her which was the bottom of the 
bulbs. Wt have met many such cases, and 
some even among gardeners, who were at a 
loss to know which was the root end of the 
Triteleia, Freesia, and similar bulbs; 
and in some of these cases it must be ad- 
mitted that it is not easy, on a first ac- 
quaintance, to say “which is which.” On 
one occasion we had a similar question ask- 
ed by a doctor of divinity, well known for 
his learning and good works. No sensible 
man will sneer at such questions, though 
they are sometimes so ludicrous as to excite 
a smile. We all live in glass houses and 
should be careful how we throw stones. 
The lesson to be learned here is, as a rule, 
to tell not only what to do, but how to do it. 
Good illustrations are invaluable as teachers. 
HORTICULTURAL BOOKS. 
The following books are standard works and the best of their kind. Sent post- 
paid on receipt of price. 
Fcli.kr’s Smai.l Fruit Culturist.— T he most valuable work on the subject ex- 
tant; propagation, culture, varieties, etc., fully treated upon. Profusely illustrat- 
ed. Price $1.50. 
Fcllfr’s Grapk Culturist.— A standard work on the subject: eminently 
practli al. and exceedingly interesting : should be in the hands of all who grow 
grapes. Finely illustrated. Price $1.50. 
Amkrican Fri'it Cui.turist.— A valuable* work, covering the entire field of the propagation and cul- 
ture of both Orchard and Small Fruits, recently revised and brought down to date by the authc, J. J. 
Thomas. Fully illustrated ; nearly 600 pages. A valuable work at the low price of $2.00. 
Barry's Fruit GArdkn.— W ritten by P. Barry, who has had years of practical experience as a nursery- 
man and fruit grower and who thoroughly understands the work he has treated in this book. Over 500 
pages, revised and enlarged. Fully illustrated. Price $2.50. 
Injurious Inskuts or thk Farm and Gardkn.— B y Mary Treat.— A valuable and interesting work 
giving an account of the most destructive Insects and the present knowledge of the methods of preventing 
their ravages. Invaluable to the fruit-grower. Fully illustrated. Price $2.00. 
J. T. LOVETT CO., Little Silver, N. J. 
The autumn-flowering Cyclamen is a very 
good form of this interesting family for 
the amateur, as it is usually in full bloom 
just at the time when it is necessary to move 
plants indoors, and the window garden has 
something pretty to start with. The flowers, 
which are curious as well as pretty, usual- 
ly last till November. The bulb or corm is 
large, and is best grown in a mixture of 
sand, loam, and leaf mould. The bulb will 
last several years. 
