94 



manifestly made an improvement in the construction of the 

 trough, but as troughs somewhat similar to these are said to 

 have been used in the town of Danvers many years ago, your 

 Committee think neither of the above named gentlemen 

 entitled to the premium for a " new^ cheap and effectual remedy 

 for the ravages of the canker worm." 



They recommend, however, tlmt in consideration of the value 

 the introduction of these troughs is likely to be to the public, a 

 gratuity of fifteen dollars he awarded to Mr. Leach for his 

 improvement in their construction. 



Perhaps it should here be stated that one member of the 

 Committee dissents, for reasons which he has embodied in the 

 accompanying Minority Report. We understand that he 

 objects to giving any premium whatever, because he believes 

 that the destruction of the canker worm will be accomplished 

 soonest by letting it alone. But assuming the policy of offering 

 these premiums to be sound, he would agree with tlie majority 

 in respect to the proposed awards. We have here neither time 

 nor space to discuss his view of the subject, but for the benefit 

 of those orchardists, who do not accept his theory and are 

 determined to fight the canker worm, we wish to present the 

 facts brought to the notice of the Committee, and the con- 

 clusions drawn by the majority in reference to the different 

 methods of opposing the canker worm now in use. 



The troughs used by Mr. Sawyer are made of two by three 

 joists sawn from two-inch plank. A channel, an inch or more 

 deep and an inch and a half wide, is grooved out and the stock 

 is then sawn off in a mitre box at suitable lengths for different 

 sized trees, and the pieces nailed together, one side slightly, 

 so that it can easily be removed when placed around, the tree. 

 A square box or trough is thus made, which is laid level on 

 the ground around the tree. Tlie space between trough and 

 tree-trunk is filled with dirt, the trough itself filled with coal 

 tar from the gas works, and the work is done. On ploughed 

 land it is easy to level up the earth around the tree, but on 

 grass ground it may be necessary to carry sand or dirt on 

 which to place the trough. The troughs first used by Mr. 



