HOP-BRANCHES A SUBSTITUTE FOR FLAX. 
343 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HORTICULTURAL REGISTER. 
Sir, —Excuse me for dictating to you, but I think it would be a 
great improvement if you would give representations of various insects 
which infest fruit-trees and vegetables; I think they would add to 
the value of your Register, and increase its list of subscribers amongst 
the lower orders. There are many insects at the roots of trees 
which are injurious, as well as a great many sorts of insects which 
would be the cause of the destruction of those trees were they not 
destroyed by lime, or some other substance, especially in soils which 
they call “ made soils.” You very seldom find worms or other insects 
in soils which are new; but you will find them increase every year, 
which, I think, is occasioned by the increase of vegetable substance in 
that soil. There is a very disagreeable-looking insect,—I think it is 
commonly called a centipede ,—which is very prevalent in made soils, 
and cannot, I think, be destroyed by lime. 
I have ventured to make these remarks in almost total ignorance of the 
subject, but hope they will attract the attention of other correspondents 
of your very interesting publication. I think I could procure several 
different kinds of insects, and forward them to your publisher, if it 
would be of any use, and save you trouble. 
Would you have the goodness to answer the following questions in 
your next number:—“ Do you think insects might be destroyed on 
fruit-trees by any gummy substance mixed in water and poured over ? ” 
I think it would stick them to the leaf, and death must follow; and 
“What would be the best substance to dissolve?” Your obedient 
servant, J. B. G. 
July ‘Id. 
[We thank our correspondent J. B. G. for his suggestions, which shall 
be attended to in future numbers. If he can conveniently send us the 
insects alluded to, we shall feel obliged, and will have them figured, 
if it will serve any useful purpose. The idea of using some glutinous 
wash is good, and shall not be forgotten.— Ed.] 
Hop Branches , a substitute for Flax .—After the hops are picked, 
cut the branches into strips of about three or four yards long, expose 
them to macerate in the dew for a few nights, then put them in run¬ 
ning water, and afterwards dry them in the air. After this they must 
be crushed, and treated in the same manner as flax.— Annales des 
Arts et Manufactures. 
The experiment is stated to have succeeded perfectly in France. 
