The Glenwood post., 1919-05-24
FIGHT THE APPLE WORM

familiar with the use of spray for the
control Of the coddling moth, so that u
discussion of such is unnecessary. How
ever, the wire screen band trap as de- /
scribed in Farmers Bulletin 90S, U. 8.
Department of Agriculture, may be new
to some. The trap is made as follows:
The material used is black painted
wire screen, l foot wide, IL meshes to
the inch, and burlap.
The wire screen is the ordinary fly
screen and l foot width is the most de-
sirable of the regular stock material
to use. Cut the screen into strips six
inches wide and fold over the edges
twice, allowing one-fourth inch to each
fold. A convenient way to fold the
edges is to use a folding machine as
employed by timers. If a crimping
machine, such as used by timers to re-
duce the ends of stovepipes, is at hand,
both edges of the wire screen should
then be run through the crimper. This
will give the. wire a very desirable
bulge and at the same time will permit
considerable expansion of the trunk
without breaking the screen. Next cut
the burlap into strips inches wide and
fold to three thicknesses. If the bur
lap, after cutting, is first soaked in
water, it can be readily creased, and
may be done in rolls for convenience
in handling.
Method Of Attaching
The traps may be fastened to the
trunks by one person, but if many are
to be attached it will be better for two
to work together. After the loose bark
has been removed from the crotches,
lower limbs and trunks, the traps may
be put in place.
Select the most regular section of the
trunk and encircle it with a strip OF
the burlap band. This is held in posi-
ton by large tacks, the heads of which
should project about one-fourth inch
| beyond the burlap, or total Of about
one half inch from the trunk. These
should be driven at intervals Of three
to four inches.
Next, cover .he band with the screen
and tack one end leaving the burlsp IN
the middle of the screen. Let one per
son grasp the lower edge Of the screen
with the pliers and draw tightly while
| the other taps it with hammer until
it conforms snugly and, at the same
time, fastens it to the trunk with tacks.
| Cut the wire screen long enough to al
low an overlap of three or four inches.
Proceed in tn, same way with the
upper edge and finally tack the lap
securely 1t is advisable to fasten the
lower edge first, since, If the upper
edge Is first attached, 1t is somewhat
difficult to see whether the lower edge
fits tightly. 1t will be noted that the
tacks extending beyond the burlaa serve
to prevent the wire screen from pressing
the band.
After the trap has been fastened,
any openings along the edges Of the
screen or at the lap may be filled with
pitch tar, which should be heated until
It can be readily applied with a brush.
The success Of the trap is dependent
upon the edges being in close contact
with the trunk, and, as long as there
| are no breaks, it will require no fur
| ther attention.
The principle of the trap is based
| upon the fact that the coddling moth
can enter a smaller opening than that
| through which the moth can escape.
When the worm completes its feeding
within the fruit it leaves and searches
for secluded place in which to spin
its cocoon. Usually it crawls up or
down the tree trunk and, upon encoun-
sering the trap, enters through the
wire screen. Once within the screen it
hides beneath the burlap and spins it's
cocoon, and later becomes a moth,
which. owing to its size is unable to
escape The moths are fragile and
soon die and are frequently destroyed
by other insects.
It must be clearly understood that
the trap is not substitute for spray
ing, bu an adjunct. Despite the most
thorough spraying, some worms will
escape the poison, and the offspring Of
these are largely responsible for the
damage to the fruit crop. By .he 'se
of the trap, in conjunction with csre'
full spraying The majority Of the un-
poisoned worms may be captured and
injury by iaicr broods thus greatly re-
cuced.
Ideal farm and atOck ranch. 277