Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-23
A NOTED MAINE NATURALIST


Prof. +. l.. Harvey of the Maine Stat,
College. passed through the city yesterday
on his way to Cumberland county, aud while
here spent some time At the journal cstab.
lishment, where he is having some of his
writings published in connection with the
forthcoming report of the State Board Of
Agriculture. Prof. Harvey occupies the
chair of natural history at prono, to which
he was called from the Iowa State Agricult-
ural College in 1856. Prof Harvey is also
connected with the Maine EXperimen,
Station. and during the present sum.
mer vacation of the college Is study
ing the life history of the apple maggot
(frypeia pomonella, y by far the worst in-
sect enemy OF the apple known, and one the
habits of which have been quite obscure both
To entomoligsts and orchari lists. Prof, llar-
vcy Was On his way to the fine orchard OF
Mr. $, X. Sweetzer OF Cumberland Center,
wht re he is to remain IA week or So In the
study of the insect. Mr. Sweetser is one of
the best Informed fruit growers in the State,
and has for many yeas been n leading cx.
hihitor at our State genealogical Fairs.
with which society he has long held official
connections. 1t is understood that MIR.
S~eetser's orchard has suffered severely from
the ravages of the Trypeta during the pa,t
years
The first account of this insect appeared
IN the first report on the Insects Of Illinois,
by the late Benz. ID. Wach in IsGs-that
extremely rare and valuable document
by Mr.. Walch. who described il fully. II
was also described by Prof. j. Henry Com.
stock in the report of the department of ny.
riculture in 1881 and by Prof. j. A. Lintner
in his second report on the insects of New
York in 1881. In both the last named re.
ports the various stages of the insect are
figured.
The maggot lives in the pulp OF the apple
AMI tunnels it through and through with
winding channels which discolor the greater
part of the apple. II may look fair without
the ravages of the maggot Prof. Harvey
has reared the maggot through all iis stages
and had with him yesterday illustrations Of
the egg of the insect and drawings of the
perfect fly, There are some points in it's
life history or transformations upon which
more positive information is wanted. aud
thss sc points Prof Harvey hopes to tettlc by
by his studies upon the iuscc, in the Cum
berland orchards.
ami it is hoped that his studies will result in
the obtaining Of 80 complete a chain of its
life habits that it may he known how long a
time is required for the larvae to attain their
growth; how they leave the apples
they enter the ground for pupa-
ton during wba, time they are to be found
in the apples and other steps necessary "a
be known before science can suggest any
remedy for their des''uction, or study out
any means Of circumscnting their destruct
ing ravages. That such will be soon dis
covered, We have no doubt
Last week Prof. Harvey went to Andover
Mass, and took charge Of Transporting the
Blake Iierbs rum from there 10 the college
at Orono. to which il was lately donated. 4
comprised thirty thousand specimens and il
one Of the most valuable donation. evei
m ade TO the college.