142 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



economy of which would appear to differ but little from 

 the larger species which are mostly confined to the 

 tropics. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



In the drier parts of the colony many of the orchards 

 and vineyards are surrounded by the well-known " box 

 forests," the dead trees of which in particular furnish 

 unlimited breeding places for the White Ant. 



When an orchard or vineyard is about to be formed, 

 ffreat care must be exercised to see that as many as 

 possible of the roots of the newly-grubbed trees are 

 taken away or burned on the spot, as it is here where a 

 deal of the mischief takes place, the insects being in the 

 dead wood of grubbed trees, and these, if left in the soil, 

 will furnish excellent breeding places, and from which 

 the newly-planted trees will receive, probably, their first 

 infection. 



This is a matter of the very first importance, and should 

 be strictly carried out, as by such precautions much of 

 the damage caused by these pests may be either averted 

 or at least greatly lessened. 



It has been found that trees, if they have escaped the 

 attack for the first two or three years of their growth, 

 usually either resist the attacks or escape altogether, so 

 it is in the earlier stages of the tree's existence that we 

 must concentrate our efforts if we are to succeed in com- 

 bating this most destructive enemy of the vigneron and 

 orchardist. 



Before the trees are planted they should be submerged 

 for a short time in a solution of either tar-impregnated 

 water, as recommended for other trees, or Quibell's mix- 

 ture ; proportions, 1 to 30, which has been proved to be 

 an excellent dip, as the smell of tar in any form is not 

 only of a lasting nature, but is particularly obnoxious to 

 insect life of all kinds. 



