904 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 
crevices, still busily at work ; but, on the occurrence of a rainy day, which, I 
suppose, has inundated them with the poisonous fluid, they have been found 
all dead. I have seen a small tree, that befure seemed to languish, thrive 
remarkably in the second season following the application of the acid ; a proof, 
at least, that it is not injurious to vegetation. This fluid has the recom- 
mendation of being devoid of the offensive odour of some others that have been 
used for the purpose ; and, so far from being unsightly, as lime is, no one could 
discern that an application of it had been made.” (G. JZ, vol. ix. p. 337.) 
The following composition has been found effectually to destroy the woolly 
aphis on apple trees in Kent. Take two quarts of vegetable tar, half an ounce 
of corrosive sublimate, halfan ounce of spirit of salt, and one gill of spirit of 
hartshorn. The sublimate must be pounded in a marble mortar, adding the 
spirit of salt by degrees, to dissolve the mercury; next add the hartshorn, 
rubbing all together until completely mixed. Provide an earthen glazed 
pipkin, and put in the poisonous liquid; add the tar by degrees, constantly 
stirring it to prevent its running over. Then take an old painter’s brush, and 
cover all the diseased parts with the mixture; which will adhere, and give way 
to nothing but the growimg wood and bark. It is necessary to use unglazed 
earthenware, as the mercury will corrode metal or wood. Wherever this 
mixture is applied, it will infallibly destroy the aphis, or any other insect, and 
prevent emigrants from infested trees from lodging on the wounded parts, or 
feeding on the juices of the young growing bark. Notwithstanding its poison- 
ous quality, no person need be afraid of any mischief to any domestic animal, 
as the noxious smell and taste of the tar prevents every danger. Before 
applying the mixture, scrape off, with a bluntish instrument, all lichens, and 
loose or rotten bark, from the stems and branches; then pare off the edges 
of the cankered holes, and other excrescences in which it is possible for the 
aphis, or any other insect, to be lodged; and, with a woodman’s racer, gouge, 
and chisel, scoop out all the cankered and rotten wood, until the clean live 
surface, at the bottom of each wounded part, is found. (Gard. Mag., vol. ii. 
p- 166.) Tar, diluted with a little oil of turpentine, it is said, will have the 
same effect as the above mixture; and will not, like it, run the risk of being 
injurious to vegetation. 
The Sublimate of Tar, applied to the part affected with the woolly aphis, by a 
common painter’s brush, is said to be an effectual mode of eradicating the 
insect. ‘Train oil, applied in a similar manner, with a stiff-haired brush, has 
also been found effectual. What the hairs of the brush do not stab to death, 
the oil tends to kill by suffocation, rendering impervious to the admission of 
air those breathing-holes in the sides of insects by which their respiration is 
effected. In the same way, spirits of turpentine have been found completely 
effectual ; and also strong old urine. Oil and soot, well mixed together, form 
another somewhat similar remedy; and lime-water, soot and salt, strong 
tobacco-water, soapsuds, and soft soap, have been recommended for the same 
purpose. (Gard. Mag., vol. ii. p.49, 50., and vol. ix. p. 337.) Much of the 
success attending the use of any composition, must necessarily depend 
on its being carefully and thoroughly applied, and on the repetition of the 
process wherever the insects reappear. (Jézd.) In some orchards and nur- 
series, no other application than brushing off the insect with common water, 
and a stiff painter’s brush, is made use of; and, by persevering in doing this 
all the summer, whenever the slightest indication of the insect appears, the 
trees may be kept quite clean. 
The Woolly Aphis attacks the Roots of Trees, as well as their trunks and 
branches; and it would seem more difficult to destroy them in the former 
situation than in the latter. Mr. Baron (Gard. Mag., vol. ix. p. 398.), 
having some currant trees affected at the roots with the woolly aphis, opened 
the earth round the stem, so as to lay bare the uppermost roots; washed the 
stem with strong soapsuds, and filled up the opening round it with the same 
mixture, stirring it with the broom, so as to form a pool of mud. This 
effectually destroyed the insect on the roots. 
