228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



or frigliten the birds ?) If it is war, let us begin with the 

 tent caterpillar, by getting a pole of the proper length, a lot of 

 old pieces of cotton waste or cloth, some matches, and the kero- 

 sene oil-can. At the time the nests are as large as a teacup, or 

 less, we will proceed to the orchard, and wind some of the waste 

 or cloth around one end of tlie pole ; then pour some oil on and 

 fire it with a match, and hold it to the nests. Thus a man or 

 boy can destroy hundreds in a few hours, and you will find it a 

 pleasure to roast them out. 



To battle the scaly bark-louse, you must do it by scraping the 

 trees after the fall of the leaves. Or take one pound of potash 

 in two gallons of water, (or less, if the trees are old, with thick 

 bark,) and with a paint-brush go over all parts where the scaly 

 rascals are lodged ; and better if the whole tree be washed. If 

 this does not destroy the eggs, it will soften the shell, so that 

 frosts will finish tlie work. Another method is to make a solu- 

 tion of potash or oil-soap — one pound of either in five gallons of 

 water — and, with a syringe or force-pump, throw it all over the 

 trees — say about the middle of May to the same time in June. 

 This will also check or prevent many other insects from injuring 

 the young fruit. 



As yet, we have not seen anything so effectual against the 

 ascent of the canker-worm moth as the sheepskin and kerosene 

 oil, recommended by Mr. Flint. Or a piece of canvas, tied 

 around the trees below the branches, and kept saturated with oil 

 and tar as often as it dries up. If these are adopted, an old 

 piece of cloth or hay can be wound around the base of the trees, 

 to absorb what oil and tar may run off, and thus prevent the 

 borers by the same operation. 



For the destruction of winged insects, there are various ways 

 pointed out by different writers ; but we shall advise encour- 

 aging the return of birds, and protecting them in every possible 

 manner. For a shelter to the orchards and gardens, and refuge 

 for birds, we should plant belts of evergreens — say twelve to 

 twenty feet wide — with elms and maples interspersed so thick as 

 to break the wind from the north-west to north-east, and more 

 if convenient ; and tliese belts, by being so near the fruit-trees, 

 will be a refuge for the birds, when unavoidably disturbed, and 

 hide them from boy or man and other hawks that prowl around 

 to destroy them. 



