2g8 tJSE 0? TOBACCO WATER. 



IX. 



On the Use of Tobacco Water, m preserving Fruit Crops, by 

 destroying Insects; and on the Use of the Striped or Rib- 

 band Grass* By Mr. Robert Hallett *. 



SifLf Axminster, April 13, 1802, 



EING much engaged in mercantile concerns, and hav- 

 ing but little time for other pursuits, I have not an oppor- 

 tunity, though extremely fond of my garden, of bestowing 

 the attention to it I could wish ; but having made a few ex- 

 periments with a view of improving the state and bearing of 

 my fruit trees, in which I hare succeeded beyond my high- 

 est expectations, I hope, as my intention is to benefit the 

 public, I shall be pardoned for troubling you with the pre- 

 sent communication of them. 

 Popular notion The old gardeners with us have long entertained an idea, 

 of wail-fruit tnat our climate has suffered a change particularly inimical 

 trees. to the successful cultivation of Wall Fruit Trees. To this 



circumstance they attribute the blight, which annually dis- 

 appoints their hopes, and consider the evil beyond the reach 

 of their skill to remedy. 

 Common di«- The disease to which I have paid regard, is that which 

 ease of these a # ec t s t j, e trees m the early part of the season, curls up their 

 leaves, often destroys the young shoot, and not un frequently 

 reduces the tree to a state of weakness, from which it is sel- 

 dom to be recovered. I have, however, for some years past, 

 successfully combated this baneful complaint, 'with a pre- 

 paration easily to be obtained, attended with little expense, 

 and yet certain in its effect. 

 Tobacco de* The efficacy of tobacco in destroying insects has no doubt 



1 been long known, and which I was well aware of. But as 

 the expense attending its use, either for fumigating my 

 trees, or washing them with an infusion, was considerable, 

 and was perhaps the obstacle to its being generally resorted 

 to, I endeavoured to find out the best method of obtaining 



» Papers of the B-th and West of England Society, Vol. X, -p. 199. 



"it 



sect*. 



