APPLE-TRUNK BORER REMEDIES — SOAP. 21 



also., especially if a half pint of it could be injected into each of 

 the holes which are frequently made by four or five worms in one 

 young tree. But as these holes are commonly already stuffed 

 full of sawdust-like matter and woody fibres, we see not how any- 

 thing can possibly be injected until these are removed. And 

 this solution, we are further told, must be injected " into the hole 

 where the borer has entered," Now this hole is at first no larger 

 than a pin, and often becomes wholly closed up in the course of 

 a few weeks, so that, as Hood says, " there a'n't no Billy there " 

 — the worm having opened another orifice through which to eject 

 its castings. Yet the terms of the prescription are explicit and 

 peremptory. Through the hole where the worm has entered the 

 solution " must be " injected. 



In the treatment of the Apple-tree borer, to use a medical term, 

 there are two w indications." The first is, to protect the tree 

 from attack; the second, to destroy the worm. And as we have 

 simple, direct, and effectual modes for accomplishing both these 

 purposes, there is no occasion for dwelling upon those which are 

 of doubtful efficacy or inconvenient to be applied. 



Experiments amply show that alkaline preparations of suitable 

 strength are most repulsive, nay, directly poisonous to most in- 

 sects and their larvae, whilst upon vegetation they have an oppo- 

 site effect, promoting the health and accelerating the growth of 

 plants. Of these preparations, one of the least expensive, one 

 which is everywiiere at hand, and of suitable strength for being 

 applied freely to the outer bark of trees without danger of ero- 

 ding or otherwise injuring its texture, is common soft soap. Many 

 citizens from all parts of our State, who were present at the last 

 annual meeting of the State Agricultural Society, will recollect 

 the high encomiums passed upon this article, by the Hon. A. B. 

 Dickinson, and his statement that a handful of it placed in the 

 axils of the lower limbs was a sovereign prophylactic, repelling 

 all insects from the tree. Although we cannot deem the applica- 

 tion of this substance in this simple manner such a panacea as 

 was intimated, indeed, we are confident it could have no effect 

 to prevent a moth or a plant-louse from alighting and depositing 

 its eggs upon the distant leaves and twigs — yet against all those 



