AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 389 



l3oIlecl her soap, she heated the kettle full of the refuse ley to a boiling de- 

 gree, and poured it all down the stem of the tree, intending to "scald it to 

 d€ath," as she said. It soon blossomed more abundantly, and bore a pro- 

 fuse crop of plums, which it brought to the greatest perfection. 



" This same principle could be applied to the destruction of every kind 

 of destructive insect upon the various choice fruit trees, either by pouring 

 boiling water upon the limbs and stems, or by conducting a stream of steam 

 from a hose or pipe, from a movable boiler, to kill both eggs and insects. 



" Chestnuts, too, are very liable to be worm-eaten. If they were sub- 

 jected to a momentary heating (wet or dry heat), to a sufficient degree to 

 scald, it would destroy the germ of the worm that destroys that sweet nut. 

 And the same principle would also prevent all wood used in building and 

 machinery from becoming worm-eaten." 



Prof. Mapes. — I have used hot water on peach trees, and satisfied my- 

 6elf that a peach tree cannot be injured by hot water. 



Mr. Carpenter said that lime was the best thing he ever tried around 

 peach trees. 



Mr. Wheeler said that lime will not kill the grubs in the wood. 



Mr. Smith, of Lebanon, Connecticut. — I have found no remedy except 

 manual labor, though wood ashes are valuable, and so is lime. I have an 

 orchard in full bearing, that is fourteen years old. 



Prof. Mapes. — I have never found any remedy equal to hot water. It 

 cooks the worms, 



MOLES. 



A letter upon the subject of m.oles, was read, which elicited a lengthy 

 discussion. 



This animal, says the letter, as you probably know, has a very small 

 apology for eyes, which cannot be discovered till the skin is removed ; and 

 it cannot be ascertained that they are of any practical use. His sense of 

 hearing and of smell is very acute, and he is enabled to elude observation, 

 and to avoid anything unusual that may be placed in his track. No device, 

 however, with which I am acquainted, will force him to abandon a well 

 cultivated tract abounding with earth worms, which are his chief attraction. 

 He will pass from hill to hill, severing the corn, melon, or other seeds from 

 the tender plant, thus greatly impeding its progress, and in many instances 

 wholly destroying it. In a scarcity of earth worms, he will prey upon 

 beets, potatoes and other roots, with voracity ; still the damage he thus 

 does, is of little account compared with that produced by his relentless 

 plowing or rooting. Where the soil is fertile and not too wet, this intruder 

 will be found undermining all vegetation, and is a source of discomfort to 

 the agriculturist, which must be realized to be appreciated. 



" Failures in. field and garden, which are often attributed to- drouth, or 

 insects, are many times produced in a great measure by moles. At morn- 

 ing, noon, and evening, the mole goes forth on his depredations, making 

 the most rapid movements, (for an undergound performance), and in less 



