585s 
 
 . 
 
 ft
 
 v^ 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 William McPherson
 
 
 SHADE 
 
 
 IND1 
 
 Shrubs and 
 
 J. T. STEWART. M.D. 
 
 INSECTS THAT IXFE.ST THEM. 
 
 MISS EMMA A. SMITH. 
 
 
 [A, ILL 
 
 PRINTK
 
 Shrubs and J^ines, 
 
 J. T. STEWART, M. D., 
 
 MISS EMMA A. SMITH, 
 
 ENTOMOLOGIST. 
 
 PEORIA, ILL.: 
 
 TRANSCRIPT COMPANY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 
 1877.
 
 TO MY READERS. 
 
 The following pages are the result of many years observation 
 and much careful study. Every statement has been maturely con- 
 sidered. There may be and doubtless are errors, but I am sure a 
 critical examination and the test of experience, will prove them to 
 be few. I have endeavored to put in a small compass as much prac- 
 tical information as possible, on a subject on which much is needed. 
 It was written expressly for this city, though parts of it apply 
 
 equally to other places. 
 
 J. T. STEWART. 
 
 467679
 
 Shade Trees. 
 
 A little time devoted by every family to the culture of 
 shade trees and ornamental shrubbery, would add much to 
 the healthfulness and beauty of our city, and would have a 
 refining and elevating influence upon its people. 
 
 Every tastefully arranged and nicely kept yard invites 
 every passer-by to a higher and better life, and is a joy to 
 the family forever. The growing children drink in its 
 beauty, and make it a part of themselves as surely and 
 naturally as they breathe their native air. Coarse, unlovely 
 children, brought up in the midst of lovely surroundings, 
 are impossible things. 
 
 I wish to call attention to this subject, to urge its 
 importance and give some little information upon it. 
 
 Before planting a tree in any given locality, the first 
 thing to determine is what tree will flourish there. A 
 healthy tree is usually handsome, but a sickly tree never is. 
 
 As a rule, indigenous* trees are the most reliable. 
 Unfortunately our soil is such that but few of them will 
 grow. Experience and observation will add, year by year, 
 to our present knowledge, but if we had known twenty-five 
 years ago what we now know, or have the means of know- 
 ing, it would have saved us many thousand dollars that have 
 been wasted on trees that never will grow in this place. 
 
 During the last thirty years several thousand dollars 
 have been expended on trees in the court house square 
 alone; and with a few exceptions it is now filled with 
 the silver-leaf poplar. Although they are better than n 
 
 'Natives of the place or vicinity. 
 
 I
 
 (6) 
 
 shade trees, still when placed in such a soil, and in a place 
 so exposed as that square, the silver-leaf poplar is an inferior 
 and short-lived tree. 
 
 We have our own peculiar soil and location, and many 
 trees that will flourish in a prairie loam having a clay sub- 
 soil, will not grow here. 
 
 Most of that portion of the city that lies between the 
 bluff on the one side, and the lake and river on the other, 
 has a thin, sandy soil, with a sand and gravel subsoil. It 
 slopes towards the river in a southwesterly direction, and 
 except a strip near the bluff which is a little depressed, is 
 thoroughly drained. 
 
 Having such a declivity, soil and subsoil, it becomes 
 excessively dry in summer. In exposed places it is not 
 uncommon for the ground to dry live feet below the surface. 
 And what is worse, when thoroughly dried, in places the 
 subsoil becomes almost as hard as rock. It is that peculiar 
 formation which is commonly and appropriately termed 
 hard pan. Hence the extreme difficulty of making many 
 trees grow that do well in other places. 
 
 That portion of the city which lies on the bluff has quite 
 a different soil and subsoil, and a different exposure. That 
 part northeast of the Knoxville road, has a clay loam, with 
 a clay subsoil, and is somewhat rolling. That part which 
 lies southwest of the Knoxville road, has chiefly a rich 
 prairie loam, with a clay subsoil, and is rather level. Here 
 almost any of the forest trees will grow. There is much 
 less difficulty in raising trees anywhere on the bluff than in 
 raising them below, and as it is a little cooler there in 
 summer, there is in reality not quite so much necessity for 
 them. 
 
 TREES THAT WILL GROW BETWEEN THE BLUFF AND THE RIVER. 
 
 In the plateau between the bluff and the river, we 
 
 would recommend for outside planting, the following trees: 
 
 The Hackberry Celtis pccidentalis; the White Elm
 
 (7) 
 
 Ulmus Americana; the Soft, or Silver Leaf Maple Acer 
 dasycarpum; the American and European Linn Tilia Ameri- 
 cana and Tilia Europcea ; the Box Elder Negundo Aceroides. 
 
 Of these six species, the Hackberry is beyond compari- 
 son, the best. It is difficult to say which of the others 
 should have the preference. Taking all things into account, 
 perhaps they have about equal merits. All, except the 
 European Linn, are natives of our forests, prefer rnoist, 
 rich land, but will flourish in almost any soil. 
 
 The Hackberry is a medium sized tree, resembling the 
 elm; has a medium growth, is clean and symmetrical. 
 When not crowded its top rounds up well and becomes 
 quite dense. Its spray is the most graceful of our forest 
 trees, and it holds its leaves till late in autumn. It is 
 exceedingly tough. Its limbs never break. It will bear 
 any amount of trampling around, and any amount of 
 drouth, heat, cold, dust and smoke. It bears a dark purple 
 globuler stone fruit, about the size of a pea, with a thin, 
 sweet pulp, ripening late in the fall. It is rarely infested 
 with insects; in fact, I never knew this tree to be injured 
 by them! The only insect that seems to fancy it is the 
 Psylla Celtides Mam-ma. Riley, which sometimes forms 
 little gulls on the leaves. It grows slowly when small, but 
 when it becomes large enough for transplanting, its growth 
 is fully equal to that of the elm. A row of these trees may 
 be seen in front of Mr. David Proctor's place, on Perry 
 street. Another, and the largest one in the city, groWs in 
 Dr. I. W. Johnson's front yard, on Perry street. There is 
 one in Mr. W. H. Cruger's front yard, and there are two in 
 the court house square. A few others may be seen in the 
 eity, most of which were set out -last year. A good sized 
 tree of this species grows in Chambers street, on the bluff. 
 For some distance 'round the tree, the earth has been 
 vvnslied from the roots, which have been battered and 
 trampled enough to kill many trees ; yet, under this treat- 
 | ment, it seems not only to have suffered no injury, but to 
 thrive.
 
 A large sized typical tree of this kind may be seen 
 across the river, about a mile beyond the bridge, at the 
 crossing of the Groveland and Pekin roads. It was very 
 symmetrical and beautiful, but recently a telegraph wire 
 has been passed through the top of it, and some of the 
 limbs, on one side, have been cut off, which, of course, 
 mars its beauty, still by seeing it now one may form an idea 
 of what it was before it was mutilated. 
 
 The White Elm is, perhaps, the most famous of our 
 American shade trees; but, in this dry soil, it will not 
 develope its full proportions, therefore it must take a second 
 place. Its top is apt to become open and unsymmetrical, 
 and it is sometimes seriously injured by bark lice. For a 
 few years after it is set out, it grows slowly but finally 
 improves and grows quite rapidly. It is so well known 
 that it needs no especial description. 
 
 The Soft Maple is a rapid grower, a clean, elegant tree, 
 but is very brittle. The limbs are liable to split from the 
 body and break off. In their native forests they grow close 
 together, tall and slender, and protect each other from the 
 wind; the tops are smaller and the limbs less liable to 
 break. The bark is tender when young, and requires care- 
 ful protection. It is somewhat subject to the inroads of 
 borers. Recently a few trees have been attacked by an 
 enemy that is new to this part of the country, which may 
 prove serious here as it has proved in parts of Missouri. 
 
 For a full description of this insect, and the best method 
 of destroying it, I refer you to Miss Smith's paper. 
 
 The Box Elder is a medium sized tree, having a medium 
 growth, and while young a tender bark, but if protected 
 does well and is quite hardy. Like its relative, the Soft 
 Maple, it is sometimes injured by borers. It bears cultiva- 
 tion well and is a handsome tree anywhere, but in the river 
 bottoms where it luxuriates, it is very beautiful, and makes 
 a rapid growth. On moist, rich prairie land but few trees 
 grow more rapidly or present a finer appearance.
 
 (9) 
 
 The European and American Linn are elegant trees and 
 do well. The former is the more handsome of the two, 
 and merits more attention than it has received. Dr. Gr. L. 
 Lucas has a fine row of them on his grounds, on the bluff. 
 Mr. J. B. Smith has one in his yard, and there are a few 
 others in the city. A good specimen of the American 
 Linn, and by far the largest one in the city, grows in the 
 front yard, of the place on south Jefferson street, formerly 
 occupied by Mr. J. McClay Smith. A smaller but a typical 
 one grows in Mrs. Purple's yard, on Fulton street. 
 
 These are the only trees, that with our present knowl- 
 edge, we would recommend for outside planting, as all 
 others, heretofore, have either done badly or totally failed. 
 For inside planting quite a variety may be added, among 
 them many of those recommended for the bluff; but judg- 
 ment must be exercised in their selection and location. 
 
 fferfd 
 
 We are not now discussing the relative merits or 
 demerits of trees as trees, but their fitness for our purpose. 
 For beauty and durability, the Hard or Sugar Maple Acer 
 Saccharinum, stands among the very first forest trees of 
 'America or the world, but unfortunately, except in a few 
 places, it will not live between the bluff and the river, 
 either outside or inside. From the early days of Peoria to 
 the present time, it has been tried again and again, and has 
 almost invariably failed. 
 
 During the last forty years several thousand have been 
 set out, and with many of them, great care was taken, and 
 what have we to show for it? Just two survive that are of 
 any size ; one of these is in the lot on Jefferson street, 
 adjoining the Library, and has been there forty years. It 
 is now about twenty-five feet high, and four feet above the 
 ground, measures twelve inches in diameter. The other 
 one is on Mr. Robert Grier's lot, corner of Perry and Ham- 
 
 2
 
 (10) 
 
 ilton streets. It has been there thirty-five years, and is 
 about the same size. It is, by no means, as healthy and 
 vigorous as it was five years ago. And these, remember, 
 are not on the sidewalk, but inside. Not one that was set 
 on the street twenty-five years ago is alive. 
 
 The further planting of this tree under the bluff, except 
 in a few spots where there is clay in the sub-soil, is sheer 
 folly. On the bluff it does well either outside or inside, 
 except in exposed places. Some years ago Mr. Grove set 
 out a row of twenty-two in front of his place, which is one of 
 the most exposed on the bluff. Eight of them have been 
 re-set or their places left vacant, and one-half the rest should 
 be placed on the invalid list. If in this place, instead of the 
 Hard Maple, he had set the Hackberry, it would now be a 
 splendid row of trees. 
 
 on 
 
 Bluff. 
 
