THE CHERRY. 155 



The black aphis, or plant louse, is often very in- 

 jurious to young trees in the nursery, causing a 

 stunted and distorted growth, and when abundant 

 on newly grafted trees, sometimes destroying them. 



The best remedy is the application of whale oil 

 soap. A teacupful is dissolved in a pail of water, 

 and applied by a syringe, or by the immersion of 

 infested branches, which causes the immediate 

 death of the insects, and must be repeated every 

 few days till no more are found. 



The "Cherry Slug," (fig. 37,) when in large 

 numbers, does serious injury by eating the leaves, 

 ^is an i ma l which appears to be 

 the larva of an insect, is about 

 half an inch long, and dark green- 

 Fig. 37. i sn brown when filled with food. 

 Its smooth, shining, and jelly-like skin, and snail- 

 like appearance, have given it the name " Slug." 

 It may be repelled by dusting the cherry leaves 

 regularly, while wet with dew, with dry fresh ashes. 



Perhaps the greatest enemy to the cultivation of 

 the cherry, next to lawless boys, is the small brown, 

 crested bird, known as the Cedar bird. These 

 birds will in a short time, eat, mutilate, and pollute, 

 all the best fruit on a tree. The only effectual re- 

 medy appears to be powder and shot. They soon 

 become fearful and less destructive. A net thrown 

 over the tree,- would doubtless afford protection, and 

 might be done in case of some choice varieties. 



