686 State Board ok Agriculture, &c. 



The best remedy is to prevent the successful laying of 

 eggs, which may be done by smoothing and then soaping 

 the bark. If such is done near the ground only, they will 

 lay their eggs at the junction of the largest limbs, or higher 

 up on the trunk, so the scraping and soaping wants to be 

 thorough. If the borers are really in the trees, there is no 

 way except to kill them, or cut them out one at a time. A 

 small piece of whalebone is the best to kill them with, by 

 pushing it into their hole. A piece of wire will answer. 

 When the bark is killed over them it is just as well to cut 

 them out. The application of the soap is necessary in May. 

 Either soft or hard soap will do, but if hard soap is used a thin 

 piece had better be crowded down into each principal crotch 

 of the tree, so that the rain may wash it down the trunk. 

 Do this, of course, after having washed the tree with strong 

 suds. 



Though many other insects have been enquired after, the 

 foregoing are the principal ones. As in times past, I shall 

 be willing to give, by letter, to the enquirer, such informa- 

 tion in relation to insects as I may be able to impart, yet 

 would advise that all study the habits of pests; and when 

 they are enabled to fight one with success, let it be known 

 through tlie press, that all may profit thereby. 

 , Most respectfully yours, 



HIRAM A. CUTTING, M. D., 

 State Geologist and Curator State Cabinet. 



Lunenburgh, Vt., August 31, 1876. 



