CANKER WORMS. 787 



"The worms let themselves down by threads in quest of prey, 

 like spiders ; by means of which the wind blows them from .tree 

 to tree ; so that in a close orchard not one tree will escape them. 

 But trees which stand singly are seldomer infested with these 

 insects. As they are the most pernicious kind of insects with 

 which Newengland is now infested, if any person could invent 

 some easy, cheap, and effectual method of subduing them, he 

 would merit the thanks of the publick, and more especially of 

 every owner of an orchard. 



"Several methods have been tried, with some degree of success : 

 I. Tarring. A strip of canvas or linen is put round the body of 

 a tree, before the ground is open in the spring, and well smeared 

 with tar. The females, in attempting to pass over it, stick fast 

 and perish. But unless barring be renewed every day, it will 

 become hard, and permit the insects to pass safely over it. And 

 renewing the tar in season is too apt to be neglected, through 

 hurry of business and forgetfulness. If birdlime were to be 

 had, it might answer the purpose better, as its tenacity will con- 

 tinue for some time. 2. Some tie straw round the bodies of the 

 trees. This serves to entangle and retard the insects, and prevents 

 the ascent of many of them. But they are so amazingly prolifick, 

 that if ever so few of them get up, a tree is greatly damaged, at 

 least for an ensuing season or two. 



"The pasturing of swine in an orchard, where it can con- 

 veniently be done, I suppose to be an excellent method. With 

 their snouts and their feet, they will destroy many of the insects, 

 before they come out of the ground, or while they are coming out. 

 And I have never known any orchard, constantly used as a hog 

 pasture, wholly destroyed, or even made wholly unfruitful by 

 these worms. But this method cannot always be taken; and if 

 it could, I do not suppose it would be quite effectual. When the 

 trees are young, the swine will be apt to injure them by tearing 

 the bark. 



"There are several experiments I could wish to have tried for 

 subduing these insects: Such as burning brimstone under the 

 trees in a calm time ; — or piling dry ashes, or dry\loose sand, round 

 the roots of trees in the spring; — or throwing powdered quick- 

 lime, or soot, over the trees when they are wet; or sprinkling 

 them, about the beginning of June, with sea water, or water in 