 On the bluff we are not restricted as we are under it. 
 All the trees recommended for below will do well here, 
 and many more. It is not necessary to be so careful what 
 trees are put on the sidewalks, but as a general rule the 
 larger and more hardy ones should be selected for this pur- 
 pose, and the smaller and more tender trees for the inside. 
 
 There are five species of Ash in our forest, all of which 
 do well and are handsome trees. 
 
 The Sycamore is a stately tree, and should, by no means, 
 be neglected. 
 
 The Catalpa is a native of the southern states; is an 
 elegant tree and may be planted in protected places. It is 
 a clean tree, a rapid grower, has large, rich, green foliage, 
 and covers itself in spring with panicles of white flowers. 
 It is unfit for planting on the streets, but in places both 
 below and on the bluff, it has done well inside. In the 
 latitude of southern Illinois it is reliable, but here it some- 
 times winter kills.
 
 (11) 
 
 The Honey Locust, especially that variety which is 
 thornless, or nearly so, is a beautiful tree and does well, 
 fine specimens may be seen in front of Mr. Hogue's and 
 Mr. LazelPs places, on the bluff"; there is also one in the 
 court house square. It is a large hardy forest tree, with 
 large pinnate and twice pinnate leaves, and a profusion of 
 little leaflets, of a deep rich green color. 
 
 The Kentucky Coffee Tree, or as it is commonly called, 
 the coffee nut tree Gynmocladus Canadensis, we would 
 especially recommend for the beauty of its foliage. In this 
 respect, it has no equal in our forest, and but few superiors 
 in the world. It has very large decompound leaves, with a 
 multitude of graceful leaflets. It is usually a small tree, 
 but sometimes attains to considerable size. There is one in 
 Mr. Darst's (formerly Frink's) grove, that measures two 
 feet in diameter. 
 
 The Black Walnut is a large forest tree, and where it is 
 'not trampled about, and there is not too much smoke and 
 dust, does well. It is one of the finest trees in the world 
 for timber, but in a city, is not so well adapted for a shade 
 tree. 
 
 The Wild Black Cherry is a nice little tree, but tender. 
 
 The Persimmon cultivates well, and is a fine little shade 
 tree. 
 
 The Horse Chestnut will do well inside, especially on 
 the bluff, so will its brother, our Buckeye, but it grows 
 slowly. These trees are the first to put out in the spring, 
 and while in leaf, are very handsome. I hope more of 
 them will be planted. They shed their leaves early in the 
 fall, sometimes in August. They have one peculiarity which 
 not many deciduous trees have; in from four to five weeks 
 they make their entire growth for the year, during the 
 summer and fall they are preparing the next year's growth. 
 Every leaf and every flower is formed and packed in the 
 buds ready to unfold and expand the following spring.
 
 (12) 
 
 The Norway Maple has been introduced by Mr. A. P. 
 Bartlett, in his grounds on the bluff, and has done well. 
 It is a splendid tree, clean, with a well rounded dense top, 
 and a profusion of foliage. We strongly recommend this 
 tree for the bluff. Mr. Bartlett has also the English Elm, 
 which is superior even to our White Elm. It is probably 
 as hardy, grows a little faster, arid its top is more dense. 
 
 The Cucumber Tree Magnolia Acwnmaia, is a large 
 and elegant tree. It is perfectly, hardy, and in rich land 
 grows rapidly. I think there is not one in the city. Why 
 it has npt been introduced is more than I can understand. 
 As an ornamental shade tree, it has few equals; it may be 
 obtained at any of the nurseries. The rest of the mag- 
 nolies, winter-kill, and are worthless for planting here. 
 
 The Pecan has been highly recommended, both for a 
 shade and fruit tree. How this may be I cannot say from 
 observation. I hope it may prove to be an exception to 
 the hickory family, of which it is a member, as it is a use- 
 ful and ornamental tree. 
 
 The Mulberry is a handsome little tree, but tender. 
 
 The Sassafras is a handsome little tree, hardy and well 
 adapted for inside planting, either on or under the bluff. 
 It is the only representative of the Laurel family in this 
 vicinity. Every part of the tree- is aromatic, especially the 
 bark and leaves. 
 
 The Butternut or White Walnut is rather a handsome 
 little tree, and does well inside where there is not much 
 smoke and dust. 
 
 The Mountain Ash is worthless under the bluff, but in 
 some protected places on the bluff, has done reasonably 
 well. It is too handsome to discard altogether. 
 
 The Shepherdia argentea, the Buffalo Berry of the 
 upper Missouri and the Rocky Mountains, is a small tree 
 that ought to be further introduced. There is now but one 
 in the city, and it is in Mr. Mathew Griswold's yard, on
 
 (13) 
 
 Madison Street. It is hardy and has a profusion of slen- 
 der leaves, silver gray on both sides, giving the whole top 
 a bright, rich, silvery appearance. 
 
 The White Willow Salix filba, is a good tree, a native of 
 Europe, a rapid grower, and ^flourishes here. 
 
 The common Silver Leaf Poplar grows rapidly almost 
 anywhere, but on exposed places is short lived. It is sub- 
 ject to borers and sprouts dreadfully. 
 
 The Populus M)ilaiata Lombardy Poplar, is a unique 
 tree, a rapid groover, rather handsome, but is very short 
 lived. 
 
 The Cottonwood is a rapid grower and flourishes in any 
 moist soil, but cannot be regarded as a choice tree. 
 
 The Red, or Slippery Elm, is of little value for a shade 
 tree. 
 
 Our Oaks and Hickories do not do well for shade trees. 
 They do not bear trampling 'round, and the heat, dust and 
 smoke of the city destroy them. 
 
 The Yellow Poplar, or Tulip tree, winter-kills and is 
 unreliable. In some protected places a few have grown to 
 considerable size and are still healthy and vigorous, but 
 nearly all that have been put out in the city are now dead. 
 
 The Ailanthus winter-kills and is unreliable. 
 
 The Black Locust has, fortunately, been killed by bor- 
 ers. It is a rapid grower but not a choice tree. 
 
 Fruit trees are not desirable for shade trees in a city. 
 The Apple, Peach and Cherry, especially the two latter, are 
 short lived. The Pear tree lives longer, but the heat, 
 smoke and dust of cities injure them all, and prevent them 
 from fruiting well. 
 
 The Chestnut tree has done badly and cannot be recom- 
 mended.
 
 (14) 
 
 1. DECIDUOUS.* 
 
 The Birches are fine ornamental trees and hardy, though 
 they do not make much shade. The. European White 
 Birch Betula Alba, is the most ornamental of the family, 
 and will thrive/in the most barren soil. It is well suited 
 for inside planting, anywhere in the city. 
 
 In the extreme north it is a mere shrub. In the north 
 of Europe it is a lofty tree. In the south of Europe it is 
 smaller and the timber inferior. The climate here is suited 
 to its full development. 
 
 A smaller and inferior variety of this species, called the 
 American White Birch Betula tfopulifolia, is found in the 
 
 eastern states. 
 
 / 
 The Betula Papyracea Canoe Birch, the bark of which 
 
 the Indians use for making canoes, is a handsome tree, 
 grows rapidly on rich prairie soil, and would do well on 
 the bluff. 
 
 The Black, Yellow and Ked Birches are all natives of 
 the northern part of the United States and Canada, are all 
 handsome trees ; prefer moist, rich land, and will doubtless 
 thrive on the bluff. 
 
 The Larix, or Larch, is a cone-bearing tree, with needle 
 shaped leaves, but not an evergreen. 
 
 The Larix Americana, Black Larch, Hackmetack, Tam- 
 arack, grows in swamps in the north and northeastern 
 portions of the United States, and further north it is found 
 also on uplands. It flourishes on our prairies, will do well 
 on the bluff, and is a handsome tree. 
 
 The Larix Europcea European Larch is a native of the 
 mountainous parts of Europe, and the south of Russia. It 
 
 *Trees that shed (heir leaves annually.
 
 (15) 
 
 is extensively cultivated in England and on the continent 
 of Europe for timber and ornament. Its timber is among 
 the most durable and valuable in the world. It is a rapid 
 grower and very ornamental. It is one of the most reliable 
 and desirable trees for planting on the bluff. 
 
 2. EVERGREENS. 
 
 Under the bluff, except in a few spots where clay is 
 mixed with the sub soil, all" evergreens have failed, and 
 will continue to fail. They live and thrive a few years and 
 then die for want of nutriment. They literally starve to 
 death. We do not know how to supply the deficient nour- 
 ishment, and if we knew, it would probably cost too much 
 to be practicable. But on the bluff a few species will suc- 
 ceed. 
 
 The Scotch, Austrian and White Pine may be recom- 
 mended. 
 
 The Scotch Pine Pinus sylvestris, is the least orna- 
 mental of the three ; but it is so hardy, grows so well, and 
 is so easy to cultivate, that in a place like this, where so few 
 evergreens will flourish, it is worthy of notice and should 
 be planted. It constitutes a large part of the forests of 
 northern Europe, and makes the best of timber. 
 
 The Austrian Pine Pinus Austriaca, is a native of the 
 mountainous regions of Austria, where it grows to the 
 hight of one hundred to one hundred and twenty feet. It 
 is more ornamental than the last, and is equally hardy, but 
 requires more care in transplanting. As it becomes a large 
 tree, and is a rapid grower, it should not be crowded but 
 have an abundance of room. The same may be said of the 
 White Pine and the Norway Spruce. 
 
 The White Pine Pinus Strobus, is so well known it 
 needs no description here. /In Pennsylvania, New York, 
 New England, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota it has 
 been very abundant, and in parts of Michigan, Wisconsin 
 and Minnesota it still is. It is the tree from which our
 
 (16) 
 
 common pine lumber is made. It is one of the most grace- 
 ful trees of the pine family. If it were a rare foreign tree, 
 its beauty would be appreciated. It grows well on the 
 bluff, and should be more extensively cultivated for orna- 
 ment. 
 
 Perhaps it may be proper to add the Yellow Pine Pinus 
 mitis. It is rather a pretty evergreen and will grow on the 
 bluff. 
 
 The Norway Spruce Abies Excelsa, is one of the finest 
 of evergreens. It is a lofty forest tree, indigenous to 
 northern Europe and Asia, and further south among the 
 mountains where it is very abundant. It lives to a great 
 age. It is said by Michaux to require one hundred and 
 fifty years to develop its full proportions. Bryant in his 
 work on forest trees, says: "No other evergreen is more 
 easily raised from seed ; no other is more cheaply obtained 
 from nurseries; no other is more successfully transplanted. 
 It is perfectly hardy ; its growth is vigorous and rapid ; its 
 branches and foliage dense and compact, and it readily 
 adapts itself to a variety of soils and climate. Its lower 
 branches are persistent; its growth is perfectly upright, 
 and where room is allowed, it pushes its limbs out in all 
 directions in defiance of the force of the wind." 
 
 The Hemlock Abies Canadensis, is a graceful tree, with 
 dense, dark green foliage, a native of the colder parts of the 
 United States and Canada. It will doubtless thrive best 
 where it is somewhat protected from the sun. 
 
 Bryant says of it: "Although despised as 'common' 
 by many in the countries where it is native, the Hemlock 
 has few, if any, equals among evergreens as an ornamental 
 tree." 
 
 The Balsam Fir Abies Balsamea, is handsome while 
 young, but is short lived and of little value. 
 
 The Red Cedar Juniperus Virginiana, does reasonably 
 well on the declivities of the bluff. Its growth, however,
 
 (17) 
 
 is very slow, and in the winter its foliage becomes dark and 
 dingy. 
 
 The Dwarf or Ground Juniper Juniperus Communis, 
 and the Sweedish and Irish Junipers, which aite varieties 
 of this species, is an evergreen which we must not overlook 
 or neglect. It might have been placed among the other 
 shrubs, but I prefer noticing it here. It is a prostrate or 
 ascending shrub, with a profusion of branches spreading 
 in all directions, and is very ornamental. It will nourish 
 on the most exposed gravelly and barren knolls, of the bluff 
 where few other things will grow. If extensively planted 
 in these places, it would relieve them of their barren aspect, 
 and add much to the beauty of our city. They may be 
 obtained at most of the nurseries. 
 
 The Arbor Vita Thuja Occidentalis, is the best evergreen 
 for ornamental screens and hedges. It prefers rocky 
 places, the borders of streams or swamps, but grows well 
 on the bluff, as it does on prairie soil generally. 
 
 Doubtless other evergreens will grow here, and I hope 
 more may be introduced on trial, but the success of those 
 we have named is already an assured fact. 
 
 In this climate, all transplanting of trees should be done 
 in spring. They should be neither too large nor too small, 
 but about medium size. If they are too large they will not do 
 so well, and if they are too small it involves an unnecessary 
 loss of time. They should be dug up carefully, and plenty of 
 roots taken with them. The roots should be exposed neither 
 to the sun nor cold air, nor be allowed to dry. Many trees 
 are ruined in this way before they are set. Never buy or 
 receive trees that are brought into the city with the roots 
 exposed, unless it is a cloudy, damp day, and you know 
 they have been recently dug. As the roots are necessarily 
 more or less broken and cut off, the to^ should be cut back 
 
 3
 
 (18) 
 
 in proportion, so as to maintain an equilibrium between 
 them. They should be set the same depth or a little deeper 
 than they originally grew. Each root that is broken 
 should be cut smoothly with a sharp knife, sloping from 
 the tree outwards, with the cut surface downward. 
 The hole should be large, and when the tree is set in 
 it, filled with fine earth to near the surface, taking care 
 that the rootlets are well spread out and put in their natu- 
 ral position, then fill up with water and while it is settling, 
 work the tree up and down so that every crevice will be 
 filled with earth, in a semi-liquid state; in this way, every 
 root will come in immediate contact with the soil. This 
 is one of the most important things to be observed in set- 
 ting a tree. Then fill the hole to a level with the surround- 
 ing earth and mulch with old straw, rotted leaves, or 
 (what is equally good) four or five inches of sand, this will 
 retain the moisture till the roots grow and acquire strength 
 to support themselves. One or two quarts of oats, or one- 
 half peck of potatoes put in the bottom of the hole before 
 the tree is set, will assist in retaining moisture about the 
 roots. 
 
 It is a good plan, especially the first summer, to protect 
 the bodies of young trees from the sun, as many of them 
 are killed by it. The bodies of trees need no sunlight. 
 They are better without it. In their native state they are 
 usually protected frora the sun by other trees when young, 
 and as they grow older, their own tops shade them. 
 
 For the first few years it is better to spade around them 
 every spring, and mulch them. In the fall when the 
 leaves drop, leave them under and around the trees, they 
 give protection to the roots and nutriment to the soil. 
 Leaves should never be removed from our lawns or grass 
 plats, as they ^protect the grass in winter and enrich the 
 ground more than anything else that can be applied. 
 
 When trees are set in rows, each row should be of the 
 same kind. Planting different species in the same row,
 
 (19) 
 
 especially alternating them, destroys the effect and shows 
 bad taste. In a large ground or park, where they are 
 planted promiscuously, in imitation of nature, a judicious 
 mingling and grouping of different species is in good taste, 
 and gives the whole a natural and pleasing appearance. 
 
 The same principles that apply to the transplanting of 
 deciduous trees, apply also to evergreens, but greater care 
 is necessary to insure success. There is one difference, 
 however, the tops should not be cut back. The roots must 
 not be exposed to the sun, to drying winds, or to cold. As 
 soon as the tree is' taken from the ground, its roots should 
 be dipped in liquid earth and then covered with wet can- 
 vas, moss or straw, so as to retain the moisture until it is 
 reset. A failure to observe this will be likely to injure, if 
 not ruin it. Cloudy weather is the better time to trans- 
 plant all trees, especially evergreens. 
 
 It is better to transplant evergreens while small, as they 
 will then make better trees and are less liable to die. All 
 authorities agree that they should not be transplanted dur- 
 ing the growing season, and most of them agree that here 
 in the west, the best time is in early spring. 
 
 f)e<5iduou fee. 
 
 As a general rule, the less shade trees are pruned the 
 better. Nature will form a better top and a more harmo- 
 nious tree in all its parts than art. Severe pruning is no 
 longer practiced even in fruit orchards by our best horticul- 
 turists. The custom that formerly prevailed, of pruning 
 evergreens and other trees, so as to make top-shaped, ovate, 
 and other fantastic tops is no longer regarded as good taste. 
 If you want a tree wi^h a low spreading top, plant one that 
 grows that way. If you want an ovate or pyramidal top,
 
 (20) 
 
 plant a tree that will make such a top, but do not attempt 
 to, force trees to assume different forms from those which 
 nature gives them. Each tree treated in this way is a 
 standing lie, and proclaims to every passer-by the folly of its 
 owner. 
 
 The true idea is to make each species assume as nearly as pos- 
 sible the typical form, of that species. To do this, some pruning 
 is sometimes necessary. If trees are not crowded if each 
 one has room enough for the air and sunlight to have free 
 access to it on all sides, it will round out and develop its 
 full proportions, and if it does not actually attain it, will 
 approximate its typical form. Where the lower limbs are 
 in the way, of course they must be sacrificed, but where 
 they are not, leave them and you will, have a finer and 
 more thrifty tree. If a limb, as is often the case with the 
 elm in our dry soil, extends beyond the rest, absorbing the 
 strength and destroying the symmetry of the tree, it should 
 be cut back while yet small. 
 
 The Soft Maple often throws out limbs that have no 
 firm attachment to the body, and will sooner or later split 
 off; these should be removed while small. The idea of 
 cutting back the top of a soft maple, or any other tree, to 
 prevent it from becoming top-heavy, is fallacious; it relieves 
 for the time but makes it worse afterward. If a Soft 
 Maple, as some of them will do, breaks bodily, and con- 
 tinues to do so, it is better to remove it and plant another 
 in its place. Severe pruning lowers the vitality of any 
 ordinary tree, making it less able to bear the drouth and 
 heat of summer, and the cold of winter, and leaving it an 
 easy prey to borers and other noxious insects. 
 
 As a strong man is able to resist disease, so a vigorous 
 tree is able to resist the attacks of its enemies, while a 
 feeble one succumbs. 
 
 So far as possible all limbs should be removed while 
 small. It is rarely necessary to cut a large limb from a 
 tree that has been properly cared for.
 
 (21) 
 fcrf fVuning ediduou^ 
 
 On this question there is much difference of opinion 
 among tree-growers. Some contend that late autumn is 
 the best time; others, that it should be done while the 
 tree is in its most vigorous growth, say in May or June; 
 others again, in the early part of the growing season, when 
 the young leaf stems first show themselves. I think the 
 last is the most favorable time, for then we have almost the 
 entire summer's growth to heal over the wound. All 
 agree that the worst possible time is in early spring, just 
 when people usually prune. If pruning is done at this 
 time, as soon as the sap begins to flow, it exudes from the 
 wounds, weakens the tree, and is apt to cause the wood to 
 decay. Trees recently transplanted are an exception, they 
 do not suffer in this way, and for special reasons, usually 
 require more or less pruning when set out. The wound 
 left after removing a large limb is best treated by a mud 
 plaster, bound on with a cloth. Wax which is often recom- 
 mended becomes heated by the sun, and is liable to irritate 
 and blister the parts around the wound. The wounds that 
 are made in cutting off small limbs need no application. 
 
 There is usually a ridge, called the collar, around the 
 base of each limb. It has been a subject of dispute whether 
 this collar should be removed with the limb or left on and 
 the limb cut outside of it. I prefer removing it. If it is 
 not removed it is apt to die down to the body of the tree. 
 There are often latent buds in this collar which develop 
 when the limb is taken off. Though in removing it the 
 cut surface is a little larger, yet it heals over quicker and 
 smoother, and there is no sprouting around it. 
 
 Deciduous shade trees require little pruning, and ever- 
 greens, still less. The beauty of an evergreen is spoiled 
 when the lower limbs are removed. If anv ot the side
 
 (22) 
 
 branches become irregular or grow out of proportion, they 
 should be shortened. If the tree throws up two or more 
 leaders, all but one should be removed. "If the leader is 
 lost, it may be restored by lashing a rod to the stem of the 
 tree, and tying one of the side shoots to it, in a position as 
 nearly upright as possible." If you fail in this, dig up the 
 tree, and put another in its place. 
 
 There are in this vicinity a number of ornamental 
 shrubs to which I wish to call attention. They are not 
 appreciated for two reasons: first, though growing around 
 us, they are scarcely known, and second, they do not come 
 from Europe, China, Japan or some other foreign country. 
 
 The Amelanchier Canadensis June Berry, Service Berry, 
 Shad Bush, is intermediate between a tree and a shrub, 
 attaining to the hight of from fifteen to twenty feet, belongs 
 to the Rosacese family, has a graceful form, clean bark, and 
 beautiful foliage. It covers itself in early spring before 
 the leaves are out, with a profusion of racemes of white 
 flowers which are very beautiful. It bears an edible berry 
 about the size of a huckleberry. It grows on the river 
 hills above Prospect Hill, across the river among the bluffs, 
 and also on Kickapoo Creek. It is hardy, and few shrubs 
 are more ornamental. There is one in the grounds of the 
 late Charles Ballance, on South-Adams street, and one in 
 the yard of Mr. James, corner Monroe and Jackson streets. 
 A few others have been introduced and have given satis- 
 faction. 
 
