INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



131 



of the tree ; but all the dead and diseased wood and bark 

 should be carefully removed, so that the new growth may 

 cover over the old wound as soon as possible. After the 

 operation, the soil should be drawn up to the neck of the 

 tree again, in order to prevent the sun and dry winds 

 from cracking the bark in the summer, or the severe frosts 

 from chilling it in the winter. 



BOILING WATER is recommended by some as a very 

 safe, simple and effectual remedy. We have never tried 

 it ourselves, and cannot speak from experience ; but we 

 have no doubt of its beneficial effects when judiciously 

 applied. But whether it is as good as the one we have 

 just described, and, if as good, as cheap, we do not know. 

 It is applied in various ways, the simplest of which is to 

 pour it all around the neck of the tree affected, so that it 

 may flow into, and fill up, every hole, thus destroying the 

 borer in its retreat. Our doubt of the complete success 

 of this method arises in the fear we have that the borer 

 will not be reached by the scalding flood, and, conse- 

 quently, often escape. It often, on entering a tree, 

 ascends, and its course is shielded, as well as concealed, 

 by the bark. Now, how is the water to reach it here ? 

 Will it not be shed by this panoply, and the insect remain 

 secure in his double-walled fortress ? 



Another cultivator applies the water in this way : 

 " Take a piece of half- inch lead pipe, say three feet long ; 

 bend one end to nearly a right angle, and fit the same to 

 the borer's hole, the main length of the pipe standing 

 perpendicularly ; place a funnel in the top, and fill the 

 pipe with boiling water ; the borer will soon be dead, 

 while the tenderest tree will not be injured by the process." 

 This is a very complete, effectual, and highly artistic 

 method, but we fear the time consumed in fitting the pipe 

 to the hole, and the funnel to the pipe, with the trouble 

 of finding the hole, and waste of water, would be dis- 



