45 



been suggested ; but on trial none have stood the 

 test of experience so well as the application of tar 

 around the trunks. This should be used both late in 

 the autumn and early in the spring, according to rules 

 which are sufficiently understood. Attempts have 

 been made * to destroy the insects in the pupa state 

 by turning up the soil, and exposing them to the action 

 of the frost, and by covering the earth an inch thick, 

 and to the extent of three or four feet around the tree, 

 with lime.f Should this practice supersede the neces- 

 sity of tarring, it will not only be an important saving 

 of time and expense, but will amply remunerate the 

 farmer by the improved condition of the land, and the 

 greater amount of the fruit. 



Apple-trees, throughout our country, are subject to 

 the attack of a borer, a native insect ; nor is there any 

 one so extensively and constantly prevalent. Notwith- 

 standing the exertions annually made to banish it from 

 the orchard and nursery, year after year it makes its 

 appearance. The reasons of this are to be found in 

 the economy of the insect, and in individual neglect, 

 neither of which has excited sufficient attention. The 

 common use of the term borer is deceptive and incor- 

 rect ; but, when coupled with that of the plant upon 

 which it preys, is admissible. There is, in fact, an im- 

 mense number of kinds of insects, all agreeing in their 

 habits of boring the trunks and limbs of trees, but 

 differing essentially from each other in appearance, 



* See a paper by the Hon. John Lowell in Uie fourth volume of" The 

 Massachusetts Agricultural Repository"; also, one by Mr. Roland 

 Howard, in "The New England Farmer," Vol. IV. p. 391 ; and Pro- 

 fessor Peck's communication, in " The Massachusetts Agricultural Re- 

 pository," Vol. IV. p. 89. 



f Mass. Agr. Repos. Vol. III. p. 317. 



