On Trench Ploughing. 247 



must encounter the same degree of risk in the expe- 

 riment, to which I was exposed. 



The last harvest, I had an hundred shocks to each 

 acre of wheat off an old trenched, small field, which 

 was well attended ; and manured, moderately, with 

 dung and compost. It is now threshing ; but uncom- 

 monly injured by rats. I shall have more than thirty- 

 five bushels to the acre, under nil its misfortunes. I 

 have lost, as it now appears, one third of my crop, 

 by these vermin.* 



Belmont, February 1th, 1808. 



* On this field I have a fine, young, and hitherto flourish- 

 ing orchard. This spring, I directed it to be trimmed ; 

 and have made an unpleasant discovery. The cankerr 

 worm (as I conceive it to be) is committing the most de- 

 structive ravages. Many of the trees will be victims ; and 

 those planted either deep or shallow are alike affected. The 

 person who pruned it, informs me that this worm appears 

 generally through the neighbourhood, in ruinous number, 

 hitherto unknown ; and in trees of all ages, soils, and ex- 

 posures. Some orchards (he says) are not worth the price 

 of trimming them. I observed several trees of the same 

 kind of apple, free from the worm ; and I intend to notice 

 them hereafter. I have not heard of any remedy or pre- 

 ventive, or made enquiries ; as the misfortune is new to me. 

 I have seen accounts of these worms in New- York, and the 

 eastern states. But do not recollect to have read of reme- 

 dies. It would be well lor the society, to promote enquiries ; 

 and obtain information upon the subject. My ^dnce trees 

 are in the road to ruin, occasioned by these worms. A 

 neighbour informs me, they destroy young chesnut, and 

 other succulent forest trees. I will endeavour to find out from 



