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Show FARM AND GARDEN. MATTERS OP INTEREST TO AGRICULTURISTS.' one Cp-to-Date ntnta About Cultivation Cul-tivation of the Soil anil Yield! Thereof Horticulture, Viticulture and Floriculture Tht Canker Worm. Many complaints have been received re-ceived this spring from various localities locali-ties in the state in regard to the canker can-ker worm, looping catapillar, or measuring meas-uring worm,, as the above insect is called. The worms ar easily distinguished distin-guished from the other. ordinary pests of the orchard by their peculiar looping loop-ing or measuring mode of travel; hence the common names. , They are more properly known as canker worms, and can be found feeding on apple, cherry, plum, and other fruit trees and also on elm and other shade trees. The eggs are deposited in masses of a hundred or more on the branches and trunks of trees on which the worms feed; the fall canker worm laying the eggs in the autumn, the spring canker worm laying her eggs usually in early spring. In both cases the egg3 hatch while the buds are expanding, and the larvae feed upon the leaves until full grown. When they occur in large numbers they frequently fre-quently completely defoliate the trees. When full grown the larvae are about an inch in length and they then crawl down the tree ;or drop down by means of a aiiken thread. The adults of the fall canker worm emerge at about the time the first frosts appear. A few of the spring canker worms emerge at this time also, but the vast 'majority of them remain in the pupa state throughout the winter and emerge as adults at the first approach of warm weather early the next spring. In all cases the adult male canker worm has well developed wings and 'can fly. Unlike Un-like most moths, the female canker worm never has wings at all, and therefore cannot fly. She crawls to a suitable tree and ascends the trunk to the limbs above; there she awaits the male and then deposits her eggs. It at once becomes evident that if we can take advantage of the "weak point" in these insects and prevent the females from crawling up the trees to deposit their eggs, we can prevent the injury to the leaves. This has been done in a number of ways. A band of loose cotton, tied at the top only, or a band of tin fastened fast-ened around the trunk of the tree, or a band of heavy paper or cloth, on which is spread tar tnTxed with oil I to prevent dying, or printers' ink, or even refuse sorghum, will act as i barriers and either prevent the insect I from crawling over, or it will catch I and hold her. Of course, one must take precautien to stop all crevices between the band and the bark, after having first scraped off all loose bark( where the band is placed. When the females find they cannot crawl up the tree to deposit their eggs, they will frequently deposit them at the base of the tree or on the weeds near, and when the young larvae emerge they will try to crawl up the tree, and unless every minute crevice between be-tween the band and the tree be stopped, stop-ped, they will crawl through. Of course, one must attend to the bands properly and keep them covered with fresh tar or other sticky substance. The tin or cotton bands, of course, need no sticky substance on them, since they act as barriers by preventing pre-venting the insect from getting a foothold, or by becoming entangled in the cotton fibers. The bands must be applied very early in the fall, and kept there until late in the winter, and again very early in the spring sometimes even in January and not removed until summer. The best and most satisfactory method, however, of combating the canker worm is by the use of paris green. One pound of paris green and three pounds of lime in one hundred and twenty-five gallons of water should be sprayed on to ' the apple trees by means of a force pump and spray nozzle. This spraying should be done thoroughly, and every part well drenched. Care should be taken to keep the liquid constantly stirring, since paris green doe3 not dissolve in water and settles quickly. Be sure and purchase paris green that is pure. Prof. Stedman.MIssouri Agricultural College, Columbia. Mo. |