72 THE LAECH. 



clearing off surface herbage, and anything that en- 

 courages superfluous moisture. 



A species of beetle known as the curculio {Hylobus 

 abieles) attacks newly planted larch, and such as from 

 any cause become sickly, by eating the bark ; but I 

 cannot say I ever saw them injure a truly healthy tree ; 

 and the best remedy, therefore, is to preserve as far as 

 possible the trees at all times in good health, and this 

 can only be done by placing them under conditions 

 congenial to their nature and habits, which again 

 implies much practice and experience in planting, &c. 



