MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT TREES, &c. 267 



applied train oil, laid on with a painter's brufh, with a view 

 of deftroying thefe infects, but they have not been fuccefsful*. 

 Indeed, I by no means approve of applying oil to trees upon 

 any account, as, by fhutting up the pores, it is apt to render 

 them bark-bound. 



Of Caterpillars, 



Caterpillars are very deftructive to Cabbages, and all the 

 braffica tribe, and frequently make depredations on trees, par- 

 ticularly the Apricot. They fhould, therefore, be carefully 

 obferved and picked off. A few years ago, Kenfington gar- 

 dens were very much infefted with them ; but by carefully 

 picking and deftroying them, and all the aurelia that could 

 be come at, very few are now to be feen. During the 

 Winter and Spring, every chryfalis that can be found under 

 the copings of walls, on gates, palings, &c. fhould be def- 

 troyed. Many may alfo be found about the doors and win- 

 dows of hopfes, under the eaves, and in many other places. 



The beft method of preventing trees from being infefted is, 

 to fcrape the ftems with a piece of bone or wood made in the 

 form of a knife, taking care not to bruife the bark ; and after- 

 wards to wafli the tree and wall with an equal quantity of 

 foap-fuds and urine mixed. 



* Since writing the above I have been informed, that the farmers in Kent likewife 

 life train oil ; but if they would make a fair trial of urine and foap-fuds, they would find 

 it more effectual., and it would coft nothing but labour : betides, what falls on the borders, 

 will make a fine manure. The urine and foap-fuds fhould be fayed in tubs in Winter; 

 and, as it will be too flrong for ufe in Summer, it may be lowered by adding water. This 

 mixture will alfo be found effectual iri killing Hugs that harbour about the roots of the 

 irees and bottoms of the walls. When it foaks into the ground, the Hugs will work their 

 way, and may eafily be killed by throwing a little more of the mixtuie on them from- a 

 watering-pot with a rofe. 



M M 2 As 



