DISEASES OP THE CAROB TREE ] 125 



are generally kept in check by the ladybirds and other 

 beneficial insects. The ripe or dry pods are subject to 

 the depredations of the larva of certain small moths, 

 some sorts being more liable to suffer than others, and 

 it is by no means a rare occurrence to see the carob 

 beans already moth-eaten when still hanging on the tree, 

 in August. Hence our farmers are sometimes compelled 

 to anticipate the harvest, the green or half-green pods 

 being used immediately to feed livestock on the farm. 

 The large beetle Oryctes nasicornis Fb. developes in 

 the rotten heartwood, but is not really parasitic. Rats are 

 very partial to the bark of the carob tree, and during 

 winter many branches and sometimes whole trees are 

 killed by being barked all round by these animals. If the 

 injury is noticed in goo*d time, the rats may be deterred 

 by painting over with tar, or with a lime-wash charged 

 with 3 to 5 per cent of blue vitriol or of Paris green. 



