1884.] FRUIT. 77 



all parts of the tree. I have dug out grubs in the branches 

 of a tree that were some distance from the ground. They do 

 not do the damage there that they do when they are in the 

 trunk near the ground. When they are in the trunk they 

 injure the whole tree. 



Mr. Hale. We wash the whole of our trees ; put the 

 swab in the crotches of the tree as well as over the branches 

 and trunk. 



Prof. Clark. Either way would do, just as you think 

 advisable. 



Question. What time in the year do you dig them out ? 



Prof. Clark. We dig them out in August and September. 

 The insect begins to lay about June. You can begin the last of 

 July or first of August. You will find them anywhere from a 

 sixteenth of an inch long up to an inch and a quarter or 

 more. I know I dug out of one tree over thirty very small 

 ones ; they were not as large round as a pin, and not more 

 than an eighth of an inch long. They had simply got through 

 the outside skin of the bark. 



Mr. HoYT. Have you ever heard of the use of brimstone 

 to renew the vigor of peach-trees ? I met a gentleman a short 

 time ago who used to bore a half or three-quarter inch augur 

 hole into the heart of his peach-trees and fill the hole with 

 brimstone. 



Prof. Clark. I think that would be about the same as 

 hanging old iron or anything else up in the limbs. I think 

 you want to go below and fight the insect at the roots. 



Question. Do these borers generally work at the surface 

 of the earth, around the bottom of the tree ? 



Prof. Clark. The borers generally work near the surface ; 

 the egg is laid in the body of the tree, generally within a foot 

 of the ground or lower. Then the borers usually work down. 

 I have dug down three inches below the surface and found 

 the borers there. 



Question. Would you cut back peach-trees now ? 



Prof. Clark. Yes, sir ; if you cut back your trees now 



