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OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS, 



AND 



DISEASES TO WHICH FRUIT TREES ARE LIABLE. 



MUCH may be written relative to the various diseases to 

 which fruit trees are liable, and also to the prevention and 

 destruction of the various kinds of reptiles and insects, which 

 very frequently deprive us of the first fruits of our garden. 

 The preventive operations are those of the best culture. 

 Autumn ploughing, by exposing worms, grubs, the larvae of 

 bugs, beetles, &c., to the intense frost of our winters, and 

 the moderate use of salt, lime, ashes, &c., are beneficial. 

 Insects may be annoyed, and sometimes their complete 

 destruction effected, by the use of soapsuds, lye, tar, turpen- 

 tine, sulphur, pepper, soot, decoction of elder, walnut leaves, 

 tobacco, and other bitter and acrid substances ; but perhaps 

 the most effectual way of keeping some of the most perni- 

 cious kinds of insects under, is to gather up such fruit as 

 may fall from the trees, before the insects have an opportu- 

 nity of escaping into the earth, or to other places of shelter 



Where trees are planted in a bad soil, or unfavourable 

 situations, they often become diseased ; when this happens, 

 the best remedy is good pruning, and keeping the trees 

 clean by a free use of soap and water. If that will not do, 

 they may be headed down, or removed to a better situation. 

 Barrenness and disease are generally produced by the bad 

 qualities of tne earth and air, by a want of water, or by the 

 inroads of insects. These incidents generally show them- 

 selves in the early part of the year. Leaves and shoots of 

 any colour but the natural green ; curled and ragged leaves; 



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