September?  Bach specimen will be found perforated by a worm-hole.  The egg has been laid in the calyx of the young apple, where it soon hatches into a small white grub, which burrows into the core, throwing out behind it a brownish powder.  After about three weeks of apple diet it eats its way out, shelters itself under the scaly bark of the tree—­if allowed to be scaly—­or in some other hiding-place, spins a cocoon, and in about three weeks comes out a moth, and is ready to help destroy other apples.  This insect probably constitutes one of Nature’s methods of preventing trees from overbearing; but like some people we know, it so exaggerates its mission as to become an insufferable nuisance.  The remedies recommended are that trees should be scraped free of all scales in the spring, and washed with a solution of soft soap.  About the 1st of July, wrap bandages of old cloth, carpet, or rags of any kind around the trunk and larger limbs.  The worms will appreciate such excellent cover, and will swarm into these hiding-places to undergo transformation into moths.  Therefore the wraps of rags should often be taken down, thrown into scalding water, dried, and replaced.  The fruit as it falls should be picked up at once and carried to the pigs, and, when practicable, worm-infested specimens should be taken from the trees before the worm escapes.

The canker-worm in those localities where it is destructive can be guarded against by bands of tar-covered canvas around the trees.  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.  As a rule, however, with moderate care, most of us are able to say, “I’m pretty well, I thank you,” and when ailing we do not straightway despair.  In spite of all enemies and drawbacks, fruit is becoming more plentiful every year.  If one man can raise it, so can another.