DESTRUCTION OF CANKER-WORMS. 121 



havinof a rectauofular channel, while Mr. Leach cuts out a 

 triangular channel, thereby wasting less stock, presenting a 

 wider surface of tar and yet requiring less to fill the trough. 

 Mr. Leach has manifestly made an improvement in the con- 

 struction of the trouffh, but as troughs somewhat similar to 

 those are said to have been used in the town of Danvers many 

 years ago, your committee think neither of the above-named 

 gentlemen entitled to the premium for a ^^new, cheap and 

 ej9fectual remedy for the ravages of the canker-worm." 



They recommend, however, that in consideration of the 

 value the introduction of these troughs is likely to be to the 

 public, a gratuity of fifteen dollars be awarded to Mr. Leach 

 for his improvement in their construction. 



Perhaps it should here be stated that one member of the 

 committee dissents, for reasons which he has embodied in the 

 accompanying minority report. We understand that he ob- 

 jects to giving any premium whatever, because he believes 

 that the destruction of the canker-worm will be accomplished 

 soonest by letting it alone. But assuming the policy of ofier- 

 ing these premiums to be sound, he would agree with the 

 majority in respect to the proposed awards. We have here 

 neither time nor space to discuss his view of the subject, but 

 for the benefit of those orchardists who do not accept his 

 theory and are determined to fight the canker-worm, we wish 

 to present the facts brought to the notice of the committee, 

 and the conclusions drawn by the majority in reference to 

 the diflferent methods of opposing the canker-worm now 

 in use. 



The troughs used by ]Mr. Sawyer are made of two-by-three 

 joists sawn from two-inch plank. A channel an inch or more 

 deep and an inch and a half wide is grooved out and the stock 

 is then sawn off in a mitre-box at suitable lengths for difterent 

 sized trees, and the pieces nailed together, one side slightly, 

 so that it can easily be removed when placed around the tree. 

 A square box or trough is thus made which is laid level on 

 the ground around the tree. The space between trough and 

 tree-trunk is filled with dirt, the trous^h itself filled with coal- 

 tar from the gas-works, and the work is done. On ploughed 

 land it is easy to level up the earth around the tree, but on 

 grass-ground it may be necessary to carry sand or du't on 

 16 



