322 THE COMPLETE FARMER 



v/ith a plough or hoe late in November, or beginning of De- 

 cember, has been found very efficacious in destroying them.' 

 This last mentioned remedy, if it will always prove efficient, 

 will probably be the cheapest and most expedient. But the 

 worm must be capable of enduring a considerable degree of 

 cold, or unerring instinct would not lead it from its dormito- 

 ry in November (as it frequently does) to brave the rigors 

 of winter on the stem or branches of the tree. We are in- 

 clined to believe, as well as to hope, that the apphcation of 

 lime, as above stated, will prove effectual ; and if so, it will 

 probably be preferable to any mode of applying tar, or at- 

 tacking the enemy above ground. 



When the insects have ascended, their numbers may be 

 lessened by jarring or shaking the body or limbs of the tree, 

 causing them to suspend themselves by the threads which 

 they spin from their bodies, and striking them off with a 

 stick. It is said that those which thus fall to the earth do 

 not rise again. Whether they would be able to resist the 

 effects of a sprinkling with soap-suds, saline or bitter infu- 

 sions, &c., is more than we can say ; but we wish their 

 powers nr-ight be tested by showering them with those mix- 

 tures which are found to be the best antidotes against other 

 insects. 



Caterpillar. ' This is one of the worst enemies to an 

 orchard when neglected ; but easily destroyed by a little 

 attention. In the spring, when the nests are small and the 

 insects young and tender, they never venture abroad in the 

 early part of the day, when the dew is on the trees, or in 

 bad weather ; they may then be effectually destroyed by 

 crushing them in the nest. This attention, continued a short 

 time every spring, will destroy those in existence, and will 

 prevent their increase in future years : if left till grown 

 strong, they wander from their nests, and cannot be effectu- 

 ally overcome without great trouble and expense.' — Coxe on 

 Fruit- Trees. 



The Hon. Timothy Pickering, in a letter to the corre- 

 sponding secretary of the Massachusetts Agricultural socie- 

 ty, has recommended an implement for the destruction of 

 caterpillars. It is made by inserting some hog's bristles 

 between twisted wires, in such a manner as to form a cylin- 

 drical brush, which will present bristles on every^ide. This 

 is attached to a pole of such length £s the trees may require, 

 and the caterpillars are brought down by it, and then crush- 

 ed. Other methods have been proposed, such as casting over 