 The Red Bud Cercis Canadensis, is a large shrub or 
 small tree of the Leguminosae order, with large heart-shaped, 
 smooth, entire, pointed leaves, and in early spring before 
 the leaves appear, bears a profusion of red-purple flowers. 
 It is clean, free from insects, holding its leaves till late 
 autumn. It prefers rich soil and is easily cultivated. It
 
 (23) 
 
 is common in this vicinity and deserves more attention than 
 it has received. 
 
 There are three species and a number of varieties of the 
 Red Haw in this vicinity, Cratagus coccinea, tomentosa and 
 Crus-galli, all of which are worthy, of cultivation. They 
 are large and very hardy shrubs, some of them attaining 
 to the size of small trees. They all bear white flowers in 
 the spring, and red berries in the fall. They belong to the 
 Rosacese family and are no mean representatives of it. 
 
 The Black Haw Viburnum /Lentago belongs to the 
 Honeysuckle family, and is a lage handsome shrub. It 
 bears some resemblance to the Snowball, but is a finer shrub. 
 It blooms in May and June, flowers white in large flat com- 
 pound cymes. It will grow in any soil, but prefers rich 
 loam. 
 
 The Staphylea trifolia Staff-tree, American Bludder 
 Nut, is one of my little favorites. It grows in thickets 
 usually on moist hill sides, eight or ten feet high, slender, 
 with greenish striped branches, trifoliate leaves, pendent 
 racemes, of greenish white flowers, pods membranous, 
 inflated three lobed, about an inch long and three-fourths 
 of an inch in diameter. A specimen may be seen in my 
 side yard. 
 
 The Red-osier Cornus stolonifera, is found in boggy 
 places, but will grow in any moist soil. The branches and 
 long, slender annual shoots, are bright red-purple, very 
 handsome. It multiplies freely by subterranean suckers, 
 and forms broad clumps six to ten feet high. It bears 
 white flowers in June, and white to lead colored fruit in 
 the fall. 
 
 The Cornus alternifolia Alternate Leaved cornel, is 
 a little taller shrub, found on hill, sides in copses, with 
 slender, greenish branches, broad cymes of handsome white 
 flowers, and pretty foliage, the whole presenting a grace- 
 ful appearance.
 
 (24) 
 
 The Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo, grows in moist 
 places on the banks of streams, is common around here, 
 and should be introduced in our grounds. It belongs to 
 the Legurninosae family, has pinnate leaves, and clustered, 
 terminal spikes of violet purple flowers. As found in this 
 vicinity, it is usually six to eight feet high, but it is some- 
 times much taller. 
 
 The Euonymus atropurpureus Waahoo, Burning Bush, 
 is common in our woods and thickets, will grow in sun- 
 shine or shade, but prefers partially shaded places. When 
 fully developed it is from ten to fifteen feet high. It is a 
 pretty shrub, with green, four-sided branches, arid bears 
 panicles of little purple flowers. In autumn when covered 
 with . its deeply lobed crimson fruit, drooping on long 
 peduncles, it is very ornamental. It requires little room, 
 and will do well in places that are so shaded nothing else 
 will grow. It should be sheltered from the north wind. 
 
 The Euonymus Europceus, is cultivated and highly 
 esteemed a little further south, but is not quite hardy 
 here. Our Euonymus is almost as handsome and is hardy, 
 though it flourishes best in protected places. 
 
 The Euonymus Japanica is a common greenhouse shrub. 
 
 The common Sumac Rhus glabra, is so common we do 
 not realize that it is pretty, yet it is, and should be in every 
 one's grounds. It always grows and looks fresh, never 
 becomes large, and lives to a great age. 
 
 The Aromatic Sumac Rhus aromaticus, grows from 
 four to six feet high, is ascending, inclined to spread around 
 loosely, has pretty aromatic foliage, and spikes of little yel- 
 low flowers appearing before the leaves in early spring. 
 These flowers, like the flowers of the soft maple, and many 
 other plants, are formed during the fall, and have only to 
 expand when the warm weather comes in the spring. It 
 loves dry, gravelly places, and will flourish where nothing 
 else will. These two species of Rhus belong to a poisonous 
 family, but are innocent members of it.
 
 (25) 
 
 Vines are rny favorites. No grounds are complete 
 without them. Nature never plants a park without inter- 
 spersing it with vines. There is a peculiar grace and 
 beauty a charm about vines, that pertains to nothing else. 
 They are the poetry of the forest, the emblem of affection, 
 the companion of love. In her distribution of them, 
 nature has not forgotten us. Let us not forget them. 
 
 The Ampleopsis quinquifolia Virginia Creeper, is a 
 woody vine of vigorous growth, climbing to the tops of our 
 highest trees. It will cover the side of a brick or stone 
 house, clinging to the walls by its tendrils, which do not 
 penetrate them but adhere to the surface by little discs, on 
 atmospheric principles, just as a tree frog holds to a tree. 
 They become so firmly fastened they will break before they 
 loosen their hold. It has five leaflets and may thus be dis- 
 tinguished from the poison Ivy, which has but three. The 
 northwest side of Mr. Lightner's house is covered with 
 this vine. It is well suited for covering large arbors. 
 
 The common wild grape vine, though worthless for 
 fruit, makes a good covering for arbors. It is better for 
 this purpose than the tame grape, because it is more hardy 
 and grows more rapidly. This and the Ampleopsis belong 
 to the same family. 
 
 The Tecoma radicans Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet 
 Flower, is a beautiful woody vine, very hardy, a rapid 
 grower,. with pinnate leaves, leaflets five to eleven, flowers 
 two to three inches long, orange and scarlet, very showy. 
 This vine may be trained into any shape that is desired. 
 It will grow almost anywhere. It merits more attention 
 than it has received. Hundreds of them may be obtained 
 in the river bottom on this side of the lake below the Nar- 
 rows. 
 
 The Celastrus scandens Wax Work, Climbing Bitter- 
 sweet, False Bittersweet is a hardy woody vine, common in
 
 (26) 
 
 our woods and should be cultivated more in the city. The 
 leaves are medium sized, ovate oblong, finely serrate 
 pointed. "The opening orange-colored pods displaying the 
 scarlet covering of the seeds are very ornamental in 
 autumn," and remain so till the middle of winter. The 
 only one I know of in the city is in my yard. 
 
 The Menispermum Canadense Moouseed, Yellow Ferrilla, 
 is a handsome little twiner with smooth bark and large 
 pretty leaves, loves rich soil and shady places. It is one 
 of the modest little things that no one can observe with- 
 out admiring. A specimen may be seen twining round a 
 little Box Elder tree in my front yard. It is common in 
 thickets in rich bottom land. The stem is smooth and 
 slender. It bears panicles of delicate little yellowish white 
 flowers in summer, and little round clusters of purple fruit 
 in autumn, but its chief beauty is its foliage. 
 
 The Clematis Virginiana common Virgin's Bower, is 
 not uncommon in thickets around Peoria. This vine is a 
 little wood}', but chiefly herbaceous ; therefore dying back 
 in winter, but each year throwing out a vigorous growth. 
 It is a profuse bloomer, flowers white, and the fruit pi uni- 
 ons with conspicuous feathery tails that are curious and 
 ornamental. 
 
 The Dioscorea villosa Wild Yam, is the most elegant of 
 our indigenous vines. It is the rare beauty of our woods. 
 No one can see it without admiring it. It is a delicate 
 herbaceous vine. It loves the thickets, is modest and retir- 
 ing. If it came from Japan it would be esteemed and 
 cultivated. It grows around us and we scarcely know it. 
 " Verily, a prophet is not without honor save in his own 
 country." It is the only representative we have of the 
 Dioscorea or Yam family. It is an endogen with net-veined 
 leaves, which is an exception to the rule. The flowers are 
 not conspicuous, greenish yellow, the sterile in drooping 
 panicles, the fertile in drooping simple racemes, the fruit 
 three angled or winged, pods nearly an inch long, stems 
 slender from large knotty and matted rootstocks.
 
 (2?) 
 
 Adluma cirrhosa Climbing Fumitory, is not indi- 
 genous to this vicinity, but is found in the eastern part of 
 the state, Indiana and Ohio. It is a handsome climbing 
 biennial vine with delicate foliage, thrice pinnate leaves, cut 
 lobed little leaflets, and ample panicles of drooping pale, 
 flesh-colored flowers. It climbs over high bushes, and in 
 cultivation makes elegant festoons and bowers in shady 
 places. It may be obtained at Mr. Frederick's greenhouse. 
 
 If our streets were lined with shade trees, and our 
 yards properly set with them, and with shrubbery and vines, 
 they would absorb much of the carbonic acid gas that gen- 
 erates in excess in all cities and places where great numbers 
 of men or animals congregate. They would perceptibly 
 modify the intensity of the heat and dryness of the atmos- 
 phere in summer, and add much to the healthfulness, 
 comfort and beauty of the city. 
 
 It is well known, that in summer much of our sick- 
 ness, especially among children, is caused chiefly by intense 
 heat. Reduce the temperature ten degrees, and you will 
 lessen the percentage of mortality from cholera infantum 
 and allied diseases of children twenty-five to fifty per cent. 
 Our broad, naked, sandy streets; our unnecessarily broad, 
 brick sidewalks, the walls and roofs of our houses, reflect 
 the heat from the burning rays of the sun until the whole 
 atmosphere at times becomes like a heated oven. No 
 wonder many persons become suddenly sick and die. No 
 wonder multitudes of little children, the light and hope of 
 the family succumb, and our cemeteries are dotted all over 
 with little graves. 
 
 Except in the business part of the city, one-half of all 
 our wide streets should be converted into grass plats and 
 set in trees. Every property owner should be required to 
 care for and protect these grass plats and trees the same as 
 and even more than his sidewalks.
 
 (28) 
 
 Most of our streets are eighty feet wide. Make a 
 drive-way in the center thirty-five or forty feet wide, which 
 for this purpose is now and always will he enough; make 
 the sidewalks eight feet wide, which will give ample room, 
 and leave the intervening space on either side for grass 
 plats and trees, and we will have streets that are convenient 
 and present a tasteful and elegant appearance. 
 
 When this is done, and the trees have had a few years 
 to grow, the increased heat our improvements have made, 
 will be materially modified and our death rate lessened in 
 proportion. 
 
 I am happy to say, that a move in this direction was 
 made last year on Madison and some other streets, and I 
 hope it will be extended throughout the city generally. 
 "When these improvements are completed, it will be com- 
 paratively little expense to gravel or pave our streets. 
 Then with our location and surroundings, which for variety 
 and beauty are unequalled, surely not surpassed, and with 
 the general cultivation of good taste, to which these would 
 lead, we would have one of the most cheerful and pleasant 
 cities in the world.
 
 TO OBSERVERS. 
 
