Outdoor Visits  by Edith M. Patch

Some Insects in Winter

"Yes," said Don, "and then we can see the branches. I wonder how they look with no leaves or flowers."

Don and Nan saw the slender brown branches of the wild cherry tree.

There was a mass of tiny eggs on a branch. The mass reached around the branch like a broad ring.

The eggs were covered with some shiny brown stuff. This kept the eggs dry. Rain or snow could not wet them.

Don said, "Here comes Mr. Gray. Perhaps he will know what it is."

Mr. Gray cut the egg mass off the cherry branch. He showed all the little eggs to Don and Nan.

He said, "There is a young caterpillar in each egg. If I let them stay on the tree they will hatch in the spring.

"So many caterpillars could eat all the leaves on this tree."

Don said, "May we help you take care of the trees? Shall we visit all the trees and find egg masses?"

Mr. Gray said, "You may visit apple and cherry and plum trees and look for egg masses like these."

So Don and Nan helped Mr. Gray take care of some of the park trees.