ABOUT FRUITS, FLOWERS AXD FARMING. 



89 



the worm, with the exception of three, and these three were 

 probably the most thrifty and flourishing peach-trees he ever 

 saw. The only cause of their superiority knouTi to his host, 

 was an experiment made in consequence of observing that 

 those parts of worm-eaten timber into which nails had been 

 driven, were generally sound ; Avhcn his trees were about 

 a year old he had selected three of them and driven a 

 tenpenny nail through the body, as near the ground as pos- 

 sible ; whilst the balance of his orchard has gradually failed, 

 and finally yielded entirely to the ravages of the worms, 

 these three trees, selected at random, treated precisely in 

 the same manner, with the exception of the nailing, h.id 

 always been vigorous and healthy, furnishing him at that 

 very period with the greatest profusion of the most 

 luscious fruit. It is supposed that the salts of iron afforded 

 by the nail are offensive to the wonn, whilst they are harm- 

 less, or perhaps even beneficial to the tree." 



We do not wish to interrupt any experiments which the 

 enterprising may choose to make. To be sure we regard 

 the facts with some incredulity, and the chemical explana- 

 tions with something of the mirthful superadded to unbelief. 

 But if nails are an antidote to worms — a real vermifuge — 

 let th orn b e adinii iistcred. ^-jjt^tever may be the explana- 



I ctric battery, giving the 



)le lightning, or whether 



o physic them, or "evolve 



9 it strength that vermicular 



in a campaign of experi- 

 i Will be carried to the very 

 V ill propound several other 



theory, which, if settled, 



laurels. 



in a plum-tree, or an iron 

 a crop of plums. This 



