THE CODLIN MOTH.

Waikato Times, Volume xxx, Issue 2430, 7 February 1888, Page 2

THE CODLIN MOTH.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The following extract from Harper's, April, ISS6, should be of interest to your readers, who, like myself, have been experimenting with the oodliu moth, not ihat it contains much that is news, or what has not already appeared in your columns ; but being wr't'-n by ail authority and a dweller in me native habitat of this pest, it is ohietly interesting because the evil is regarded from a different standpoint and in a different manner than we do. It will be seen that the writer looks upon the pest as a permanency, and recommends palliative measures only. Another ominous difference is to be noted. In America (U.S.), according to the extract, the moth remains three weeks in the chrysalis state. Here I find by taking the grub from the apple and placing it under an inverted tumbler in a sunny room it becomes a fully-developed moth in from eight to nine days. As far as I can ascertain Paris green has been of little or no use in the neighbourhood of Auckland. In one instance I was assured by a thoroughlypractical man that it had been tried three times in one orchard this season without any effect. The following is the extract: —" The Codlin moth or apple worm is another enemy that should be fought resolutely, for it destroys millions of bushels of fruit. In the latitude of New York State this moth begins its depredations about the middle of June (about our December.) Whatever may be thought of the relation of the apple to the fall of man this creature leads to the spsedy fall of the apple. Who has not seen the ground covered with premature and decayins: fruit in July, August and September (January, February and' March). Each specimen willbe found perforated by a wormhule. The egg has been laid in the calyx of the youim apple where it soon hatches into a small white grub, which burrows into the core, throwing out behind it a brownish powder. After about three weeks of apple diet it eats its way out, shelters itself under the scaly bark of the tree—if allowed to be scaly, or in some other hiding place, spins a cocoon, and in about three weeks comes out a moth, and is ready to help destroy other apples. This insect probably constitutes one of Nature's mcthodsof preventing trees from overbearing, but likes ome people we know it so exaggerates its mission as to beccme an insufferable nuisance. The remedies recommended are that trees should be scraped free of all scales in the spring, aiid washed with a solution of soft soap. About the Ist of July (January,) wrap bandages of old cloth, carpet, or rags of any kind around the trunk or large limbs. The worms will appreciate such excellent cover, and will swarm into the hiding places to undergo transformation into moths. Therefore the wraps should often be taken down and thrown into scalding water, dried and replaced. The fruit as it falls should be picked up at once and carried to the pigs, and; when practicable, worm infested specimens should be taken from the trees before the worm escapes." After treating of the Canker worm, the writer adds, "Do not let the reader be discouraged by this list of the most common enemies or by hearing of others. In spite of all enemies and drawbacks, fruit is becoming more plentiful every year. If one man can raise it so can another." I may add from experience that the pest is rapidly spreading around Auckland. Those who have clean orchards now should try every means to keep them so, and assuredly they will reap their rich reward. Those who have not, will be astonished if they try the band treatment at the number of grubs they will trap, both in the bands and adhering to the tree.—l am, yours, Waltkk Scott, Ellerslie.