DOMESTIC NOTICES 



61 



We have studied its habits with some care thi 

 season, and offer the following suggestions as worthy 

 the attention of those whose trees are attacked by 

 iU 



1st. Examine all trees liable to be attacked by 

 this borer eariy in the spring, certainly before the 

 first of May, in order, if possible, to destroy the 

 larva before it comes out of the trunks in beetle 

 form. This should be done, as far as possible, by 

 plugging up the holes with pieces of soft pine soak- 

 ed in very strong tobacco water.* 



2d. Before the time for the beetle to emerge from 

 the tree, i. e. from the middle of May to the first 

 of June in this region, wash the whole trunk of the 

 tree from the surface of the ground beyond the fork 

 of the principal branches, with a mixture of soft 

 soap and tobacco water, made of the consistency 

 of thick paint. 



We have found, when this is brushed over the 

 stems of the trees, it is for a long time so offensive 

 to the insect that it will not deposit its eggs in the 

 bark beneath it. 



These two precautions, thoroughly put in prac- 

 tice, will, we trust, be found sufficient to put a stop 

 to the ravages of the Apple Borer. 



Death of S. G. Perkins. — Since the publication 

 of our last number, we learn with regret the death 

 of one of our most highly valued correspondents, 

 Samuel G. Perkins, Esq. He died at his country 

 seat at Brookline near Boston, the scene of his 

 zealous horticultural labors and enjoyments for 

 many years, at a ripe old age. We never remem- 

 ber to have met with an amateur, and rarely with 

 a professional cultivator, whose knowledge of fruit 

 trees, and whose successful treatment of them ex- 

 ceeded that of Mr. Perkins. The few last years 

 of his life were overshadowed by a partial loss of 

 his sight ; but even this could not wean him from 

 the pleasures of his garden ; and we remember 

 with what interest he showed us, during our last 

 visit at Brookline, peculiarities of growth in certain 

 trees in his fine gardens, which would have escaped 

 the notice of common observers, but to which he 

 was profoundly conscious, through almost as much 

 of the sense of feeling as that of sight. 



The most excellent practical papers which have 

 appeared in our columns, were chiefly dictated to 

 an amanuensis. Our readers, no less than ourselves, 

 will regret the loss to the gardening world of one 

 so thoroughly versed in the practical knowledge of 

 our favorite art. 



PoTATOE Blight an Atmospheric Disease. — 

 After all the investigations made for ascertaining 

 the cause of disease in potatoes, we have yet no- 

 thing conclusive. In 1844, in many parts of Ver- 

 mont, the crop of potatoes was almost a total fail- 

 ure. In this immediate vicinit)', the disease was 

 hardly known. In 1845, in places which suffered 

 in 1844, the disease had partially passed off", while 

 in this vicinity there was almost a total loss. In 

 1846, not a single instance of the disease in this 

 vicinity has come to my knowledge. In the winter 

 of 1845-6, I had carried from my cellar as many as 

 one hundred and fifty bushels of diseased potatoes, 



• Made by staeping common tobacco, or the stalks of the 

 same, in water. 



and sptead on about ten square rods in my garden, 

 among young fruit trees — soil a secondary forma- 

 tion oi coarse gravel, about two hundred and fifty 

 feet above, and one- mile from Lake Champlain, 

 where the previous season potatoes had been plant- 

 ed and all rotted. In the spring of 1846, as many 

 as fifty bushels more were spaded in the same 

 trround. About ten bushels of sound and partially 

 decayed potatoes were sorted from the last, when 

 the whole mass of rotten potatoes was covered 

 in the soil. Potatoes not totally decayed, grew 

 so as nearly to cover the ground. They were 

 cultivated, grew well, produced a good crop, 

 were dug at the usual time, and put on the bottom 

 of my cellar. More than one hundred bushels were 

 put over them. They were taken out last month, 

 and no symptom of disease could be detected among 

 them. No maimre or any other matter was ap- 

 plied either to the soil or potatoes, before or after 

 gatiierin<r. Chauiicey Goodrich. Burlington, Vt. 

 June, 1847. 



[\Ve would call the attention of some of the Eng- 

 lish speculators on the potato disease, to the fore- 

 going curious facts. — Ed.] 



Worcester County (Mass.) Horticultural 

 Society. — This society held its annual meeting a 

 few days since, at which the following gentlemen 

 were unanimously elected its officers for the ensu- 

 ing year : 



Isaac Davis, President ; Isaac Southgate, Wil- 

 liam Workman, Asa H. Waters, Vice-President; 

 George Jaques, Rec. Sec. ; John Milton Earle, 

 Cor. Sec; Frederic W. Paine, Treasurer ; Antho- 

 ny Chase, Librarian ; F.W. Paine, George Jaques, 

 Edmund F. Dixie, Committee of ^Arrangements. 



The Society propose to have four exhibitions thia 

 year, one in July, one in August, one in September, 

 and one in October. 



Their new and beautiful Hall, in the Waldo 

 Block, will afford spacious accommodation for the 

 rich displaj-s of fruits and flowers, which the in- 

 creasing interest and improving taste of the horti- 

 culturists of the count)" can so easily furnish for 

 the entertainment of their friends. Worcester 

 Telegraph. 



St. Louis Hort. Society. — To A. J. Downing, 

 Esq. : I presume you have alread}- observed that 

 we have formed a horticultural society in St. Louis, 

 and that you are among the honorary members 

 thereof elected. I take pleasure in stating that 

 the Society has begun its existence under very fa- 

 vorable auspices, and that prosperity and useful- 

 ness seem to be promised to it in a high degree. 



Amid many doubts and misgivings, a first exhi- 

 bition of flowers and vegetables was made on the 

 first of May. The show far exceeded the most 

 sanguine expectations of its projectors and of the 

 community, and was visited by a very respectable 

 number of our citizens. One of our largest public 

 halls was well lined on all sides by a handsome 

 and various collection of green-house plants, and 

 the tables exhibited some beautiful bouquets and 

 cut flowers. Tulips, Tree Paeonies, etc., and good 

 samples of early vegetables. I sent you one of our 

 daily newspapers containing the reports of some of 

 our committees. The result has encouraged us 



