CO 
ORCHARD INSECTS. 
that would presumably be highly undesirable to smear on unprotected 
bark, but which, still, if used with the proper protection between the 
bark and smear, might be useful, from being deterrent as well as 
adhesive. A preparation known as “ Pitt’s Axle Grease” is composed 
of black-oil or petroleum residue, animal grease, rosin (powdered), 
soda-lye, and salt dissolved in a little water. Hendrick’s Lubricant is 
prepared from whale or fisli-oil, white lead, and petroleum. 
In another preparation, fish in proportion of about six parts in ten 
of composition is used—the fish (whole) being steamed, macerated, 
and the jelly pressed through fine sieves, for use with the tallow and 
other constituents of the mixture. Another consists of tallow, graphite 
(that is to say, black lead, which would not be needed for the use under 
consideration), and camphor in the proportion of 3 to 5 lbs. per cwt. 
If this addition of camphor is practically possible, the smell would 
be so likely to prove serviceable as a deterrent that it would be at least 
worth experiment. 
With regard to effect of two different kinds of smear, Mr. C. D. 
Wise wrote me from Toddington on Nov. 18th :—“I enclose copy of 
Mr. Dyer’s analysis of grease. No. 1 is what we used last year, and 
which burnt the bark. No. 2 is what we now use on paper. I think 
I shall use No. 1 (if Capt. Corbett permits) again next year, as it does 
not run off the paper, which No. 2 does. As long as No. 1 does not 
soak through the paper, it cannot hurt.” 
The analysis of Prof. Bernard Dyer (Laboratory, Gt. Tower Street, 
London) was as follows:—“No. 1 Grease consists of tar-oils mixed 
with water and sulphate of lime. No. 2 consists mainly of rosin-oil, 
with apparently a little rosin, probably the residue from rosin-oil 
distillation mixed with a little carbonate of lime.”—B. D. (see recipes 
and observations, p. 59). 
I have also had report of Davidson’s Composition being very ser¬ 
viceable, and as far back as 1881 I have had information of this 
composition being used on young Pines to keep off rabbits, as 
keeping the trees free of Pine Weevil-attack, but (without entering on 
names which might do disservice to dealers) I must add that in this I 
speak only of “Davidson’s Composition” manufactured from the 
original recipe. There is a preparation said to be nearly the same, 
which may or may not be of service. 
Amongst various sticky substances which are considered serviceable 
in the United States for banding with, melted india-rubber is noted as 
being serviceable on account of it “always retaining its soft viscid 
state.” I do not find a recipe for its orchard-application, but, if not 
too costly,* some experiment might serviceably be tried on this matter. 
What we really want is some composition which is adhesive, but does 
not melt or gradually soak into the tree. 
