30 
THE FRUIT CULTIVATOR. 
Caterpillars. —Of these there are many different kinds which prey 
either on the buds, the leaves, flowers, or fruit of the apple tree. 
They are mostly the larva of moths, the eggs of which are laid in the 
crevices of the bark or round the buds in the autumn or spring, and 
on the approach of warm weather are hatched, eat their way into the 
buds, and often devour both leaves and flowers. Sometimes the 
whole of the foliage is destroyed by the caterpillars of a very small 
moth (Tinea patella,) which come forth in such myriads as to eat 
every leaf off whitethorn hedges, as well as those of the apple in shel¬ 
tered places. There is no way of keeping trees free from these winged 
insects, unless we could wash or sprinkle the whole tree in the autumn 
with some liquid that would be offensive to them. Fumigating the 
orchard with heaps of burning haulm, or straw sprinkled with sul¬ 
phur, in the autumn, is said to taint the trees, and drive away the 
parent insects from nestling thereon. So effectual is this expedient 
deemed in Normandy, that it is never omitted by the orchardists there. 
Parasite Plants. —Such plants as live upon others are called par¬ 
asites. Of those affecting apple trees, are the rust, mildew, misletoe, 
lichen, moss, &c. The three last are got rid of by any cutting or 
scraping tool. Sometimes to prevent moss or lichens fixing them¬ 
selves on trees, they are smeared with a wash of hot lime and water; 
and which is no doubt serviceable, as well for the purpose for which 
it is applied, as for preventing insects depositing their eggs on the 
bark. Rust and mildew are both funguses, which are easily killed 
by strong soap-suds repeatedly applied to the parts affected, or by 
sprinkling, when wet, with flour of brimstone alone, or mixed with 
soap suds. These remedies must be applied in the garden when 
necessary; but it is seldom they can be conveniently employed 
in the orchard. The author has found soot, or rather the effluvia of 
it, to be very offensive to many insects, by only strewing it on the 
ground Tinder the trees. 
Gathering and Preserving Fruit. —All summer fruit should be 
gathered in the cool of the morning. They are then more juicy, 
and higher flavoured. If gathered in the heat of the day, they are 
vapid, and not half so refreshing to the palate as when gathered be¬ 
fore the sun has much power. 
Fruit baskets should be made of any light material, chip or wicker¬ 
work, either round or square, with cross handles ; and with rims 
about 2| inches deep. There should be one for each kind of fruit, 
and covered within with vine leaves to receive them singly, as ga¬ 
thered. This refers to all fruit which are gathered from the tree on 
the day they are to be used ; such as early apples, pears, plums, 
