192 
WISCONSIN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
By referring to an article on the habits of the vine worm, in 
a report to the Cape Cod Grower’s Association, in 1869, by 
Wm. C. Fish, Esq., we learn that “ these worms hatch some¬ 
where about the 20th of May, from eggs that have remained 
upon the vines all winter. These eggs are a flat, circular scale 
of a honey yellow color, and measure about three-tenths of an 
inch. Just before the time for the egg to hatch, the black 
head of the young worm can be seen through the skin with 
the naked eye. When hatched, the young worm immediately 
finds its way to the end of the young shoot and commences to 
feed on the tenderest leaves, drawing some of them together 
with its web for shelter. It is at this time of a pale, yellow 
color, with a black head. In this way they continue to work, 
drawing more leaves together, and feeding first on the tender¬ 
est parts and then upon the older leaves. When very numer¬ 
ous, they will eat most of the leaves and tender shoots, 
leaving very little except dry stems. They attain their full 
size in about two weeks after hatching, and are then about 0.45 
of an inch in length, having become a dull yellow green, with 
a black head. 
“ It now prepares to pass from the larva to the pupa state, by spinning a 
slight cocoon among the dead leaves or among the litter at the surface of 
the ground, and within this the worm becomes a pupa or chrysalis, as it is 
sometimes called. This pupa is about 0.25 of an inchin length, and is 
liodit brown in color. 
O 
“ Remaining quiet in this state for from ten to thirteen days, it then works 
its way partly out of the cocoon—the skin splits and the moth escapes. 
* * * * “ Water is, and probably always will be, the most effective 
agent in destroying this insect. 
“ Those that have this convenient will find it best, I think, to flow their 
bogs once or twice between the 10th of May and the 7th of June—that is, 
if they let off the water early in the spring. If they keep the water on un¬ 
til the first of June, it would be well to flow two or three times during the 
month.” 
The foregoing description of the vine worm and its habits, is 
probably the best yet given, and the grower will at once see 
the importance af flooding the marshes, for the destruction of 
this enemv. 
