OF FRUIT TREES, 91 



ing the tar in season is too apt to be neglected, 

 through hurry of business and forgetfulness. The in- 

 sects are so amazingly prolific k, that if ever so few of 

 them get up, a tree is ruined, at least for the ensuing 

 season. 2. The pasturing of swine in an'orchard Dr. 

 Dean supposes to be an excellent method, where it 

 can conveniently be done. With their snouts and 

 their feet they will destroy many of the insects before 

 they come out of the ground ; and he has never 

 known any orchard constantly used as a hog-pasture, 

 wholly destroyed, or even made wholly unfruitful by 

 worms. But this method cannot always be taken ; 

 and if it could he does not suppose it would be quite 

 effectual. He considers tarring as the preferable an- 

 tidote, and gives the following directions for applying 

 the article in the most effectual manner. 



In the first place, it is necessary to begin the ope- 

 ration very early in the year. Not observing this 

 caution has occasioned the want of success which 

 many have complained of; for it is certain that the 

 bugs will begin to pass up as soon as the ground is so 

 much thawed, that they can extricate themselves ; 

 which is, in some years, as early as February. There- 

 fore, to make sure work, it is best to begin as soon 

 as the ground is bare of snow in that month, that the 

 first thawing of the ground may not happen before 

 the trees are prepared ; for beginning after ever so 

 few of the insects have gone up, the labour will all be 

 lost. Another thing to be observed is, to fill the crev- 

 ices of the bark with clay mortar before the strip of 

 linen or canvass is put on, that the insects may not 

 find any passages for them under it. Having put on 

 the strip, which should be at least three inches wide, 

 drawn it close, and strongly fastened the ends togeth- 

 er, a thumb-rope of tow should be tied round the tree, 

 close to the lower edge of the strip. The design of 

 doing this is 3 that the tar may not drip, nor run down 



