THE APPLE. 71 



the whole tree is cut away. Trees in good soil, and kejit in a 

 [)r()per state of cultivation, will not be so subject to attacks of the 

 Blight as those otherwise situated. 



Ants — are sometimes very troublesome about fruit-gardens, by 

 making their hillocks among the trees. The plow or hoe will gen- 

 erally compel them to find other quarters, but not always. They 

 may be extirpated by pouring boiling water in upon them. If they 

 infest the ripening fruit, as they sometimes do, catch them by sus- 

 pending an open bottle in the tree, partly filled with syrup or mo- 

 lasses — then destroy them. 



Rabbits — are very destructive to young orchards and nurseries, 

 by gnawing the bark, especially during the snows of winter. They 

 eat the bark for food. 



The trees must be protected by tying split corn-stalks, or small 

 strips of bark, or shingles around the body, or by wrapping them 

 carefully with wisps of twisted straw, to the height of two feet or 

 more. 



Mice — will also frequently injure the bark of trees near the 

 base, especially if any grass or straw in which they can shelter has 

 beeu allowed to remain there. 



To keep them away, heap a mound of dirt around each tree in 

 tlie fall, to the depth of ten or twelve inches, and allow it to remain 

 till spring. 



