AN APPLE THIEF 
223 
“ Not all of the little pests grow up in the same 
time; some may take but three weeks, others may 
be a month or more at the business. One and all, 
however, reach a day when their prison house 
becomes intolerable. With prompt dispatch they 
set about tunneling toward the surface; but they 
do not pop out the moment they have cut a door¬ 
way. Something warns them that it is never 
wise to be in too great a hurry. Therefore, a halt 
is called, and a little plug woven of silk and refuse 
is made to stop up the exit. Behind this barrier 
the apple thief takes counsel with itself, and no 
doubt carefully plans out an exact method of 
procedure. If it happens to be a bit slow-witted, 
it may occupy several days in calm deliberation. 
“ Then, sure of itself, it quietly opens its door 
by pushing out the plug, crawls out across the 
fruit, and, if unmolested, proceeds serenely by 
way of twig, branch, and limb to the trunk of the 
tree. Here it moves more slowly. It is house¬ 
hunting, and presently a site is found which 
seems in every way desirable. Usually this is 
under a bit of shaggy bark not far from the 
ground. This is one of the reasons why the good 
orchardist takes care to keep the trunks of his 
trees in smooth, perfect condition. Well he 
knows what harbors rough and tattered bark 
affords! 
“ Safe inside its chosen refuge, the apple-worm 
