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insect, named Scolytus Pyri by Professor Peck, who 

 detected the culprit in a withered branch of the pear- 

 tree, has produced a great deal of discussion in the 

 horticultural papers, which it is not my intention or 

 desire to renew. Permit me, however, to remark, 

 that, though long and carefully sought for in the blasted 

 limbs and trunks of these trees, neither the insect in 

 question nor its track has been found by me, and 

 that the only specimen in my possession was, with 

 many others, discovered by a friend in Worcester in 

 the diseased hmbs of his pear-trees. It is, therefore, 

 not in my power to add any thing to the account pub- 

 hshed by Professor Peck.* His testimony, drawn 

 from personal inspection of the seat and mode of attack 

 selected by the insect, others have confirmed by their 

 own observations heretofore made pubhc ; and there 

 can be no doubt that the Scolytus is capable of doing 

 extensive injury ; indeed, from what we know of the 

 habits of its nearest aUies, we have every reason to 

 fear, that, if permitted to increase in number, its pow- 

 ers will eventually be beyond control. It is gener- 

 ally admitted, if the leaves on the extreme branches 

 of the pear-tree should suddenly wither in the months 

 of July and August, that it is highly important imme- 

 diately to cut off the affected and blackened hmbs at 

 some distance below the apparent extent of the injury ; 

 and if, on a careful examination, these limbs are found 

 to contain insects, they should undoubtedly be burned 

 without delay. 



* Massachusetts Agricultural Repository, Vol. IV. page 205. 



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