Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-03-04
History ofthe Rorer.

Mn. BRowN:-The insect which prOpagates
This Obstructive worm usually lays lis eggs IN the
month of June or July, and they Matched in
the follow ing month of August or September; I'M
medialey the maggots penetrate the bark, ealing
! the pulpv part Iext the wood. The. latter part
! of Sept, they are not more than l-l6 of an inch
IN length. ard are easily removed, being usually
found within an inch of the top of the ground
Ii requires keen eyes TO discover them, but ii may
be done in young trees by observing little rough
ness where the maggot enters, and slight dis
cooiatlon of the bark at that particular spot. BY
the last of November, slight cuttings may be
through some very small punciures IN the bark,
AT tins season the worm Will be found about 3-l6
Of an inch in length, and to have eaten nthe soft
bark aud PUPPY sap-wocd, space as large in
area, as a mlddling sized bean, Up 10 this time
they have done very little damage, and aie easily
removed with sharp pointed KNIFE
Early the next spring they commence their
course downward, working in the last years sap.
wood, directly under the bark. This year, their
depredations are most destructive, working mann
ly below the surface of the ground. | have known
four worms half grde tree four inches in diam
eer, eating most of the sap-woOd on Onesde,
and running tier path together III different drec-
tons from the top of the ground the junction of
the roots. In the November of the ID year, thew
are about "a of an inch in length, and may al
most always be found below the point where they
first entered the bark, which is usually dscoored
but not broken. The next spring they turn up
wards, following up some channel which they
have previously made, until they are about as
high as the point where they first entered; they
then eat inward in direction not usually straight,
mainly upward, and rarely ever more than an
inch into the solid wood OF the tree. Here they
remain the third winter of their life, and are
about inch, or an inch and quarter in length.
The next spring they turn their course out to-
wards the bark, and when nearly through the
remaining wood aud bark, leaving round hole
about IA OF an inch iii diameter, and usually
from six to ten inches above the place of en-
trance.
have on the 9Th of June taken from section
of tree which it had spoiled, perfectly formed
insect with about the same thickness OF wood as
OF bark to cut through TO effect It's liberation.
Thus they generally occupy nearly three years in
the circle of life, say generally, as | have some
evidence that they are not entirely uniform, a few
making the circle in years.
have been induced to write this sketch of the
borer, as most accounts of the insects which
have seen, describe lis course upward, and ONLY
upward, whereas, lis most destructive operations
are lateral and downward, during It's second year,
and least liable to observation, as cuttings are
rarely seen, operations being at and beneathth
surface
OF the means OF prevention, or destruction, |
have tried the following: A mound of ashes round
the tree only drove the insect to deposit the eggs
just above them. A wash Of spirits of turpeutue
or strong ley, Is not sure, although il will Kill the
eggs, yet some of them may be hatched. and
when once within the bark any wash leaves them
unframed.
"A newspaper or wrapping paper wound around
the tree and fastened there, is perfect security
/ have tried it for II years and never have had a
tree infested that was thus secured-and it Is on
ly through my neglect, since first tried it, That
have been troubled. When they are in or under
the bark, sharp pointed knife is the only sure
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS them the first autumn or
next spring, il possible. This can be done only
by close observation. After they have struck III
to the wood and are working upward, | destroy
them by Introducing sharp wire, very small
sponge fastened to the end Of small wire dip
ped IN spirits of lurpenllne, which, if it touches
tlIems Is certain death, and believe it is if the
hole is wet with it. In looking Ter borers in the
month of OctOber, which | believe is the best
! month, advise, that when one is found be care
full to look for more in the same tree have
usually, when ! neglected to paper my young
trees, found borers in perhaps one 10 six and from
those taken out, from four TO twelve, showing
that quantity of eggs is usually deposited on
one tree. RICHARD G. SroNE
Sherbourae, June 10, 1852.
! NeG ENGLAND Furmer