Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-04-02

mote the growth of the young arva |
These insects, like others, pass through |
four stages of Observation-Disclosures
ly, the moth or winged state, the |
egg, the larval or worm state, and the |
pupa state. 1t does injury to fruit only |
when In the larval or worm state Iflittle |
birds are numerous among apple trees |
they will devour almost every larva be- |
fore they can produce a cocoon or find a
refuge where they will be safe from birds !
These larvae are fat and tender worms,
and all kinds of birds devcur them with |
avidity. Hence the advantage of encour
aging the propagation of these little song
sters-like the yellow bird, wren, rob- |
bin, little chippie," and many Others |
that choose the fruit orchard for
their abode. Where little birds have
been exterminated apples are apt to
be wormy. The bluebird is one of
the most valuable birds that can be found
on the farm If these birds can be en-
couraged to propagate in the orchard
they will pick up and devour nearly every
larva OF the codling-worm moth. AS
bluebirds build their nests in holes nu-
merous little houses should be provided
for them. To encourage these birds
make great MANY rustic houses for them
and taslen them in trees and to poles set
in the ground. The houses are made in
this manner: Provide blocks of wood
about six inches long by four inches in
diameter, having both ends sawed off
squarely; then bore a two-inch hole into
one end about five inches deep, and bore
another two-inch hole in the side of the
block so as to intersect the first hole. |
Now nail piece Of board over the hole
N ~ al hp bn &c
completed. Fasten such houses in the
apple trees with the end to which the
board is nailed downward. The side
holes should be shaved out smoothly, so
that the birds will meet with no rough
distractions.
HOW TO CATCH THE LARv.E.
Some apple culturists twist rope of
hay or straw, say half as large as mans
wrist and wind it several time around the
body of an apple tree. Beneath this band
the larvp will take refuge and spin their
Cocoons. The band should be removed
soon after the cocoOns are formed, and
the cocoons destroyed. But this practice
will require more hay than most persons
would care to use; and making bands for
a large orchard will be found somewhat
expensive. In some instances, at the
West these depredators are so numerous
that old cloths are laid in the crotches of
the branches for a few weeks, then they
are passed through a clothes wringer to
crush the cocoons, after which the cloths
are returned to trap other insects. II
swine and sheep are permitted to range
about the trees they will usually destroy
the fallen fruit with the larvae. When
swine are not permitted to have access to
the orchard the fallen fruit should be
picked up and crushed, to destroy the
larvG. Hence we see that an lncessant
warfare must be maintained if the fruit is
saved. Last autumn we purchased few
barrels of apples which grew in Central
New York. After the apples were re-
ceived and the barrels unheaded mum.
Der of large larvae of the codling-worm
moth had crawled out of the apples and
were rolling themselves up in the corners
Of barrels preparatory to entering the pupa
state. In this way insects are scattered
far and wide over the country.
EXPERIMENTING THE BoRERs.
The most ettectual way to eXterminate
the borers of apple trees is to scrape off
the dead bark at the collar of every tree,
and thrust a knife blade into every borer
before ii has opened a passage through
the live bark. Let the trees be examined
about the time they are in blossom, and
then again after the lapse of month or
six weeks. If borers are allowed to enter
the wood they will soon pass beyond the
reach Of any instrument except gouge
and mallet. Ii a competent person will
appropriate only two minutes to every
tree per year, looking for borers near the
surface of the ground it will be a small
task to keep them from injuring the trees.
THE CANKER WORM AND CATERPILLAR.
The canker worm, the American tent
caterpillar, the forest tent caterpillar, the
army worm, the apple curcuio and
numerous other insect enemies of the ap.
pie orchard must be crushed or thrust
through with cold steel. 1t would be In
terestng to prepare descriptions and read
over the long and unintelligibie scientific
names of these; but the great practical
point with the industrial classes is, How
may we prevent the ravageS of these in
sects? The answer may be expressed in
a few words namely, Catch 'em and kill
'em.-N. Y. Herald.
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