133 
the roots and all cracks and wounds should be filled with grafting 
cement or clay mortar. Small limbs and infested branches, beyond the 
reach of the applications, should be cut off and burned.” 
It is not very difficult to reach and destroy the lice upon the trunks 
and larger branches, as this can usually be accomplished by an appli¬ 
cation of strong lye, soap suds etc., put on with a whitewash brush; 
or what would perhaps be rqore effectual, kerosene mixed with some 
other kind of oil. The great difficulty is to reach the insects on the 
roots, and the failure of all such applications as those above mentioned 
to counteract the Grape Phylloxera would indicate, at least, a some¬ 
what similar result in reference to the Apple-root louse, notwithstand¬ 
ing the confidence with which they have been recommended. The 
hot water remedy is probably the best yet suggested, as it is the sim¬ 
plest, and as effective as either of the others. 
Blot was of the oppinion that topical applications were of compari- 
tivly little value, his reliance being placed chiefly on preventive meas¬ 
ures, and to this end he recommended the following culture: “Avoid 
giving to the nursery in which the young trees are, any more shade than 
absolutely necessary; avoid placing the trees in too flat or humid ground, 
give to both the nursery and orchard all ventilation possible, so that 
they may be thoroughly aired, and keep the heads of the trees open, 
so as to favor circulation of air and the drying of the soil; use tne 
plow frequently, and do not permit rubbish or twigs to remain under 
the trees; surround each tree with a mixture of soot or tobacco and 
fine sand.” . 
As a matter of course, the preventive measures by cultivation must 
depend in part upon the character of the soil. If a very sanay sob, 
the necessity for air and sunshine is not so great as where it is heavy, 
nor is there the same necessity for repeated piowings. i am ot tne 
opinion that in most of the heavy soils of our state, lime might be 
advantageously used in moderate quantities about the roots of the 
trees. "And "in the nursery, lime or ashes might aid in keeping off 
these insects. These applications, combined with clean culture, will 
undoubtedly aid very greatly in preventing the occurrence of this pest, 
and also others almost or quite as troublesome. 
I have the following remarks to add to the foregoing article, partly 
to correct some implied rather than positive errors made therein; and 
to call attention to a generally received statement in reference to the 
species which I think needs further investigation beiorc it can be ie- 
ceived as conclusive. 
I may repeat here my conviction, after a more thorough study of the 
species and an examination of authorities I did not have at hand at 
the time the foregoing article was written, that this species was brought 
to America from Europe, instead of being an American importation 
into Europe. The determination, by Messrs, Walsh and Riley of the 
identity of the root and trunk species ( A . lanigera , Ilausm and I\m. 
pyri, Fitch) has a strong bearing on this question, and as it appears 
to me, should have as much and more weight in its decision than any 
other testimony we have. It shows that the apple is its proper and 
natural habitat or source of food, and as it is not replaced on the 
eastern continent by any other allied species, it is almost certain that 
it came with the apple from the native home o l this plant. I hat it 
will live on our native crab may be true, but so far as my examina- 
