190 On Peach Trees. 



between Trenton feny and Cliristiana creek, ^vhere the 

 fruit is most injured by the curculio, there also the mor^ 

 tal distempers of our peach trees are most prevalent. 

 My acquaintance with natural histor}', however, is so 

 limited, that I can only suggest the hint, and express 

 my wish, at the same time, that you, Avho have it so 

 much in your power, may pursue the enquiry, by the 

 assistance of persons at your elbow, altogether qualified 

 for the task. Professor Barton would probably render 

 you his assistance cheerfully. Or if he should be too 

 much occupied, there are in }'our city, other men, and 

 all the books requisite for the enterprize. If the natu- 

 ral history of these insects were once well ascertained, 

 we might then combat them to great advantage. 



The best means of combating the curculio, are sug- 

 gested in the Encyclopaedia before mentioned. — For 

 destroying the worms at the root of the tree, the best 

 method I have ever employed, is to draw the dirt from 

 the root of the tree, in the fall, and pour boiling water 

 on the roots. In the spring, my practice is, to return 

 the soil to the tree, in the form of a hill. By means of 

 this sort, a tree may be preserved many years. 



I ha^'e seen t^vo measures proposed, in our news pa^ 

 pers, for curing the ycUov/s in particular, and for de- 

 stroying insects generally. One is that of boring a hole 

 in the tree, filikig it with mercurial ointment (unguen- 

 tum coerulewnj and corking it up. The other is by 

 boring a hole on the north side of the tree, filling it with 

 spirits of turpentine and corking it up. Both authors 

 assert, that their respective specific kills and disperses 

 ever}^ kind of insect from the tree thus treated. I have 

 not yet employed either; but I am so well persuaded of 



