174 



INSECTS. 



habit of feeding on ; and returning an equal quantity of 

 compost, or rich earth, intermixed with manure. 



A writer for the New England Farmer^ vol. iii. p. 327, 

 states a case of an orchard having been preserved from 

 canker-worms, by means of a large number of locust-trees, 

 equal to about double the number of apple-trees. 



Mr. Roland Howard, of Easton, Mass., observes, (iV. E. 

 Farmer^ vol. iv. p. 391,) that ^'A quantity of lime was col- 

 lected from the sweepings of a lime-store, and spread on 

 the ground around a certain apple-tree, some time in the 

 month of November; (the foliage of which tree had been 

 destroyed by the canker-worm the preceding summer ;) 

 the ground being in a pulverized state, the lime was spread 

 as far from the trunk of the tree as the drippings from the 

 branches extended : the effect was stated to be the entire 

 disappearance of the worm, and an increased vigour of the 

 tree." The same vmter observes, that "moving the earth 

 with a plough or hoe late in November, or beginning of 

 December, has been found very efficacious in destroying 

 them." This last mentioned remedy, if it wdll always 

 prove efficient, wdli probably be the cheapest and most ex- 

 pedient. But the worm must be capable of enduring a 

 considerable degree of cold, or unerring instinct would not 

 lead it from its dormitory in November (as it frequently 

 does) to brave the rigours of winter on the stem or branch- 

 es of the tree. We are inclined to believe, as well as to 

 hope, that the application of lime, as above stated, will 

 prove effectual; and, if so, it will probably be preferable to 

 any mode of applying^ tar, or attacking the enemy above 

 ground. 



When the insects have ascended, their numbers may be 

 lessened by jarring or shaking the body or limbs of the 

 tree, causing them to suspend themselves by the threads, 

 which they spin from their bodies, and striking them off 

 with a stick. It is said that those w^hich thus fall to the 

 earth do not rise again. Whether they w^ould be able to 

 resist the effects of a sprinkling vvith soap-suds, saline or 

 bitter infusioiiS, &c. is more than we can say ; but we wish 

 their povrers might be tested by showering them with those 

 mixtures, hich are found to be the best antidotes against 

 other insects. 



Caterpillar. — " This is one of the worst enemies to 

 an orchard, when neglected ; but easily destroyed by a 

 little attention. In the spring, when the nests are small, 

 and tLe- insects young and tender, they never venture 



