THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 301 



ground, or the shading of grass; but it avoids the hard, 

 scaly part, so that old trees are often undisturbed for years. 

 On the reverse, young trees are much injured by it, and 

 sometimes destroyed, especially where two or more are 

 at work at the same time. If they encircle the tree, there 

 is no hope of its rcovery, but this is rarely accomplished 

 by one worm. 



Though it feeds on the pulpy part of the bark, it seems 

 careful not to disturb the cuticle, so that were it not for 

 the gum and filth mixed together on the outside, it would 

 be difficult to find the depredator. The fresh filth however, 

 sufficently indicates its presence. By entering a knife 

 at that point, and slitting the cuticle longitudinally, the 

 establishment is soon broken up, for it is seldom four in- 

 ches in length ; and then we discover a white grub three 

 quarters of an inch long, which is readily extracted. 

 When it is removed, the tree speedily recovers. 



Some persons remove the soil to the depth of two or 

 three inches, and apply hot water, hot soap suds, or warm 

 brine, at any time in autumn or spring when the ground 

 is unfrozen ; and if the gum be also removed, so that the 

 fluid can enter the hole, the worm is sure to perish. 



Various methods have been employed to prevent the 

 attacks of this insect. In the spring, earth has been 

 piled round the tree a foot high, covering up all the bar k 

 that was tender. With the same object in view, canvas, 

 or ropes made of hay or straw, have been wound about 

 the stem and then coated with whitewash. Straw in an 

 upright position has also been applied. Tan in small 

 boxes has answered the same purpose ; and its properties 

 are also repulsive. Lime and ashes have the same effect. 

 Common salt, either alone or mixed with nitre, has been 

 found efficacious, besides promoting the growth and pro- 

 ductiveness of the tree. Half a pound has been scattered 

 round it at a time. Soot employed in the same way, is 



