726 [Assembly 
sects which infest the trunk or which are obliged to crawl up 
the trunk to gain access to the tree, we have little doubt it will 
prove an effectual safeguard. Washed downwards as it will be 
by the rains so as to impregnate the bark over the chief part of 
the trunk and to the very root, there is little probability that the 
beetle of the Apple-tree borer will venture to deposit its eggs in 
a situation where those eggs, or the young worms which proceed 
from them, will be exposed to destruction from encountering this 
alkaline matter. The late Mr. Downing (Horticulturist, vol. ii. 
p. 531) recommended a mixture of soap, sulphur, and tobacco 
water, with which to paint the bark of the tree immediately above 
the surface of the ground, and in the axils of the lower limbs; 
subsequently (vol. iv. p. 536) he recommends soap merely thinned 
with tobacco water, to the consistence of thick cream, to be ap¬ 
plied to the same places. According to his observations, the 
borer entirely forsook the trees which were thus washed, even 
though the mixture had been applied some weeks previous to the 
appearance of the winged beetle. There can be little doubt that 
the efficacy of these prescriptions of Mr. Downing depend chiefly, 
if not entirely, upon the soap they contain. It will be as well, 
therefore, to apply this alone, in the manner in which it is used 
by Senator Dickinson, or by rubbing it in the axils of the lower 
limbs and around the base of the tree, these being the parts 
which are liable to be attacked by this insect. In all orchards 
where the borer is present or where a visit from it is apprehen¬ 
ded, this measure should invariably be resorted to-the latter part 
of May, or, in more northern localities, where the beetle will be 
somewhat later in appearing, early in June. Young thrifty trees, 
especially, should be attended to, as this insect appears to be par¬ 
ticularly inclined to infest them. 
With regard, in the next place, to destroying the worm, where 
the trees have been neglected and the beetle has been permitted 
to invade them and deposit its eggs. If time permits, the orchard 
should be examined the last of August, and the outer surface of 
the bark at the root scraped, to detect any black spots theiein ; 
for at this time, the minute worms in the haik can be more readily 
destroyed than at any subsequent period, and before they have 
