244 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS. 



than for the Apple and Pear. Such fruits as may require 

 peat, bog, or any other extraordinary kinds of earth, will be 

 noticed as we proceed 



OBSERVATIONS 



ON INSECTS, AND DISEASES TO WHICH FRUIT TKEES ARE 

 LIABLE. 



MUCH may be written relative to the various diseases to 

 which fruit trees are liable, and also to the prevention and 

 destruction of the various kinds of reptiles and insects, 

 which very frequently deprive us of the first fruits of our 

 garden. The preventive operations are those of the best 

 culture. Autumn ploughing, by exposing worms, grubs, the 

 larva? of bugs, beetles, &c., to the intense frost of our Win- 

 ters, and the moderate use of salt, lime, ashes, &c. are 

 beneficial. Insects may be annoyed, and sometimes their 

 complete destruction effected, by the use of soap-suds, He, 

 tar, turpentine, sulphur, pepper, soot, decoction of elder, 

 walnut leaves, tobacco, and other bitter and acrid substances ; 

 but perhaps the most effectual way of keeping some of the 

 most pernicious kinds of insects under, is to gather up such 

 fruit as may fall from the trees, before the insects have an 

 opportunity of escaping into the earth, or to other places of 

 shelter. 



Where trees are planted in a bad soil, or unfavourable 

 situations, they often become diseased; when this happens, 

 the best remedy is good pruning, and keeping the trees 

 clean, by a free use of soap and water. If that will not do, 

 they may be headed down, or removed to a better situation. 

 Barrenness and diseases are generally produced by the bad 

 qualities of earth and air, by a want of water, or by the 

 inroaJs of insects. These incidents generally show them- 

 selves in the early part of the year. Leaves and shoots of 

 any colour but the natural green ; curled and ragged leaves ; 

 branches in a decaying state ; shoots growing from the 

 roots, instead of from the stem or trunk; the stern diseased 



