98 
PLUM. 
across the stem, the only course to be advised is to cut them down as 
soon as they are found to be infested, and to burn the part containing 
the beetles. It is no waste, for in the case of young trees the beetle- 
borings are rapidly fatal. 
In Nova Scotia, plugging up the beetles in their tunnels with 
wooden pegs was tried, to prevent them escaping, and the plan being 
too tedious, sharp nails were substituted, but the result was not 
successful. “ Those that were plugged in on Saturday were coming 
out in other spots on Monday.”* In one case, however, plugging 
was found to cure the attack. Where, however, the attack has been 
established (as mentioned at p. 97) for some years, it is very difficult 
to see wliat can be done. Trees that are dying from attack ought of 
course to be cut down, and the infested part burnt, but the only 
general measures available appear to be those suggested by Mr. 
Fletcher for use in the Nova Scotia Apple orchards, namely, of 
coating the trees with some wash or mixture which will not hurt the 
bark, but will prevent the beetle getting in or getting out. One 
application advised for trial is a thick coat of whitewash with some 
Paris-green in it. 
Another is the thick soft-soap wash known as the “ Saunders’ Wash,” 
thus noticed:—“Soft-soap, reduced to the consistence of a thick 
paint by the addition of a strong solution of washing-soda in water, is 
perhaps as good a formula as can be suggested; this, if applied to the 
bark of the tree during the morning of a warm day, will dry in a few 
hours and form a tenacious coating not easily dissolved by rain ” 
(see p. 28 of Mr. Fletcher’s Report previously quoted). In a commu¬ 
nication which Mr. Fletcher was good enough to send me on Nov. 29th, 
he further mentioned :—“ With regard to the soap-wash suggested for 
Xyleborus dispar , I have this year suggested the addition of carbolic 
acid, which I feel sure will have a good effect.” 
It might quite be expected that just enough to scent the applica¬ 
tion, without being enough to hurt the bark, would act well; but it 
can hardly be too strongly urged on fruit-growers that they should be 
on the alert, and on the first signs of attack take measures accordingly. 
The little shot-like holes, with very possibly sap oozing from them, or 
possibly wood-dust thrown out, are signs to be looked for, and measures 
to destroy the beetle before it spreads should be taken at once. 
We chiefly know of it here as having severely injured Plum- 
stems and branches; but the European and American names of 
“Apple-bark Beetle,” “Apple-twig Borer,” and “Pear-blight,” as 
well as its recorded habits show that it needs looking after in good time. 
For further notes on habits and means of prevention, see Appendix. 
* Report of ‘ Entomologist ’ Department of Agriculture, Canada, p. 27. 