 The reader having carefully perused the excellent remarks of 
 Dr. STEWART on the several varieties of shade trees best adapted for 
 the climate in and about the City of Peoria, will observe that, 
 however much care and labor is expended in procuring the kinds 
 recommended, the insect foes are ready to commence their ravages, 
 and unless careful attention is given them, will mar if not destroy 
 the fruits of the expended labor. 
 
 The following treatise is intended to point out and describe the 
 most destructive insects found in our city, and the simplest as well 
 as most effectual remedies known for their destruction. I would 
 call particular attention to the maple tree bark-louse Lecanium 
 Acericola, found at the present time in such numbers upon the 
 aforesaid tree. This insect appeared in Davenport, Iowa, during the 
 years 1870 and 1872, in such numbers as to excite much attention, 
 but the natural enemies came to the rescue and destroyed many of 
 them. Whether they will appear here or not remains to be seen. 
 
 EMMA A. SMITH.
 
 Skdkberty 
 
 
 HACKBERRY MAMMA -GALL. PsyUa celtides- mamma. RILEY. 
 (HEMIPTERA. PSYLLID^E.) 
 
 The Psylla cdtides-mamma is the only insect found upon 
 the leaves of Hackberry tree. Prof. C. V. Riley has 
 described the insect in Johnson's Encyclopaedia as follows : 
 
 "The Psylla form 
 galls of various 
 shapes and sizes on 
 the stems and leaves 
 of Hackberry (Cdtis). 
 In life - habits they 
 differ from all the 
 other gall-insects,and 
 agree with their near- 
 est relatives, the 
 plant - lice, only in 
 being the architect of 
 their own galls. The 
 egg glued in spring 
 to tender leaf or twig 
 soon hatches, and 
 under the irritation 
 caused by the young 
 Psylla, the^gall soon 
 imbeds it. Within 
 this gall the insect 
 dwells till it has ac- 
 quired the pupa state, 
 which is generally by 
 the time the leaves 
 
 of gall enlarged, showing insect within; c, pupa, begin tO tum and 
 greatly enlarged, showing spines at tip of body, by i m i i 
 
 which the gall is perforated for escape. drop. 1 D 6 n, by 
 
 means of certain horny spines or thorns at the end of its 
 
 HACKBF.RRY MAMMA-GALL, (made by Psylla celtides 
 mamma); a, leaf with galls, natural size; 6, sectio
 
 (32) 
 
 body, this pupa works its way out of its prison, and once 
 out soon gives forth the perfect fly. The galls made by 
 these flea-lice are usually quite hard and woody, and gen- 
 erally one-celled." 
 
 THE COXCOMB ELM GALL. Pemphigus ulmicola. FITCH. 
 (HEMIPTERA. APHID^E.) 
 
 The leaves of the young Elms were very much infested 
 with the galls of this insect, during the past season, in the 
 valley of Springdale Cemetery. 
 
 ITS NATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The egg deposited in the fall, hatches in early spring, 
 and the young larva stations itself upon the leaf, causing 
 
 that part to bulge 
 out into a comb- 
 like appearance, 
 finally closing en- 
 tirely, making a 
 kind of prison. This 
 is. the wingless 
 mother-louse. The 
 gall increases as the 
 inhabitants af the 
 gall increase in 
 number and size. One louse will give birth to hundreds 
 of very minute and wingless young larvae, and by the end 
 of June or beginning of July the gall becomes full of lice 
 fully grown and winged. The leaf is then forced open 
 under the gall and they make their escape into the open 
 air. Parasites are often found inhabiting the same gall 
 with them, and man}' are thus destroyed. These resemble 
 the authors of the gall so closely that it often requires con- 
 siderable knowledge of Entomology to distinguish one 
 from the other. 
 
 THE COXCOMB ELM OALL.
 
 (33) 
 
 The young Elms only are thus infested. When the 
 trees are about twenty-five feet high the insect ceases to 
 trouble them, and generally the younger the trees the 
 greater number of galls found upon them. 
 
 Eriosoma ulmi. RILEY, OR DOWNY LICE. 
 (HEMIPTERA. APHID^.) 
 
 The bark of the Elm is subject to the attacks of a woolly 
 plant louse, often proving their destruction. The young 
 lice cluster together and cause a knotty, unnatural growth 
 of the wood. They are found in between the crevices 
 formed by these knots, subsisting on the sap which exudes 
 from the holes made by the punctures of their beaks. A 
 downy or woolly matter is secreted from all parts of the 
 body, but mostly from the posterior end. The lice are 
 often imbedded in the substance and hidden from view. 
 
 The matured insect is found on the tree with the larva? 
 and pupae, about the first of July. Prof. Riley has found 
 washing the trunk of the tree with a weak solution of 
 cresylic acid soap will kill them instantly. They are preyed 
 upon by the larvae of a Lacewing fly. (Ckrysopa eriosoma.) 
 
 The Vanessa Antiopa. LINN^US. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. VANESSA.) 
 
 During the summer of 1875, the leaves of the Elm were 
 very much riddled by the caterpillars of this butterfly. 
 
 The natural history of the insect is as follows : The 
 eggs are deposited in clusters, during the latter part of May 
 or first of June, on the twigs of the Elm, Poplar and Willow. 
 The caterpillars live together, feeding on the under side of 
 the leaves. In about one month they become fully grown ; 
 are black, minutely dotted with white, with a row of eight 
 dark brick-red spots on the top of the back. The head is 
 black, and rough with projecting points ; the spines, of 
 which there are six or seven on each segment except the 
 first, are black, stiff and branched ; the intermediate legs 
 reddish. The insect measures an inch and three-quarters 
 in length.
 
 (34) 
 
 They are very voracious, and when occurring in great 
 numbers, will strip whole limbs, marring the beauty of the 
 tree, and often seriously injuring it. Having attained full 
 growth, they suspend themselves from some object, and 
 change into a chrysalis of a dark brown color, with large, 
 tawny spots around the tubercles on the back. After 
 remaining in this position from eleven to twelve days, the 
 butterfly appears, the whole time consumed, irom the egg 
 to the butterfly, being a little over one month. There are 
 two broods each year, the butterfly of the second brood 
 hybernating, and may be found, during the winter months, 
 under the eaves of houses, and in secluded places, appar- 
 ently lifeless, but reviving when brought into a warm room. 
 
 As soon as the first warm days of spring appear, this 
 butterfly may be seen flying, often presenting a dilapidated 
 appearance. It expands from three to three and a half 
 inches. The upper side of the wings is purplish brown, 
 with a broad buff-yellow margin, near the inner edge of 
 which there is a row of pale-blue spots ; the under side is a 
 mottled wood-color. In the sunlight this butterfly pre- 
 sents a beautiful appearance. Gathering the caterpillars, 
 and destroying them, is the only artificial remedy I know 
 of. This is comparatively easy, from their habit of cluster- 
 ing together on the leaves. 
 
 Tremex Columba, OF LINNAEUS. 
 (HYMENOPTERA. TREMEX.) 
 
 This insect can be seen on the trunks of the Elm, Pear 
 and Button wood, during the months of July and August. 
 The body of the female is cylindrical, about as thick as a 
 small lead pencil, and more than an inch long, exclusive of 
 the borer, which itself is about an inch in length, and pro- 
 jects three-eighths of an inch beyond the end of the body. 
 It is concealed, when not in use, between two narrow rust- 
 colored side pieces. The head and thorax are rust-colored 
 varied with black. Across the back are seven ochre-yellow 
 transverse bands. The antennae are rather short and rust-
 
 (35) 
 
 colored. The wings, four in number, are smoky-brown and 
 semi-transparent. The legs are ochre-yellow with blackish 
 thighs. 
 
 When about to lay her eggs she draws her borer out of 
 its sheath till it stands perpendicularly under the middle of 
 the body; then she plunges it through the bark into the 
 wood. When the hole is made deep enough she then drops 
 an egg therein, conducting it by means of the two furrowed 
 pieces of the sheath. The borer often pierces the wood to 
 the depth of half an inch or more, and not unfrequently 
 becomes a victim to her own zeal and labor, driving in her 
 borer so tightly that she is unable to extract it and perishes 
 from starvation. 
 
 The eggs are oblong and less than one-twentieth of an* 
 inch in length. The larva is a yellowish white, of a cylin- 
 drical shape, with a horny point on the upper part of the 
 hinder extremity. They feed exclusively on wood, making 
 long passages through it and destroying much valuable 
 timber. As they grow very slowly, and remain several 
 years in the larva state, they often become injurious to 
 whole forests of trees. 
 
 The Tremex is considered one of the most destructive 
 insects in the eastern states. In the year 1873, I received 
 from Oregon, Illinois, a piece of Hickory bark with the 
 female attached, who, being unable to extract her borer, 
 had perished. They had destroyed many of the trees in 
 that part of the state. 
 
 The larva is often destroyed by the maggots of two kinds 
 of Ichneumon flies, (Pimpla atraia and lunator^) Fabricius. 
 These flies thrust their slender borers, measuring from three 
 to four inches in length, into the trunks of trees inhabited 
 by the grubs of the Tremex, and their life is often lost by 
 being in like manner fastened to the trunks of the trees. 
 
 The male of the Tremex Columba is very unlike the female 
 in color, form and size, and is not furnished with the 
 remarkable borer of the other sex. He is rust-colored, 
 variegated with black. His antennae are rust-colored or
 
 (36) 
 
 blackish. His hind body is flattened rather widest behind, 
 and ends with a conical horn. His hind legs are of a 
 blackish color and shaded with black. He is longer than 
 the female, and his wings expand from one inch and a 
 quarter to two inches or more in length. 
 
 Datana Mimstra. DRURY. YELLOW-NECKED CATERPILLARS. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. 
 
 
 
 The larvae of this moth is found on both fruit and orna- 
 mental trees, among which are the Apple, Quince, Pear, 
 the American Linn, Walnut and Surnac. 
 
 The moth 
 varies in color 
 according to 
 the food pre- 
 viously fed 
 upon. When 
 the wings are 
 expanded 
 
 MINISTRA; a, larva; 6, moth ; c, eggs; d, egg enlarged. they measure 
 
 from one and a half to two and a half inches. The 
 under wings are much lighter in color than the upper, 
 being usually of a pale-yellowish, or whitish color ; the 
 posterior margin of a deeper color. The upper wings vary 
 from bright yellow to smoky brown, crossed by four or five 
 narrow bands. The body itself is of a yellowish color, 
 sometimes inclining to red. The larvae, when matured, 
 differ in appearance to some extent according to the food. 
 Those found upon the American Linn have four narrow, 
 pale-yellow stripes upon the sides of the body, while those 
 upon the Black Walnut are black without stripes. They 
 are about two inches in length. 
 
