Shrubs, Plants, and the like from Caterpillars and other Insects.
Year: 1889

page_text: Shrubs, Plants, and the like from Caterpillars and other Insects.
I RUDOLF BESSEL of Paulau near Brieg in the Kingdom of Prussia and German
Empire, Teacher do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
:-
My invention has for its object to provide protective arrangements or apparatus,
which shall prevent caterpillars or other insects from injuring trees, plants, shrubs,
and the like. My protective arrangements are so devised that the caterpillar or
other insect is either hindered from going forward or is wounded or killed in its
ascent.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have here-
unto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, shewing methods of applying my
protective arrangement to trees.
One form of my protective arrangement is shown at figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4. of the
accompanying drawing; it consists of a band, Z. preferably made of tin-plate,
about 20 millimetres in breadth, in the centre line of the outer circumferance of
which very sharp pointed needles, a, are placed together in a row, as shown in
plan at fig. 1. Fig. 2. shows the arrangement extended in side view; fig. 3,
also extended, in a plan view; whilst fig. 4. shows the attachment to the tree-stem.
The needles do not exceed about 1 to 1 millimetres in diameter and 30 millimetres
in length, and are very sharp pointed, about the middle of each needle four
or other number, of sharp points, b, are fixed; when four are used, they are
arranged in pairs and placed opposite each other, in this way filling up the
interspaces between the needles.
By these sharp points so arranged the ascending and descending caterpillars are
wounded and killed, experience showing that every caterpillar so wounded dies.
The tin-plate band is attached to the tree stem by laying the plate round the stem,
in such manner, that the holes, at each end of the plate, lie one over the other,
and by driving wire tacks through these holes the plate is secured to the tree.

page_text: Any spaces left between the bark and the tin-plate band are filled up with clay or
similar substance. The inclined side points b.; can, if desired, be done without; and
the needles, a. may be arranged in repeated rows, one above another and can, with
suitable means, be beaten out or moulded from tin or other metal.
Figs. 5, and 6, represent, in side elevation and plan respectively, another form
of my protective arrangement, which consists of a nickel-plated, tin-plate band,
80 millimetres in breadth, laid round the tree stem, to which it is attached in the
same manner as already described. As the tin-plate band is very slippery, the
caterpillars cannot hold fast to it, nor move forward, but fall of their own weight
to the ground.
Figs. 7. 8. 9. and, 10. show a third manner of effecting the protective arrangement,
which consists of a reservoir, Z. made of tin or other suitable inetal or material which
is attached round the tree stem. The reservoir Z, is formed by two semi-circular
parts, a. and, a¹. The outer edge of the reservoir is about 40 millimetres and the
edge next the tree stem about 90 millemeters high, and the intervening space between
said outer and inner edges being about 50 millimeters. Over the reservoir, and
rising from its inner edge, is a roofing or cover, b. made about 85 millemeters in
breadth which protects the reservoir from rain etc. The reservoir may be filled
with a solution of Gall Creoline or other posinous solution. The caterpillars which
ascend the tree stem, fall into the reservoir and are killed by the liquid contained
therein. Fig. 7 shows the reservoir attached to the tree stem; figs. 8. and, 9. the
two single parts a. and, a² of the reservoir, with the grooves for joining these
together fig. 10. the protecting roof, b, as seen from above. In order to prevent
the liquid from oozing through the grooves, these are or may be coated with
*cement.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. Bands made of tin-plate or other metal and provided with needles, a. which
again carry points, b. said bands being so laid round the stems of trees, shrubs,
plants, and the like, that caterpillars or other insects are prevented from ascending
or descending and are killed.
2. Bands made of tin-plate, nickel plated, or equivalent, said bands being so laid
round the stems of trees, shrubs, plants, and the like, that caterpillars or other
insects are prevented from ascending or descending.
3. Reservoirs of tin-plate or other metal consisting of two parts, a, and, a', with
protecting roofs, b. which are so attached to the stems of trees, shrubs, plants, and
the like that the ascending and descending caterpillars or other insects fall into the
reservoirs, and are killed by the liquid contained therein, substantially as here-
before described, and shown in the drawing annexed.
Dated this 19th day of March 1889.