The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-20
LARVAE IN THE TREES
DIR. WILCOX OF AUBURN FINDS
 CAUSE OF BLIGHT.
Professor of Biology Investigates Ill Health of Montgomery Films and oaks-They May Be
 Whitewashed.

In the opinion of Dr. E. M Wilcox. Profes- sor Of Biology at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn. the shade trees of Mont gomery are being bllghted by the larvae of beetles.
 Dr. Wilcox spent yesterday in Montgomery investigating the blight of shade upon request of Mayor E. B. Joseph. He came to Montsomery yesterday morning and returned 10 Auburn on an evening train.
 He will make written report to Mayor Joseph upon the result of his investigation and steps will be taken to arrest the blight which has made such inroads upon the trecs Of Montgomery to cause concern among per- sons who feel pride in the beauty of the city at Oak Park and ip other parts of the city. pr. Wilcox gave it as his opinion that the trees are dying because larvae of beetles have attacked the sap of the trees.
 Dr. Wilcox came to Montgomery with a let ter of introduction to Mayor. Joseph from President c. C. Thach of the Polytechnic in stitute in which President Thach took occa- sion to congratulate Montgomery's Mayor upon the interest he had manifested in the dying of the shade trees
 In company with Campbell Jones. Superin- tendent of Streets pr. Wilcox went to Oak Park and examined several trees which were apparently dying of blight The bark of threc hickory trees and one elm tree was stripped and, az expected by nr. Wilcox, the work of the larvae of tn beetle was present. The in- side of the bark was closely blurred" by the larvae, many of which observed upon closer examination to be at work in the bark. An examination of the exterior of the bark i;sclosed the fact that 1t was pcuperet with small holes though made with bird shot. These holes were made by tho insects in entering the bark As they eme ge from the chrysaiis state they leave the bark bv cracks caused by the decay due to their presence
 In sn interview with representative of The Advert tiser Dr. Wilcox scoffei al the idea that the shade trees of Montgomery had been blighted by the extremely cold temperature of 1899. He said the trees were blGhtcd pri- ,narily by the larvae, srperiEduced by the drought. More or less larvae are always prt sent in certain kinds of trees. he sasd. and debilitated them. Being facilitated and with out proper nourishmeut due to the drought they simply gave way and died.
 Speaking of the effect of cold temperature on trees. Dr. Wilcox said he had never ob- served any i'll effects upon elms oaks from low temperatures.
 Asked to suggest a remedy for the blieht caused by larvae, Dr. Wilcox soid the larvae worked near the base of the tree. If the trunk is whitewashed high five or eight feet from the ground it will act as a partial destroyer of the larvae He said however that the whitewash should be applied at a par. ticular season. adding that he had suggested to Mayor Joseph that the trees in Mnntgom- cry be whitewashed in January. He said that young trees might be saved from blight by carefully watering them about the roots.
 Mayor Joseph said when he received report from Dr. Wilcox upon the result of his in- vestigation, he would take steps to save the shade trees from further blight.
 From W. E. Wailes. public-spirited citi- zen of Selma. Mayor Joseph has also re- ceived a suggestion concerning tree blight. Mir wailes has written Mayor Joseph that when a large and elegant oak in front of his resi- dence began to blight ten years ago he ar rested the blight by using sulphur, He said he bored a hole in the body of the tree and filled the hole with pulverized sulphur Within d few months he observed an improvem mt in the condition of the tree and it is now in perfect health.
 Mayor Joseph may direct that the remedy suggested by MT. wailes be given a trial.