334 BOARD OF AGRicuLTUjiE. [Jan., 



Trees which are exempt from the borer in spring, may be kept 

 so usually by an application of a mixture of unleached ashes and 

 lime, from two quarts to twelve quarts, (according to size) around 

 the collar of the tree in May ; or like exemption may be secured 

 by a wash of whale-oil soap, or by a soapy whitewash, say one 

 quart of soft soap to three or four pounds of lump lime slacked, 

 to a suitable consistency, to apply with broom or brush to the 

 trees. 



It may here be remarked that these applications are worth all 

 their cost in promoting and maintaining the health of the trees, 

 as well as in preventing the injury by borers. 



The canker-worm, tent caterpillar, and all other insects that prey 

 upon the foliage, may be easily and speedily subdued by a weak 

 solution of London-pwyh or Paris-green applied when the insects 

 first make their appearance. London-purple has the advantage of 

 mixing more readily in water than Paris-green. The same remedy 

 is said to be quite effective with the curculio, rose-bug, and apple- 

 worm. 



Now the question is pertinent, is it safe to make general use of 

 these poisons ? Undoubtedly they should be used with great care 

 and discrimination; on the early summer fruits I would not use 

 them, specially not near the ripening period. I would not. use 

 them on an orchard in grass, for pasturage, or soon to be cut for 

 soiling, or for hay, nor where lettuce, cabbage, or other truck 

 crops would receive the drippings from trees, but for grape 

 vines, or trees whose crop is in jeopardy from insect ravages, and 

 whence the drippings can effect no harm, I would not hesitate to 

 promptly use these poisons, never in greater strength than neces- 

 sary, and with full confidence that intervening rains would remove 

 all danger.* 



How shall we avert the attacks of fungi upon our trees, and 

 plants ? 



So far as we know, there are no agents more efficient in combat- 

 ting fungi than carbolic acid, sulphur, potash, and lime. 



For trees under the incipient attacks of blight; after removing, 

 so far as visible, the infected branches, wash thoroughly the trunk 

 and branches with the following: sulphur, one part, quick lime, 



* I cannot agree in recommending the use of these poisons. The danger 

 overbalances the advantages, and I shall stop eating fruit when these practices 

 hecomc common. T. S. G. 



