I04 Mr. L*Hommedieu on the dejlruction of priUy &c. 



The Engliih black thorn in Southampton was nearly equal 

 to the prim in Eail Hampton : This has lately all died there, 

 as it has in every other part of the colintry where it grew. A 

 certain fly makes a hole thro' the bark of the thorn, and there 

 depoiits its eggs or maggots ; the fap of the thorn runs out 

 at this hole and hardens on the bark, and becomes a hard 

 burch round the limb, and prevents all circulation of the fap 

 or juices in that part, and intirely kills the limb ; this being 

 the cafe in the different branches from the fame flock, the 

 whole is foon deftroyed. There are frequently three or four 

 of thefe maggots in one bunch ; they grow near half an inch 

 long before they become a fly. They have alfo by the fame 

 means deftroyed all the plumb and damfon trees on the Eaft 

 end of Long-Ifland ; and have lately began on the cherry- 

 trees, efpecially on the black cherry, which was fet in ditches 

 and bade fair -to make good hedges, and in a ihort time will 

 probably kill the whole ; and it is to be feared that they will 

 increafe and deftroy all our cherry trees, tho' I have not feen 

 any large trees injured by them as yet. Where the prim and 

 thorn hedges were deftroyed no fubftitute has been attempted. 

 Where poft and rail fence cannot be got the ditches are kept 

 up, and with ftakes and poles on the top a temporary fence is 

 made. It is difficult to fay what would be the beft thing for 

 a hedge that we can depend on : The thorn of this country 

 would make an excellent hedge, far fuperior to the Englifh 

 white thorn, but we have not as yet been able to raife it from, 

 the feed or haws. 



