166 On destroying the Meally Bug. 



with a woodman's racer, gouge, and chisel, scoop out all the 

 cankered and rotten wood, until I find a clean live surface 

 at the bottom of each wounded part. In saying this, I do 

 not mean to recommend wanton lacerations : I have seen 

 the ill effects of scoring the stems of trees as it is practised by 

 some gardeners, farmers, and others, when it is supposed the 

 trees are bark-bound. These excoriations are sure to harbour 

 the aphis and other insects. 



I will engage, with the undermentioned medication, and by 

 using the above method, to bring sound wood in the stems 

 and branches of fruit-trees in general, although after the ope- 

 ration of cleansing the wounded parts, there may not be more 

 than one inch of sound bark to carry on the circulation of the 

 sap, provided the stems or branches be properly supported. 



I use the following, viz. Two quarts of vegetable tar, half an 

 ounce of corrosive sublimate, half an ounce of spirit of salt, 

 and one gill of spirit of hartshorn. 



The sublimate must be pounded in a marble mortar, add- 

 ing the spirit of salt by degrees, to dissolve the mercury ; next 

 add the hartshorn, rubbing altogether until completely mixed. 

 Provide an earthen glazed pipkin, and put in the poisonous 

 liquid ; add the tar, by degrees, constantly stirring it, to pre- 

 vent its running over. I take an old painter's brush, and 

 cover all the wounded parts with the mixture, which will 

 adhere and give way to nothing but the growing wood and 

 bark. It is necessary to use earthen ware, as the mercury 

 will corrode metal or wood. 



Wherever this mixture is applied, it will infallibly destroy 

 the aphis, or any other insect, and prevent emigrants from in- 

 fested trees from lodging on the wounded parts, or feeding on 

 the juices of the young growing bark. Owing to its poisonous 

 quality, no person need be afraid of any mischief to any do- 

 mestic animal, as the noxious smell and taste of the tar pre- 

 vents every danger. I am, Sir, &c. 



James Dann. 

 Linton Place, Dec. 6. 1826. 



Art. XIV. On the Destruction of the Meally Bug, Coccus 

 lanigera, on Vines and Plants in Pots. By Mr. James 

 Strachan, Gardener to Edward Harman, Esq. F. H. SL 

 Clayhill, Enfield, Middlesex. 



Sir, 

 The vines and other plants in the hot-houses at this place 

 having been for a long time much infested with the white 



