AME 



[33] 



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a reddish fluid. These insects are in- 

 jurious by piercing the sap- vessels of 



the tree, sucking the juice, and causing 

 juice, and causing wounds which ulce- 

 rate and finally destroy the hranch at- 

 tacked by corroding through all the sap- 

 vessels. The cottony matter is abundant ; 

 and, wafted to other trees, conveys to 

 them infection by bearing with it the 

 eggs or embryo insects. Such, however, 

 is not the exclusive mode of diffusing the 

 disease ; for although the females are 

 usually wingless, yet some are probably 

 produced with wings at the season propi- 

 tious to colonization : the males are 

 uniformly winged. In the winter these 

 insects retire underground, and prey 

 upon the roots of the apple-tree. A tree 

 thus ravaged at all seasons will soon be 

 killed, if prompt and vigorous remedies 

 are not adopted. The affected roots may 

 be bared and left exposed for a few days 

 to the cold ; and the earth, before being 

 returned, be saturated with ammoniacal 

 liquor from the gas-works. In early 

 March the branches should be scraped 

 and scrubbed with the same ammoniacal 

 liquid, or a strong brine of common salt ; 

 but, whatever liquid is employed, the 

 scraping and hard bristles of the brush 

 should penetrate every crack in the bark. 

 We have foxmd spirit of turpentine, ap- 

 plied thoroughly to every patch of the 

 insect by means of an old tooth-brush, 

 the most effective destroyer of these in- 

 sects. The spirit must be applied care- 

 fully, because it kills every leaf on which 

 it falls. The codlin and June eating- 

 apple trees are particularly liable to be 

 infected ; but we never observed it upon 



any one of the russet apples, and the 

 Crofton pippin is also said to be exempt- 

 ed. Our woodcut represents the insect 

 of its natural size as well as magnified. 

 The head, antennae, and proboscis by 

 which it wounds the sap-vessels, are still 

 further magnified. 



AMERICAN COWSLIP. Dodeca' tkeon. 



AMERICAN CRANBERRY. Oxy coccus 

 macroca rpus. Soil light, and occasion- 

 ally manured with rotten leaves. Peat has 

 been considered indispensable by some 

 cultivators ; but we much question whe- 

 ther this be not a mistaken impression, 

 and should not be allowed to deter per- 

 sons from planting in any ordinary dark 

 vegetable matters, soft alluvium, or hu- 

 mus, which may happen to be within 

 reach. On making an artificial compost, 

 we would advise one third peaty or other 

 dark and unctuous material, one third 

 leaf-soil or old decayed weeds, and one 

 third light and sandy loam or ordinary 

 soil. Situation : It requires a constant 

 supply of water ; and on a south bank, 

 where this supply can be obtained, it 

 may be planted in rows four feet apart 

 each way, and the water made to circu- 

 late in a small ditch between the rows. 

 But the edge of a pond will suit it almost 

 as well, provided that a little soil of a 

 proper character is introduced round the 

 margin. It is well to state, however, 

 that a very considerable amount of suc- 

 cess has been attained in beds of a peaty 

 character, without any system of irriga- 

 tion. After-culture : The shrubs require 

 no other attention than to be kept free 

 from weeds. A top-dressing annually in 

 November of heath-soil or rotten leaves 

 has been stated to prove of much service. 

 The American cranberry is considered of 

 easier culture than the English, or Oxy- 

 co'ccus plaustris; the latter requiring 

 more moisture than the American. Pro- 

 duce : The fruit, used for tarts and pre- 

 serving, is so abundant, that a bed six 

 yards long is sufficient for the largest 

 family. Propagation: suckers, cuttings, 

 or seeds ; the two former planted early 

 in the autumn. 



AMERICAN CRESS. Barbce'rea pre'cox. 

 Soil and Situation : For the winter 

 standing crops, a light dry soil, in an 

 open but warm situation ; and for the 

 summer, a rather moister, and shady bor- 

 D 



