Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-24

Inc li-NedI LOCUST ~ uue 10 ihdht ITO
appearance this year. According to Prof.
II. A. Surface, economic zoologist OF the
Pennsylvania State Department of Agri-
culture, 1T is very important that we
make preparation now for the occurrence
of these pests next spring. IL is true that
there was brood OF locusts in some OF
the southern counties of Pennsylvania
and in Delaware during 1902, but this
was the one commonly known to ento-
mologists as Brood No. XIII. The brood
which is to appear next spring Is by far
the larger and more destructive, and is
known TO entomologists as Brood No.
VIII. This Is, OF course the immediate
progeny of the locusts which occurred in
the outbreak of 1850.
"In its entire scope over the country it
covers portion of Southern Massachu-
setts, Rhode island, Connecticut, Long
Island and a portion of New York, New
Jersey, Delaware and Maryland to the
Chesapeake Bay, and extends inland
across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West
Virginia TO Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and
Kentucky. This pest will not, of course,
occur in all of the counties of Pennsyl-
vania, but may be anticipated in all eX-
cepting the northern counties. The best
thing for fruit growers to do is to inquire
of older residents, if the outbreak of the
seventeen-year locust occurred in their
region in 1889 If it be a locality where
these pests were not present, then it need
not be feared that they will occur there
next spring. However, wherever this pest
was present in 1889, fruit growers should
know Of this and be on the alert.
"lhey should not permit their trees,
especially young trees, TO remain untrim-
med until after the cicada or so-called
locust are deposited next spring. The
reason for permitting the trees to re-
main untrimmed is that the pests will
thus place their eggs in the wood Of
many branches, which can be cut away
and the symmetry of the top can be pre-
served, and many of the branches that
are especially desired may be retained.
However, if the trees be trimmed early
next spring, particularly if they be young
trees, all the branches that are permitted
TO remain will be, Of course, branches
that are desired. Upon these locusts will
crowd and viii pierce them in the process
of laying their eggs during June. The
branches will be SO badly injured that
they will be worthless, and the trees viii
be seriously deformed or set back by
cutting them Off, as there may be no
other branches 10 take their place. If
they be not cut off after the injury the
vitality of the tree win be greatly re-
duced and the injury TO the same will be
permanent. The more twigs that are per
mitted 10 remain, especially ON young
trees, the more scattered will be the in
jury, and the more easily can one trim
his tree in such manner as 10 cut away
the injured parts and preserve some of
the main branches at places where they
may be desired.
"Ihe reason for not planting young
trees next spring in localities where the
cicada or locust will occur is that the
pest appears 10 delight in placing its egg
in the trunks and larger branches OF
small trees, and when such trees are af-
ilicted it is impossible 10 restore them. as
they will always show the results of the
injuries received. A break in the trunk
during a stress of wind will occur at the
place where the tree has been weakened
by such means. Blight, decay and death
start at such spots. II should be clearly
remembered that it is folly TO plant
young orchards next spring in those re
gions where the cioada or locust occurred
in 1889 and wilFappear again this year.
Especially and emphatically upon ground
that was covered with bushes and trees
Il years ago should this be avoided.
"lt the instruction here given be fol
lowed with care, and the pruning or trim
ming be deferred until after the eggs are
laid next June. this can be made worth
thousands of dollars in saving Young
trees, but If such directions be not obs
served there will be hundreds of peonle
writing, when it is too late. asking
what to do TO save their trees from I'M,
jury. Now is the time 10 prepare to pre.
vent this, when the entire means is to be
prevention rather than remedy"