3% BOOK OF FRUITS. 



the tree. In the state of New Jersey, where 

 this fruit is raised in great quantities, they 

 adopt the following practice to destroy this in- 

 sect. In the Spring, when the blossoms are 

 out, they clear away the soil, so as to expose 

 the root of the tree, to the depth of three 

 inches ; then surround it with straw about 

 three feet long, applied lengthwise, so that it 

 may have a covering one inch thick, which 

 extends to the bottom of the hole, the butt- 

 ends of the straw resting on the ground at the 

 bottom ; binding this round the tree with three 

 bands, one near the top, one at the middle, and 

 the third at the surface of the earth ; they then 

 fill up the hole at the root with earth, and press 

 it closely round the straw. By this process it 

 is said that the fly is prevented from depositing 

 its egg within three feet of the root ; and al- 

 though it may place the egg above that dis- 

 tance, the worm travels so slow that it cannot 

 reach the ground before frost, and therefore is 

 killed before it is able to injure the tree. For 

 Budding, &c. see the article under that head. 



PLUMS. 



The plum tree flourishes best in a rich, 

 sandy loam, neither too dry nor too moist. 



