BLIGHT. CANKER. INSECTS. 13 



our trees, the borer worm is the most annoying ; 

 and we know of no better method to adopt for 

 its extirpation, than that recommended some 

 time since, by A. J. Downing, of Newburgh, 

 which is to examine the trees in early spring, as 

 also in the fall, and cutting them out. The 

 method we adopt as a preventive to their again 

 entering, described under the article " Peach," 

 we believe to be one of the most effective. After 

 cutting out these worms, as also all decayed wood 

 from hollow wounds, the holes should be covered 

 from the heat and moisture, by applying the fol- 

 lowing composition, which will ordinarily prevent 

 further decay. It is given thus : Take one pound 

 of Burgundy pitch, half a pound of beeswax, and 

 one pound of tallow ; melt and spread upon 

 brown paper or cotton cloth (the latter is prefer- 

 able), and apply closely to the wound. This 

 compound we use also for grafting, as it will or- 

 dinarily resist the force of rain, frost, drying 

 winds, and the influence of a changeable atmos- 

 phere. With regard to what is called fire-blight, 

 which occasionally affects the pear tree during 

 the months 'of June and July, causing the branch 

 to wither, and which may be caused by forcing, 

 or high manuring, we have never as yet had 

 any trees affected by it, and can therefore give 

 only the directions of others. 



On the subject of blight, the Eev. Mr. Beecher, 

 in an article read before the Indiana Horticultur- 

 al Society, as communicated for Hovey's Maga- 

 zine, says, " The spring of 1843 opened early, 

 but cold and wet, until the last of May. The 

 summer was both dry and cool, and trees made 

 very little growth of new wood. Towards au- 

 2 



