APPENDIX. 



151 



destroying the vital principle of vegetation in the tree. So that upon 

 this principle it is advisable to plant such trees in open grounds. 



There are undoubtedly other causes of trees in such situations being 

 injured or destroyed when others are not, but which I cannot satis- 

 factorily explain. 



With regard to the destruction of the Borer, which infests the locust 

 trees, I will merely state the facts of an experiment I made in June, 

 1836. 



In the early part of summer of that year, at the time when the locust 

 is usually growing most rapidly, I discovered that two beautiful trees 

 of the common locust, in front of our house, appeared pale and sickly, 

 and were not growing as others were, or as they had done the year 

 previous ; and on examining their trunks I found, to my grief, that 

 great numbers of the borer were committing their depredations upon 

 them, and that unless something could be promptly done to destroy 

 these invaders, I must lose my favorite trees. I immediately took a 

 half pint of spirits of turpentine, without diluting, (thinking I would 

 either kill or cure,) and washed the trunks of my trees therewith, at 

 the same time picking out with my knife and killing as many of the 

 insects as could be found. In a week's time, the appearance of the 

 trees was improved, though they did not grow much that year. 



The next year I repeated the washing, though no borer could be 

 found, and the trees grew well ; and in June, 1838, they were growing 

 as finely, and looked as flourishing, as any other trees. 



In case any one should wish to make the experiment upon a large 

 scale, the turpentine might be diluted with muddy water, (it would not 

 mix with clear,) and would undoubtedly answer every purpose, and go 

 much further. 



It appears to me it would be a public benefit, and conduce much to 

 the advancement of science and the benefit of agriculture, if the Com- 

 monwealth should provide for the procuring of meteorological observa- 

 tions, and pay a suitable compensation for performing the labors of 

 such an office. The state of New York employs several such officers, 

 who are connected with the schools and colleges of the state. 



If keeping such a journal is a public benefit, why should not our own 

 state patronize the object, and let it be connected with the agricultural, 

 instead of the academical department of science. If any benefit is to 

 be derived from observations on the various phenomena of the seasons, 

 let it be directed towards advancing the interests of the agricultural 

 community. The keeping of such a journal, is necessarily attended 

 with considerable expense of time. 