 The eggs are deposited on the under side of the leaves,
 
 (37) 
 
 in a dense patch, from seventy to one hundred in number ; 
 these are white and round. As soon as hatched, the larvae 
 commence eating the under side of the leaves; but, as they 
 increase in size, they eat the entire leaf, except the midrib. 
 They do not spin a common web, as the tent-caterpillars 
 do; yet are strictly gregarious, eating from one branch or 
 twig until the leaves are all consumed, and then migrating 
 to another 
 
 The most interesting feature of these larvae is during 
 the moulting season, when they all come down upon the 
 trunk of the tree and cling in one body to the bark, assisted 
 in this position by a silken thread passed among them. 
 They remain in this position, without food, usually two 
 days and two nights, when they cast off their old skins and 
 commence crawling up the trunk of the tree to their food, 
 leaving the old empty skins attached to the tree. 
 
 I have observed them on the Hickory, clinging to one 
 of the upper branches, when moulting, instead of coming 
 down ; but this is the case only when the tree is old enough 
 for the branches to become as large as that of a common- 
 sized tree. When suddenly alarmed, they assume a peculiar 
 position, by throwing the head and tail at right angles with 
 the rest of the body, as seen in figure at a, and this is also ob- 
 served when resting. When they become fully grown, their 
 social habits change, and for the first time they separate and 
 wander off alone, before entering the pupa state. They do 
 not appear until mid-summer, and remain until the frost 
 has destroyed the leaves in the fall. They remain in the 
 pupa state, under ground, during the winter, changing 
 to the moth late in summer. Owing to the fact that they 
 eat the entire leaves upon a branch before migrating to 
 another, the tree assumes an unsightly appearance when 
 cultivated for shade or ornament, but upon fruit trees it 
 decreases the vigor, and thereby lessens the value of the 
 fruit. 
 
 They can be easily destroyed during any of the moult-
 
 (38) 
 
 ing seasons, by detaching the caterpillars from the trunk 
 or limb, and burning or scalding them; or, by breaking off 
 the leaves upon which they are feeding, and killing them. 
 Two Ichneumon flies have been bred from them which 
 serves to keep them largely in check. The American 
 Cuckoo has been seen in the act of devouring them, always 
 seizing the insect by one extremity and crushing to destroy 
 vitality before swallowing. 
 
 Okk Wee. 
 
 Stenocorus putator. PECK. THE OAK PRUNER. 
 
 (COLEOPTEBA, CERAMBYCID.E.) 
 
 During the latter part of summer, and through the 
 autumn, branches from one to four feet in length ma} 7 be 
 seen under the Oak trees. The branch has the appearance 
 of being sawed from the tree, but upon close examination 
 the center will be found to be filled with saw-dust like 
 fillings. Upon splitting the cut end of the branch, the 
 larva will be found, thus showing the cause of the branch 
 having fallen. Harris states that the branches may. be 
 found cut from the tree in the fall, the larva remaining in 
 the wood during the winter, transforming to a pupa in the 
 spring, and in June or July changed to a beetle and comes 
 out of the branch. Packard states it undergoes its trans- 
 formation in mid-summer and lays its egg near the axilla 
 of a leaf, stalk, or small stem. 
 
 Those bred by myself, were found as early as the 25th 
 of July, and changed to the perfect insect the following 
 May 10th. 
 
 The egg is deposited on a small branch, four or five 
 inches from the main branch which it eventually severs 
 from the tree. The young larva hatches and obtains its 
 nourishment from the pith, boring a cylindrical hole as it
 
 (39) 
 
 proceeds. Obtaining its full growth, it cuts the wood 
 away, leaving only the outside bark; then, retreating, it 
 fills the entrance of the hole with fibres of the wood, when 
 the action of the wind severs the whole from the tree and 
 the branch falls to the ground, often while the leaves are 
 yet green. 
 
 Why the insect should cut the branch away, I am. 
 unable to state, since it undergoes its transformation in the 
 branch. The beetle is slender, long horned, of a dull, 
 brown color, sprinkled with gray spots, composed of very 
 short, close hairs, and ranging in length from four and a half 
 to six-tenths of an inch. By collecting the branches in the 
 autumn and destroying them, the development of the 
 beetle can be prevented. 
 
 The Sycamore suffers to some extent from the boring of 
 the Tremex Columba for description see Elm beyond this, 
 no other has, as yet, come under my observation. 
 
 The cleanliness of the Catalpa from insect depredation 
 in our city, has often caused particular attention. The 
 leaves remain perfect, and the indications on the trunk and 
 limbs are free from borers. 
 
 goft 
 
 Lecanium Acericola. RILEY. BARK-LOUSE. 
 (HEMIPTERA, COCCID^E.) 
 
 Especial attention should be called to the ravages of the 
 bark-louse, Lecanium acericola, which are destroying the 
 Soft Maple trees in our city. They were first observed in 
 the summer of 1874, on the trees in front of the ruins of 
 St. Paul's Church on Main Street. Since then they have
 
 (40) 
 
 increased in number with wonderful rapidity, and have 
 
 spread down Franklin to Second Street. 
 
 When first ob- 
 served, a small 
 amount of labor 
 would have exter- 
 minated them, but 
 owing to negli- 
 gence, the trees 
 which form the 
 f~ principal shade in 
 said locality, pre- 
 sent during the 
 summer a disgust- 
 ing and unclean 
 appearance. The 
 general habits of 
 the insect are as 
 follows : 
 
 In the early 
 
 substance surrounding the insect at b. Spring the female 
 
 is found on the bark apparently torpid. As warm weather 
 advances the body is more swelled, and carefully raising it 
 with a knife, numerous oblong eggs will be found, the 
 dead body forming a cover. Under this shield the 
 young are hatched, and make their escape from the 
 lower end, where it is either slightly elevated or notched. 
 They then wander with considerable activity over leaf 
 and branch, inserting their beaks into the bark or 
 leaves, drawing up the sap, which nourishes them. 
 The leaves of the peach tree often present a black 
 appearance, and is sticky to the touch, caused by the drip- 
 ping of the sap from the numerous punctures made by 
 insects belonging to the Coccidce. 
 
 While the Lecanium acericola continue their exhausting 
 suction of sap, they increase in size, and during this time 
 are in what is called the larva state. When this is com- 
 
 a, Lecanium acericola ; 6, Lecanium Madura, tho cottony
 
 (41) 
 
 pleted they will be found to be of different sizes, and thev 
 then prepare for a change that is about to take place, by 
 emitting from the under side of their body numerous little 
 white downy threads, which fastened to the bark, serve to 
 secure them. The larger ones are females, who manage 
 to throw oft' this covering in a few days, and become fast- 
 ened to the bark as a scale, where they become immovable 
 and apparently inanimate; while the smaller ones continue 
 under their outer skins which serve instead of cocoons, 
 from which they seem to shrink and detach themselves and 
 transform into the perfect insect, having two wings which 
 lie on the top of the body. 'After the larger lice have 
 become fixed, and have thrown oft' their outer coats, they 
 enter upon the pupa, or chrysalis state. But when they 
 have become mature, they do not leave the skins, or shells, 
 covering their bodies, which continue flexible for a time. 
 These larger insects are females, and are destined to remain 
 immovable, and never change their place after they have 
 once become stationary.' After the insects have paired, 
 the female increases in size for a time, and then remains 
 without alteration. Under this skin the eggs are deposited, 
 but not being large enough to cover all her eggs, a white, 
 dpwny substance issues from the under or hinder part of 
 her body, and imbeds them. This is the time the insects 
 spread from tree to tree. The cottony substance is light 
 and is easily borne from one tree to another by the wind, 
 and one female deposits as many as two hundred eggs. 
 
 The most effective time for destroying the insect is 
 while the young are crawling over leaf and branch ; they 
 are then tender, and almost any solution of soap will kill 
 them. The time depends upon the advance of the season, 
 but about the last of the month of May or first of June. 
 
 A wash made of two pounds of potash in seven quarts 
 of water, or a pickle, consisting of a quart of common salt 
 to two gallons of water, would prove a cheap and effectual 
 preventive. Perhaps the best application is a wash made
 
 (42) 
 
 of two parts of soft soap and eight of water, with which 
 is to be mixed lime enough to bring it to the consistence of 
 thick whitewash. The larger trees already infested might 
 be saved by using Babcock's extinguisher. They are 
 preyed upon to some extent by parasites. 
 
 A letter received March 19th, from J. Duncan Putnam, 
 Corresponding Secretary of the Davenport Academy of 
 Natural Sciences, states that the Lecanium acericola, still 
 continues to be very injurious to the Maple trees in that 
 city, though it spreads very slowly, and he thinks if proper 
 means were used, its injuries could be checked. The best 
 part of the shade trees of Davenport have been almost 
 entirely destroyed. He thinks the best preventive would 
 be to syringe the trees with water in which tobacco and 
 soap, or some other poison had been dissolved, applied at 
 the time the young lice are hatching. 
 
 MAPLE LEAF CUTTER. Ornix Acerifoliella. FITCH. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. TINEID.E.) 
 
 During the summer of 1875 my attention was often 
 called to the appearance of the Maples growing in the 
 forests. They seemed as though nipped with frost. When 
 first observed it was about the first of August, and con- 
 tinued increasing until the fall of the leaves late in autumn. 
 Upon careful examination the depredator was found to be 
 a small white worm situated under a covering or scale 
 made from several pieces of the leaf, and feeding on the 
 pulpy substance. The worms fall with the leaves to the 
 ground in the autumn, and change to pupse in their cases, 
 where they may be found in the spring. When warm 
 weather advances, a small moth appears, of a dark, bril- 
 liant, blue color, with a bright orange-yellow head. These 
 insects are not found on Maple trees used for shade along 
 the street, or where standing alone in a field, but only in 
 forests, and for the reason that the leaves in the streets are 
 either gathered and destroyed in the autumn, or blown 
 about by the wind, and trampled under foot, thereby
 
 (43) 
 
 destroying the worms, while those in the forests remain 
 undisturbed. This difficulty can be obviated by allowing 
 cattle or sheep to range the ground. 
 
 In the year 1850 the forests of New York suffered much 
 from this insect, but afterwards escaped, owing probably 
 to the presence of a parasite in the pupae, which proved 
 to be a small Ichneumon fly. 
 
 jEgeria acerni. (CLEMENS.) THE LEGGED-MAPLE BORER. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA ^EGERIID^E.) 
 
