This section is from the book "The Gardener's Monthly And Horticulturist V27", by Thomas Meehan. See also: Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long.
Under Norway Spruce trees towards spring, are frequently found broken branches in considerable quantities. The Editor has always regarded this as resulting from the operations of a twig borer or girdler. Desiring to know more of the supposed insect, specimens were recently sent to Professor Riley, who doubts whether the trouble comes from an insect at all. This makes the matter mysterious. And it is well worthy of the attention of acute observers. No adequate cause for these broken branches has been suggested. Mice or squirrels cannot do it, as the twigs are not cut by teeth, but broken, as examination by a lens clearly shows.
 
Continue to: