52 NEW AMERICAN OBCHARDIST. 



causes inveterate canker ; the wounds turn black, and the 

 bark, for perhaps several feet below, becomes equally black, 

 and perfectly dead, in consequence of the bleeding. 



The lower side limbs of young trees in the nursery, 

 should be gradually shortened, but not suddenly close- 

 pruned; they are essential for a time to strengthen the 

 trunk, and to the upright and perfect formation of the 

 tree. 



SECTION XII. Noxious INSECTS, ETC. 



SUBS. 1st. APHIS, PUCERON, VINE FRETTER. Of 

 this genus of insects there are many varieties ; they prey 

 on the leaves of different plants. Various modes for their 

 extermination have been successfully tried. Infusions of 

 tobacco-water, or of aloes, or elder leaves, or of Cayenne 

 pepper, thrown on the leaves with a syringe, are said to be 

 effectual. Willis's syringe is the best known for this pur- 

 pose. Sulphur dusted on them with swan-down puff has 

 been highly recommended. Lime water answers in many 

 cases, and even soap suds. Lastly, hot vinegar is a power- 

 ful application. 



SUBS. 2d. BORER. The borer is a destructive worm, 

 which perforates the wood of the apple and quince at the 

 surface of the earth, or a little below, where the bark is 

 tender. If the insects have once entered the tree, they 

 must be dug out, or destroyed, by introducing a sharp, flex- 

 ible wire, and the aperture must afterwards be filled with 

 clay or mortar. The eggs which produce this insect are 

 deposited from the last of April to the beginning of June. 

 To prevent their attacks and secure the trees effectually, 

 nothing more is necessary than to surround it, a little be- 

 fore the season when the eggs are deposited, either with a 

 small conical mound of unleached ashes, or clay, or mor- 

 tar, or with a wrapper of brown paper, as recommended 

 for the peach. For small trees, a solution of two pounds 

 of good potash in seven quarts of water, applied with a 

 brush, from the height of a foot quite down to the surface, 

 is a very cheap, easy, and effectual mode of preserving 

 trees from their attacks, provided the application is made 

 at the suitable season. 



In some parts of New Jersey the worm is very destruc- 

 tive to the peach tree. They enter at the surface of the 



