No. 133.] 425 



According to the observations of Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, who 

 has <;iven an excellent account (in vol. 6, page 272, of the Massa 

 chusetts Agricultural Repository and Journal,) of this insect, the 

 grubs attain their full size by the twentieth of July, soon become 

 pupae, and are changed to beetles and leave the trees early in 

 September. Thus the existence of this species is limited to one 

 year. 



Wliitewashingand covering the trunks of the trees with grafting 

 composition, may prevent the female from depositing her eggs upon 

 them, but this practice cannot be carried to any great extent in 

 plantations or large nurseries of these frefs. Perh^^ps it will be 

 useful to head down young trees to the ground with the view of 

 destroying the grubs contained in them, as well as to promote a 

 more vigorous growth. Much evil might be prevented by employ- 

 ing children to collect the beetles while in the act of providing 

 for the continuation of their kind. A comrpon black bottle, con- 

 taining a little water, would be a suitable vessel to receive the 

 beetles as fast as they were gathered, and should be emptied into 

 the fire in order to destroy the insects. The gathering should be 

 begun as soon as the beetles first appear, and should be continued 

 as long as they are found on the trees — and furthermore, should 

 be made as general business for several years in succession. 



Dr Underbill, of Croton Point, observed — That much may be 

 said in favor of introducing many noble American forest trees as 

 ornaments and shades, and for useful purposes as timber. Why 

 should we not line all our roads with them 1 I do not object to 

 bringing fine trees from other countries, yet let us first avail our- 

 selves of the splendid trees which abound in our great forests. 

 Among the trees imported and now too extensively planted, there 

 is one which 1 and many others consider a nuisance ; that is the 

 Ailanthus, the smell of its flowers is very disagreeable and I be- 

 lieve prejudicial to health. It should be displaced and our 

 healthy, handsome, noble trees brought in. It is scarcely neces- 

 sary ihr me to say that I appreciate the fine trees and plants of 

 other countries as highly as any one. I am for making the best 

 of our own heritage — improving all that our Creator has given 

 us J plant the trees — care for them so that when our bones shall 



