The moth cannot fly, but crawls up the tree in the late autumn and
during mild spells in winter, but especially throughout the spring
until May. When, the evil-disposed moth meets the 'tarry band he
finds no thoroughfare, and is either caught or compelled to seek
some other arena of mischief.
We have all seen the flaunting, unsightly abodes of the tent
caterpillar and the foliage-denuded branches about them.
Fortunately these are not stealthy enemies, and the owner can
scarcely see his acre at all without being aware of their
presence. He has only to look very early in the morning or late in
the evening to find them all bunched up in their nests. These
should be taken down and destroyed.
Cherry and pear slugs, "small, slimy, dark brown worms," can be
destroyed by dusting the trees with dry wood ashes or air-slacked
lime.
Field-mice often girdle young trees, especially during the winter,
working beneath the snow. Unless heaps of rubbish are left here
and there as shelter for these little pests, one or two good cats
will keep the acre free of them. Treading the snow compactly
around the tree is also practiced.
Do not let the reader be discouraged by this list of the most
common enemies, or by hearing of others. After reading some
medical works we are led to wonder that the human race does not
speedily die out.
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