FRUITS. 59 



said that the loss of the apples was not considered a calamity, 

 as the destruction of the worms more than balanced the loss 

 of the apples. They ajDpeared again in the early part of the 

 present century. Many remedies were applied for their 

 destruction ; but nothing proved effectual, except tarring the 

 trees. We well remember assisting in tarring our father's 

 trees. The custom then was to mix blubber with the tar, 

 heat it, and apply it warm every day, late in the afternoon, 

 which proved effectual. We think if ink were applied every 

 day, as we then applied tar, it would be more effectual, as 

 we have seen the insects passing over the ink the second 

 evening without trouble. 



We think the destruction of birds has had much to do 

 with the increase of insects, as many kinds of birds live 

 mostly on them. 



How to prevent the depredation of the apple-worm is a 

 difficult subject to determine. Sometimes they are very 

 injurious to the fruit; other seasons we get a good crop, 

 nearly perfect. The cause of the change is hard for us to 

 understand. 



Atmospheric influences sometimes operate on the crop. 

 The year 1874, it will be recollected, was an apple-year, par- 

 ticularly for the Baldwin. The crop was generally large, and 

 the price of apples low. In our locality there was a large 

 blossom, which looked healthy and strong. When in full 

 bloom, a blight came over the trees, which gave the blossom 

 and foliage an unhealthy appearance. Many of the leaves 

 curled up and dropped off; and manj'^ of the trees did not 

 recover from the shock during the season. There was a small 

 crop of apples of very inferior quality. Some orchards not far 

 distant had a full crop of good fruit. In 1876 some of the 

 orchards that failed two years before produced a full crop of 

 nearly perfect fruit, with few wormy apples. 



The present year there is almost a total failure. We are 

 aware that a great crop of Baldwins could not be reasonably 

 expected. There were, however, some orchards that blos- 

 somed tolerably well. What was the cause of the failure? 

 It was not the canker-worm nor caterpillar ; for in many of 

 our orchards there were none. 



It was said by one of old, " Except the Lord build the 

 house, they labor in vain that build it ; except the Lord keep 



