The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-05-06

When the insects emerge from the
ground the only evidence of wings IL
a pair of wing -pads-one on each
shoulder. But after emerging the
insect crawls up on a fence, tree OF
other object, and soon so expands the
body as TO split the skin open down
the back, and the insect deliberately
crawls out of this skin, a new orea-
ture, with soft whitieh body at first,
which hardens and turns darker on
exposure TO air and light. The insect
now has wings, but On first emerg-
ing from the shed skin, they are
small and crumpled. They are coon
expanded by continual heaving and
lifting, and after they r thus ok,
banded, they harden and are ready
for flight. Those who are in the
least interested in the wonders of
nature should not fail TO see this
operation of shedding the skin and
spreading the wings. We read that
most of the insects come out from
the ground soon after sunset, and if
at this time a watch be kept under
some apple tree (Which should be 25
or 80 years old) one will be sure to
have an opportunity to witness this
transformation. Or, If you Gan find
one of the insects just emerging
from the ground, bring it into the
house, place it under a glass with q
stick or spool to climb upon, and
watch the change.
The insects, both male and female,
are absolutely harmless TO man, and
may be handled with impunity. SEN
sationsl reports TO the contrary are
misleading, and we will have no adj
vice TO give those who shall write TO
us this summer asking for some
remedy for the "stings" or "bites''
of these harmless little creatures.
We expect also to receive dozens
of letters asking how TO destroy the
insects to keep them from killing
orchard trees, but they will not kill
the orchards. The young trees will
be likely to suffer most, but there
will be no damage beyond killing
some (perhaps many of the younger
twigs. They do not eat the leaves,
and do not drain the tree of it's sap.
Tho slitting of the twigs will only
kill the trees in the rarest instances.
1t will be a simple matter TO trim off
these affected twigs next winter, for
all fruit trees should be regularly
trimmed every winter. But If you
feel such a great desire to protect
your plants you may prevent consid-
able damage by giving the trees a
sudden and effective Earring in the
early morning when the chilled in
scots will drop to the ground and
may be crushed under foot.
An account of this insect will soon
appear in the Bulletin of the North
Carolina Department. of Agriculture,
and every farmer in the State who
does not receive the Bulletin should
lose no time in asking TO have his
name placed on the list TO receive it.
Write to Department. of Agriculture,
Raleigh, n. c., and ask TO have your
name placed on the mailing list. By
all means write plainly, sign your
name, and give your postofhoe, other
wise better save the time, trouble
and ink. Farmers should take the
Bulletins for many reasons. The
forth coming article on the Periodical
Cioada is only a small item of the in
formation that is regularly dissent
mated through it's pages.
We hope TO receive q report of this
insect from every locality in which
it appears this year, and we hope
that each report will be accompanied
by a few specimens as indlspu table
proof of the o~ocurrenc of the insect
in that locality. We are mapping
the distribution of the insect in
North Carolina. Send specimens in
small tin or wooden boxes-never
loose in paper packages or letters
and always indicate on the outside
of the package who, and where they
are from. Never leave holes TO ad-
NIT air, as insects need very little.
And, by the way, insects and in
scot pests of all kinds are studied at
this office, and at any time that in
formation along this line is desired,
we shall be glad to hear from you.
When inquiring about any insect,