 The Maple trees used for shade are injured by this 
 borer to some extent in Peoria. The eggs are deposited 
 during the latter part of May, or even later, in the crevices 
 of the bark. As soon as the eggs hatch the worms burrow 
 under the bark, feeding on the 
 inner bark and sapwood, filling 
 the burrows with the excrement, 
 and causing the bark to crack 
 open and loosen. When occur- 
 ing in great numbers they girdle 
 the tree and kill it, while when 
 a few only attack a small tree it 
 is weakened, and liable to be 
 broken by the wind. The worm 
 when fully matured changes into 
 the chrysalis, loosely covered 
 with white silk and the brown 
 pellet excrement of the worm. 
 When ready to come forth as a 
 moth, it works its way through 
 
 ERIA ACERNI, a, a, larva dorsal, ana . " , 
 
 lateral views; b, b, b, cocoons ex- a hole in the bark, made by the 
 
 posed by detachment of bark; c, 
 
 th; d, chrysalis skin as it is often worm. 
 
 left remaining in the hole of the exit. 
 
 The borers are only found in the trees which have 
 already been injured by the Flat-headed Borer, Chrysobothris 
 femorata. Fabricius, or where the bark has been rubbed 
 and is cracked or roughened. A smooth bark is seldom
 
 (44) 
 
 chosen for the consignment of the eggs. Anything which 
 will keep the bark smooth will undoubtedly prove benefi- 
 cial. Mr. Gennadius recommends whitewashing the trunks, 
 and filling up all holes and fissures with mortar, so as to 
 render the bark as smooth as possible. 
 
 Wild Slkdk 
 
 Clisiocampa Americana. HARRIS. TENT CATERPILLAR. 
 (LEPLDOPTERA. BOMBYCIDJE.) 
 
 This insect which infests the apple orchards, is found 
 upon the Black Cherry, and seems to give the preference to 
 this tree when in the vicinity. As many as ten webs 
 have been found on one tree for this reason orchardists 
 are advised to grow the tree. The same genial warmth of 
 
 the sun which brings 
 forth the leaves of the 
 Black Cherry, also 
 hatches from the 
 eggs laid upon the 
 branches of the tree, 
 from two to three 
 hundred small cater- 
 pillars confined with- 
 in a white silken 
 enclosure. All the 
 caterpillars hatched 
 from one batch of 
 eggs, live harmoni- 
 ously together in one 
 common tent; spun 
 by themselves, en- 
 larged with their 
 growth until some- 
 times the nesting 
 places acquire a di- 
 
 CLISIOCAMPA AMERICANA 
 deposited 
 
 ind 6, caterpillars; c, eggs as 
 
 wig ; d, cocoon. 
 
 ameter of eight or ten inches. 
 
 The caterpillars feed in pleasant weather about twice a
 
 (45) 
 
 day, upon the leaves of the tree, going and returning in a 
 single procession. As they crawl over twig and leaf, they 
 spin from their mouths a silken thread, which in time 
 forms a pathway of silk, serving to render their footing 
 more secure and assist them in again finding their way 
 back to their common habitation. They are hardy little 
 creatures, and can fast many days without apparent suffering. 
 During stormy weather they do not leave their tents, and 
 sometimes as many as three or four days elapse without their 
 partaking of food. The first warm weather often hatches 
 the young and causes them to appear before the leaves are 
 unfolded, and they then subsist on the glutinous substance 
 on the outside of the egg; which substance has also served 
 to prevent the winter storms from destroying the eggs. 
 After five or six weeks have elapsed, they having 
 changed their skins four times, the caterpillars become 
 fully grown, and for the first time scatter independently 
 of each other, and seek to find a shelter in which 
 to spin their cocoons. These cocoons are of a long, 
 oval form, composed of silk, woven loosely, the 
 crevices being filled with a paste, which, on drying, 
 becomes yellow, and resembles sulphur. 
 
 After remaining in the chrysalis state from fourteen to 
 seventeen days, the insect bursts its chrysalis skin and 
 forces its way out of the softened end of the cocoon and 
 issues forth as a moth. Many die either from weakness or 
 injury, during the chrysalis state, by small maggots, which 
 subsist upon the inside of the chrysalis and come forth in 
 time as a small four-winged Ichneumon fly. They are 
 kept in partial subjection by these parasites. It is also 
 said that some of our birds peck at the nests of the cater- 
 pillars, and destroy many in that way, but do not subsist 
 entirely upon them. 
 
 The moth expands from one inch and a quarter to one 
 inch and a half. It is of a rusty, reddish-brown color, the 
 front wings being divided into nearly three equal parts, by 
 two white lines, between which the color is paler in the
 
 (46) 
 
 male, but nearer the ground color or even darker in the 
 female. These moths appear in great numbers during the 
 month of July. Being nocturnal in their habits, they fly 
 by night, and often enter our houses, attracted by the 
 light. They do not eat during the moth state, the only 
 aim of their short existence seeming to be the perpetuation 
 of their species; for as soon as they pair and lay their eggs, 
 their object being completed, they die. 
 
 There are few insects so easily managed as the three 
 last described. The eggs being deposited in clusters, they 
 can be secured in that form, but should any escape the eye 
 and hatch, they can be secured when in their tent, and 
 destroyed by burning or scalding. The larvae of Papilio 
 Turnus Linn, lives upon the leaves of the Black Cherry, 
 but not to any extent in Illinois. 
 
 The Birch and Buckeye trees appear unusually free 
 from insects. Upon the latter tree has been found the 
 larvse of one of the Lepidopterous insects, but not in 
 sufficient numbers to attract attention. 
 
 A bark-louse is found upon the Mountain Ash. I have 
 not had sufficient opportunity as yet for observing its 
 habits or ascertaining the scientific name. 
 
 The Cotton-wood tree does not suffer much from borers 
 in our vicinity. A tree which was felled one year ago on 
 the bluff, and more than twenty-five years old, was almost 
 free from insect depredation. There are, however, two 
 insects found on the leaves worthy of consideration. 
 
 Pemphigus vagabundus. WALSH. 
 (HEMIPTERA. APHID.E.) 
 
 Commonly known as the vagabond Pemphigus, "so 
 called from its habit of wandering to very great distances 
 in its native forests, raises large galls on the tops of the 
 Cotton-wood and Balsam Poplars; the old blackened galls 
 hang on to the twigs for several seasons, giving the tree 
 a singular appearance when the leaves are off in the winter
 
 (47) 
 
 time. A single female begins the gall, whose young soon 
 multiply, leaving the gall in September." 
 
 Acronycta populi. RILEY. THE COTTON-WOOD DAGGER. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. ACRONYCTAD^;.) 
 
 The caterpillars of this moth are found on the leaves of 
 the Cotton-wood. The caterpillar is easily recognized by 
 " its body being covered with long, soft, bright-yellow hairs 
 which grow immediately from the body, part on the back, 
 and curl round on each side." The head is black, and on 
 the top of five joints, is a straight black brush. When at 
 rest they have a habit of curling round upon a leaf.' There 
 are two broods each year, the first brood appearing during 
 the month of June, the second the last t>f August. 
 
 The chrysalis is surrounded by a pale, yellow, silk 
 cocoon, and is generally found in some sheltered place, 
 such as a chink in the bark of a tree, or under the cap of 
 some fence. Mr. Riley has bred three distinct parasites 
 from the larva of this moth, which undoubtedly serve to 
 keep them in subjection. Although not strictly gregarious 
 in habit, they are found in clusters when young, and can, 
 at that time be easily destroyed by gathering. 
 
 The Locust suffers from the borers to an alarming 
 extent throughout Illinois. It is discouraging to find the 
 main trunk of a whole row of trees riddled through and 
 through with these depredators, and yet it is frequently 
 seen, and unless the natural enemies come to the rescue, 
 a healthy Locust tree will be the effect of the imagination. 
 Only two or three trees remain to represent the long row 
 which once aiforded shade on the northern extremity of 
 Elizabeth street. The most numerous of which are the 
 Clytus Rbbinice and Xykutes Robinice.
 
 (48) 
 Clytus Robinm. FORSTER. LOCUST TREE BORER. 
 
 (COLEOPTERA, CERAMBYCID^.) 
 
 This beetle is often confounded with the hickory borer, 
 Clytus pictus Drury, being similar in general appearance 
 and color. 
 
 The eggs of the Clytus Robinice, are deposited 
 in clusters in the trunk of the tree, and in a 
 short time are hatched and the grubs com- 
 mence boring into the bark, subsisting on the 
 soft inner substance until winter approaches, 
 when it bores into the centre, or heart of the tree, remaining 
 torpid until spring. The following June, the beetle 
 emerges, requiring one year for the full development of 
 the insect. 
 
 When, as often happens, many borers are in one tree, 
 it becomes full of holes and very much weakened. Any 
 kind of wash that is offensive to the beetle and will serve 
 to keep the eggs from being deposited, applied to the 
 trunk of the tree will prove effective. 
 
 Dr. Harris proposes whitewashing the trunk of the tree, 
 and watching for the insect and destroying them. This is 
 easily accomplished, since they are frequently seen basking 
 in the sunshine on the bark. 
 
 Xyhutes Robinice. PECK. LOCUST TREE CARPENTER MOTH. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. BOMBYCID^E.) 
 
 The larvse of this moth bores into our Locust trees, 
 arid although it is not found in the same number as the 
 Clytus, it is much larger and longer lived in the tree, and 
 much damage is done by them. They are nearly three 
 inches long, when fully grown, and about as thick around 
 as the end of the little finger. In color, it is reddish 
 above, and white beneath, sparsely covered with short 
 hairs arising from minute-warts. " These caterpillars bore 
 the tree in various directions, but for the most part 
 obliquely upwards and downwards through the solid
 
 (49) 
 
 wood, enlarging the holes as they increase in size, and 
 continuing them through the bark to the outside of the 
 trunk. Before transforming, they line these passages with 
 a web of silk, and retiring to some distance from the 
 orifice, they spin around their bodies a closer web, or 
 cocoon, within which they assume the chrysalis form." 
 Harris. 
 
 The moth is large ; the wings narrow, both pairs being 
 equal in size, and somewhat resemble the nit-veined style 
 of the Neuroptera. 
 
 8lkdk 
 
 Tree. 
 
 Hyphantria Textor. HARRIS. THE FALL WEB- WORM. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA BOMBYCIDJE.) 
 
 Near the end of the branches of the Walnut tree, large 
 webs can often be seen in the fall of the year, and if care- 
 fully examined will be found to be filled with small worms, 
 or caterpillars. They are very injurious to the tree, often 
 
 occurring in large num- 
 bers. The eggs are laid 
 by the parent moth in / 
 clusters upon a leaf near 
 the extremity of a 
 branch, and are hatched 
 from the last of June till 
 7 the middle of August, 
 some broods being later 
 
 HYPHANTBIA TIXTOB; a, larva; b, chrysalis; c, moth, that! Others. The yOUng 
 
 caterpillars immediately begin to provide a shelter for 
 themselvefe by covering the upper portion of the leaf , 
 with a web, feeding on the pulpy portion of the leaf, 
 the skeleton of the leaf and the lower skin remaining. 
 As they increase in size, they enlarge their web until 
 carried over a large portion of the branch. When fully 
 grown, they measure something over one inch in length. 
 In early autumn they leave their web and for the first time 
 
 1
 
 (50) 
 
 separate, and hiding under stones and boards change into 
 the pupae, remaining inactive during the winter, and 
 appearing as a moth the following June or July. 
 
