AND DISEASES OF FRUIT TREES. 15 



can lodge in the wound ; when this is done, let a quantity 

 of soot be mixed with water, and a little train oil well worked 

 among it, but so that the mixture finally remains stiff; this 

 may be plastered over all the wounds that have been pruned. 

 The application of this mixture keeps out the wet from the 

 wounds, where it would be likely to lodge, and both the 

 soot and oil promote vegetation. When trees are cankery 

 from having a bad subsoil, it is in vain to apply any remedy 

 till the ground is properly drained, some fresh soil mixed 

 with the natural soil, and the tree replanted. When trees 

 are known to be so situated as to be particularly liable to the 

 attacks of insects or disease, they should be attended to at 

 the time of winter or early spring pruning, in order to de- 

 stroy the insects in their larvae state. 



The following compositions have been known to protect 

 fruit trees from the attacks of numerous insects, by being 

 used as a wash to the trees immediately after pruning. The 

 constitution of some trees will bear a much stronger mixture 

 of ingredients than others ; but the proportions, as hereafter 

 described, will not be injurious to any, but will be effectual 

 in the destruction of the larvae of insects. 



For Apricot, Nectarine, and Peach Trees. To eight gal- 

 lons of water add one pound of soft soap, two pounds of 

 common sulphur, and half an ounce of black pepper. 



For Jlpple, Cherry, Pear, and Plum Trees. To four gallons 

 of water add one pound of soft soap, two pounds of com- 

 mon sulphur, two ounces of tobacco, and one ounce of black 

 pepper. 



For Figs and Vines. To four gallons of water add half 

 a pound of soft soap, one pound of sulphur, and a quarter 

 of an ounce of black pepper. 



All these ingredients must be boiled together for twenty 

 minutes at least, and when in a lukewarm state, applied to 

 the bark of the trees with a suitable brush.* 



* For the destruction of the Aphis which frequently attacks the Apple, 

 as well as other fruit trees, while young, an application of diluted whale- 

 oil soap to the leaves and branches has been found very efficacious- 



