378 Report oF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS OF THE 
and is most prevalent during warm, moist weather. The affected: 
caterpillars at first become sluggish in their movements, finally 
cease to eat and die soon after. | 
When the disease is prevalent it is not unusual to find large 
numbers of the dead and dying caterpillars congregated in the 
nests. | 
Value of natural checks.—While it is evident that these natural 
agencies do much toward checking the increase of this and many 
other species of noxious insects, so much dependence should not 
be put upon them as to lead to delay in promptly applying preven- — 
tive and remedial measures. But such friends as the birds should 
be protected and encouraged whenever possible. If let alone, or 
better, if encouraged to visit the orchard, they will do much toward 
ridding it of many of the noxious insects which annually exact a 
heavy tax from the farmer. 
PREVENTIVE MEASURES, 
Probably the most important preventive measures consists of 
keeping the roadsides and farms free from wild cherry trees and 
neglected apple trees and brush. ‘The insect prefers the wild 
cherry, and where these trees are allowed to grow the usual result is 
that neighboring orchards soon become infested. 
REMEDIAL MEASURES. ~ 
Collecting the eggs.— Very much can be done toward checking 
this insect by collecting the egg masses during the winter. The 
exact time and methods for doing this work can best be decided 
by the individual. A very good time is while pruning the trees. 
If a sharp lookout is kept it will not be difficult to detect them. 
Whenever found they should be burned or otherwise destroyed. 
It is not safe to leave them on the ground. 
In some places encouraging the destruction of the egg masses 
by offering a reasonable bounty has been tried with good results. 
As an illustration, the following is quoted from a paper by Dr. C. 
