238 EVERY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



In regard to all insects which are injurious to trees, 

 hy climbing them, and committing depredations upon 

 them, in various ways, we believe, from the most cor- 

 rect information we have been enabled to obtain, from 

 various sources, that, by taking the earth away from 

 the roots of the trees, very early in the spring, and 

 destroying whatever may appear to be the abode of 

 any insects ; and then returning the earth back, mixed 

 with a small quantity of sulphur, sprinkling some of 

 this upon the surface, will keep every insect from as- 

 cending any such tree. 



The effect of sulphur, for this purpose, is very du- 

 rable. Probably one operation of this kind will last 

 for several years ; though, on this point, we hfive no 

 particular information. Other repellants of insects 

 may be found repellants only for a time, more or less 

 limited ; but perhaps may answer the purpose for one 

 spring ; such as quicklime, fine salt, old urine, strong 

 soap-suds, a strong decoction of tobacco, onions, <fec. 



Let either of the four last mentioned ingredients be 

 applied, boiling hot, to the roots, after first taking the 

 earth away, as before mentioned. 



Curculio. 



This is a bug, about the size of that which eats into 

 the pea, and has proved very troublesome to most of 

 the smooth-skinned fruits, and even to peaches, apples, 

 and pears, in different parts of the country contiguous 

 to PhUadelphia. It has also made its appearance about 

 Albany. 



It ascends the trees in the spring, and as the fruit 

 advances it makes a wound in the skin, and there de- 

 posits the embryo ; from which a maggot is first pro- 

 duced. This preys upon the fruit until it dies and falls 



