w r 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



away all affected parts and apply a suita- 

 ble covering to the wound. It rarely 

 proves a serious evil in this country. 



The American Blight (so called) is caused 

 by the Aphis lanata, a small insect so thick- 

 ly covered with fine white hair as to ap- 

 pear enveloped in fine cotton. It is fur- 

 nished with a small bristle-like beak, 

 with which it perforates the bark of the 

 branches. Excrescences arise, the limb 

 grows sickly and perishes. Branch after, 

 branch is assailed in turn, and the whole 

 tree ultimately dies. It is easily destroyed 

 on young trees, and older ones if recently 

 attacked, by brushing over the affected 

 parts a mixture of equal parts of fish oil 

 and rosin melted together and applied 

 warm. The operation should be performed 

 as early in the season as possible, or when 

 the insect is first perceived * In Eng- 

 land, many trees have been greatly in- 

 jured, and some destroyed by it. Although 

 introduced into nurseries in this country, 

 it has hitherto proved of little injury, and 

 if carefully watched probably be kept 

 from spreading. 



The Canker Worm, where it has ap- 

 peared, is perhaps the most destructive to 

 apple trees of any insect in America, but 

 it has hitherto been confined in its ravages 

 to certain parts of the country, particu- 

 larly of New England. Its habits are 

 thus described by Kendrick : 



" The canker worm, after it has finished 

 its work of destruction in spring, descends 

 to the earth, which it enters to the depth 

 of from one to five inches. After the first 

 frosts of October, or from the 15th or 20th, 

 those nearest the surface usually begin to 

 rise, transformed to grubs or millers. They 

 usually rise in the night, and invariably 

 direct their course to the tree, which they 

 ascend, and deposit their eggs on the 

 branches, which are hatched in April or 

 May. They frequently rise during mo- 

 derate weather in winter, when the ground 

 is not frozen, and in March, and till to- 

 wards the end of May. When the ground 

 in spring has been bound by a long con- 

 tinuance of frost, and a thaw suddenly 



* If applied early, lime whitewash will de- 

 stroy it effectually. 

 3 c 



takes place they are said sometimes w 

 ascend in incredible numbers." 



They destroy all the leaves of the tree 

 and thus eventually cause its death. The 

 only effectual remedy yet devised is to 

 prevent their ascent, which is effected by 

 means of circular lead troughs filled with 

 fish oil, encircling the tree. 



J. J. T. 



From the American Agriculturist. 

 CORN FOR SOILING AND FODDER. 



I had read several accounts of Indian 

 corn sown broadcast for soiling and cur- 

 ing for hay, and I determined to try it. 

 My experiment made last year was con- 

 clusive as to the great quantity which 

 can be made on an acre, and as to its va- 

 lue when cured for winter food for cows 

 and horses. None of it was fed in the 

 green state, as I had sufficient pasturage 

 for my stock during the summer and fall 

 months, and therefore, I can say nothing 

 about it for soiling from my experience ; 

 but I presume that whatever grass makes 

 good hay will answer well for that pur- 

 pose. There is no other vegetable which 

 will yield so large and nutritive a quan- 

 tity of dry fodder to the acre. It will 

 produce from five to seven tons to the 

 acre of dry food, if the ground is rich and 

 well prepared* The only difficulty is in 

 curing it if the weather should be wet 

 when it is cut, or in cutting it too green. 



The ground should be well ploughed 

 and thoroughly pulverized with the har- 

 row, and two and a half bushels of seed 

 sown to the acre immediately after the 

 last ploughing and harrowing, to get the 

 start of weeds and grass. If the .seeds 

 were soaked, so as to come up very quick- 

 ly, it would be advantageous. Plough 

 in the seed with small ploughs or cultiva- 

 tors, so as to cover them shallow, and roll 

 the ground. The proper time for sowing 

 here, is between the 25th of April and 



* We think this a low estimate, and that 

 from 7 to 10 tons per acre, on rich and highly- 

 manured land, would be nearer the mark. 

 Some assert that they have grown 15 tons of 

 dried fodder or more per acre. — Ed. AgricuU, 



