36 



GROWING GOLD. 



and what is worse, the system continues un- 

 abated, and the plantations of tender age are 

 subject to the same ruinous process. 



It is stated that ''vegetables are subject to 

 many diseases : sometimes they are covered 

 with a whitish matter, which sticks to them 

 like dust, this is called the mildew. This does 

 not proceed from insects as is commonly be- 

 lieved, but from a stagnation in the juices, 

 and a commencement of corruption, which 

 attracts the insects and entices them to lay 

 their eggs upon it. The stagnation of the 

 juices is the first stage of corruption, and it is 

 supposed that this alone is sufficient to attract 

 insects, because they are seen swarming by 

 thousands as soon as, through a natural or 

 artificial cause, the circulation of the juices 

 is stopped in a tree. Hence it is, that the 

 weakest and worst situated trees are most fre- 

 quently exposed to this malady. If the insects 

 were really the cause of it, it would be impos- 

 sible to produce it by art : whereas, if a tree be 

 designedly wounded, or deprived of the care it 