 As soon as the webs are seen they should be stripped 
 off, with the few leaves which they cover, and the cater- 
 pillars destroyed. 
 
 Clisiocampa. Sylvatica. HARRIS. TENT CATERPILLAR OF THE 
 
 FOREST. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA. BOMBYCIDJE.) 
 
 Upon the Walnut and Oak fastened to the trunk or 
 larger branches, large tents or webs are frequently seen, 
 resembling in habits the Clisiocampa Americana. The tent 
 contains as many as three or four hundred indi- 
 viduals, and often prove very injurious to the 
 trees infested, defoliating at times a greater por- 
 tion of the tree. When fully grown, the cater- 
 pillars leave the tree and seek some dry, sheltered 
 spot, where they change into the pupae inside 
 a cocoon, resembling in form .and color the 
 Americana. The moths appear from sixteen to 
 twenty days after, depositing the eggs on the 
 tree in clusters, during the autumn. Destroying 
 the caterpillars while in the tents, or gathering 
 the eggs during the winter, is the most effectual 
 way of preventing their ravages. 
 
 CtlSIOCAMPA SYL- 
 VATICA; larva. 
 
 Attacus [ Callosamia~\ Promethea. DRURY. THE PROMETHEA 
 
 SILK WORM. 
 (LEPIDOPTERA BOMBYCID^;.) 
 
 Upon the Sassafras tree, in the winter time, leaves 
 apparently dried and curled are seen hanging from the 
 limbs ; close observation shows this is used as an outside 
 covering for a cocoon. The caterpillar had gathered this 
 around itself, the stem of the leaf made secure to the
 
 (51) 
 
 branch by silken threads being wound around and fastened 
 so securely that the winds fail to detach it, and there it 
 hangs until warm weather unfolds the leaves and the moth 
 makes its escape through one end. They are nocturnal in 
 habit, and are seldom seen. 
 
 The male and female differ very much in appearance. 
 "The same design is manifest in both sexes, but the 
 general color of the male is a deep, rich, smoky or amber- 
 brown ; while that of the female is of a lighter rust or 
 reddish brown. Both have a pale wavy line across the 
 middle, and a clay-colored border along the hind edges of 
 the wings. Both also have an' eye-like black spot, with a 
 pale-blufsh crescent inside, near the tip of front wings, but 
 the female has a pale angular spot, shaded outside with 
 black, near the middle of each wing, which is only 
 occasionally faintly indicated on the unjderside in the male. 
 The Antennae of the male are about twice as broad as those 
 of the female." 
 
 The eggs are laid on the limbs of the tree, about the first 
 of July, in clusters of five or six. The larvse subsist upon 
 the leaves of the Sassafras, changing to the chrysalis in the 
 autumn. They can be gathered from the tree any time 
 during the winter or early spring. 
 
 The Promethea cocoon often contain other small silken 
 cocoons from which issue small parasites, they having 
 subsisted on the substance found on the inside of the 
 chrysalis. 
 
 The Sassafras is not the only food which they live upon. 
 The cocoons are found suspended from the branches of the 
 Wild Cherry, Ash, Poplar, and a few others, but not as 
 frequently as from the Sassafras limbs. 
 
 The pine and fir tree are seldom disturbed to any 
 extent by leaf-eating caterpillars the resinous odor of the 
 tree proving offensive to many of them does not prevent
 
 (52) 
 
 many kinds of borers from burrowing into and destroying 
 their trunks. The larvae of several Capricorn beetles, live 
 entirely in the pine and fir trees, or in timber of these 
 kinds of wood. They undermine the bark in various 
 directions, and even enter the more solid portions of the 
 trunk, having little regularity in its course. Their bur- 
 rows are wide, and as they advance they fill up the hole 
 with a saw-dust like filling. In the eastern states they do 
 immense damage. 
 
 Harris says the Callidium bajulus Linnaeus, one of the 
 most common kinds of Callidium found in Massachusetts, 
 is a flatish, rusty-black beetle, with some downy whitish 
 spots across the middle of the wing-covers. It Measures 
 from four-tenths to three-quarters of an inch in length. 
 
 The Callidium violaceum, Harris, are found just under 
 the bark. When they are about to transform, they bore into 
 the solid wood to the depth of several inches. 
 
 Hylurgus terebrans. OLIVIER. 
 
 (COLEOPTERA. ScOLYTIDvE.) 
 
 The outside appearance of the bark of a pine tree shows 
 no indication of workers on the inside to the casual 
 observer. If, however, during the month of May, we 
 watch closely, small beetles will be seen emerging from 
 the trunk^ through small round holes. Upon raising a 
 part of the bark which is loosened we shall find the 
 under side pierced by these insects. The grubs, or larvae, 
 hatched from the eggs deposited in spring, come to 
 maturity in the autumn, and boring into the bark remain 
 until spring, when they emerge as the perfect insect. They 
 are very small, but when occurring in great numbers, they 
 interrupt the descent of the sap, and prevent the formation 
 of new wood. The tree, after a time, languishes and dies. 
 With this insect has been found another more slender, of 
 a dark-brown color, and clothed with a few short, yellow 
 hairs. " The larvae eat zigzag and wavy passages parallel
 
 (53) 
 
 to each other, between the bark and the wood." The 
 name given it is the Tomicus exesus. SAY. 
 
 Gurculio Pales. HERBST. 
 
 (COLEOPTERA CURCULIONID^.) 
 
 The larvae of this beetle is found under the bark of the 
 pine, sometimes doing much damage. Even the maturfe 
 insects prove destructive by puncturing the buds and tender 
 bark of the small branches, feeding upon the juice; the 
 young shoots break off or die at the wounded part, so 
 great is the injury. It is only when the larvae is found in 
 great numbers under the bark that the tree receives a 
 permanent injury. Woodpeckers prove of great assistance 
 in destroying them. Wilson, the ornithologist, describes 
 this insect when speaking of the ivory-billed woodpecker, 
 and urges the protection of the bird. 
 
 The Buprestes Virginia, Drury, is the largest beetle we 
 have treated of infesting the pine trees. It measures from 
 eight-tenths of an inch to one inch or more in length. 
 The larva bores into the trunk of the trees, oftentimes 
 proving very injurious. 
 
 According to Packard, the larvae of the Pine saw-fly, 
 Lophyrus abietis, Harris, are found upon the fir and pitch 
 pine. They are social in habit, and may be found in 
 considerable numbers on a single needle of the pitch-pine. 
 The larvae spin tough cocoons among the leaves, and the 
 flies appear in the spring. The larvae can be easily des- 
 troyed by showering them with a solution of carbolic acid 
 or whale oil soap. The eggs are laid singly in the side of 
 a needle of the pine; though sometimes an egg is inserted 
 on each side of the leaf. 
 
 Mr. Riley has described the habits of the white pine 
 saw-fly, Lophyrus abbotii Leach. The flies appear in 
 June, and there is but a single brood of larvae, which 
 remain on the tree, in Illinois, until November, and 
 hibernate before changing to pupae.
 
 (54) 
 
 By reviewing the preceding pages, we shall find that 
 a preventive used for one kind of insect, will serve to keep 
 others in subjection. 
 
 A little time and attention given to the insects infesting 
 the shade trees will increase the vigor and healthfulness, 
 and more than repay the owner by the beauty and 
 symmetiy of the tree. It is not a pleasant sight to find 
 scattered under the oak trees, branches cut oft' by the Oak- 
 pruner, or whole limbs of trees defoliated by caterpillars. 
 The bark-lice found on the Maple trees in the center of our 
 city, prove the eft'ect of neglect, and if this insect is allowed 
 to increase undisturbed, the trees will be seriously injured 
 unless nature comes to the rescue in the form of para- 
 sites. The most efficient workers we have, are the birds. 
 There is a law existing against discharging fire-arms within 
 the city limits, and if this law was enforced, the eft'ect 
 upon the insects would soon be apparent. 
 
 Mr. John Griswold, on Moss street, has, without doubt, 
 the best collection of trees in the city. The scarcity of 
 insects on his grounds has often caused surprise. The 
 reason is, however, he makes every ettort to protect the 
 birds, by prohibiting guns from being fired anywhere 
 about the premises. Many kinds build their nests in the 
 trees, feeding their young the caterpillars from the tree. 
 While riding over the arsenal at Rock Island, last fall, 
 the webs made by the three kinds of insects previously 
 described, were rarely found, although many were seen 
 from the cars before reaching Rock Island. Upon inquiry, 
 I found that the birds were protected, and for several years 
 have not been disturbed or frightened away. 
 
 Woodpeckers, with their long bills, penetrate the 
 trunks of trees and search out the retreats of the many 
 borers. The number of worms necessary daily for the 
 maintainance of a young brood of birds and their parents, 
 is greater than the casual observer would imagine, and if 
 the birds were protected they would add much to the 
 beauty of our city by their presence and labor.
 
 (55) 
 
 A gentleman of this city said, that the thieving habits 
 of the birds had lessened his admiration of them. I 
 suspect that much of our want of appreciation of the birds 
 making their homes among our garden fruit trees and 
 shrubbery, comes from our inveterate selfishness. They 
 guard our choicest fruits from spring till autumn, destroy- 
 ing millions of insects that otherwise would puncture and 
 deposit eggs in the grape, cherry, and other kinds. It 
 looks to me very much like ingratitude to begrudge them a 
 grape or cherry in their season, and especially so, since 
 they prefer those that have worms in them, and even 
 if they take those which are sound, who could blame them 
 for desiring a small share of the delicious nectar. 
 
 There are but few birds, if any, that feed upon the 
 curculio, the pest of the plum, and hence, the scarcity of 
 the fruit in our markets. 
 
 If the birds should entirely leave us it is a question if 
 any fruits could ripen in all the land. It is impious to 
 talk against the birds, and sacrilege to wantonly destroy 
 their innocent lives. 
 
 Children, instead of robbing their nests and throwing 
 stones at them, should be taught to regard them as special 
 messengers from heaven to protect our garden fruits and 
 enliven our homes with their vocal music. It is certainly 
 kind in Mr. G. to prohibit guns from being fired in his 
 beautiful park, and especially so in supplying pools of 
 clear fresh water for their drink and morning ablutions, 
 which they enjoy without fear of annoyance. His groves 
 are full of their warblings, and much tamer than in other 
 localities. He is abundantly rewarded for his kindness. 
 There is no other grove of trees and shrubbery in this 
 vicinity that is kept so fresh and delightful, and Mr. G. 
 fully appreciates the services of the birds.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNL
 
 I Manufactured by 
 GAYLORD BROS. In 
 Syracuse, N. Y. 
 
 SB 
 
 435