OF INSECTS, &c. 333 



Ants are likewise very fond of them, on account 

 of a sweet liquid which they eject from the anus. 

 Aphides are extremely common. 



Fruit-trees are frequently very much infested 

 w^ith different species of the aphis ; the Plum, in 

 particular, suffers greatly by them. Those which 

 I have most frequently found on Plums, are, the 

 brown, the green, and the light sea-green aphis ; 

 but as before observed, different sorts of trees ge- 

 nerally have different species of aphides. Great 

 care should be taken to destroy these pernicious 

 insects at as early a period of their growth as pos- 

 sible ', otherwise they will consume the leaves and 

 fruit for that season. The best method that I have 

 found for this purpose is, to take some fine wood- 

 ashes mixed with one third part of fine unslaked 

 lime, and throw it on with a common dredging-box, 

 till you have covered the undersides of all the 

 leaves where you find the insects : this should be 

 done in the morning early, while the dew is on the 

 leaves, which will cause the powder to adhere to 

 them ; letting them remain so covered with the 

 powdered lime for three or four days. Then mix 

 unslaked lime and soft water, or water that has 

 been exposed to the sun a week at least, at the rate 

 of half a peck to thirty-two gallons, and stir it well 

 two or three times a day, for three or four days. 

 If you have many trees that are infected with in- 

 sects, mix up a large quantity in the same pro- 

 portion as the above. I generally mix as much at 



