The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-17
Earlncra, Climb.

An irregular meeting of this club was held on
Tuesday in the rooms OF the American Institute,
Mr. HYDER in the Chair, in order to complete the
business left unfinished by the last meeting. The
subject, one of deep importance to the agrcuitu-
raj and horticultural interests OF the country-'ln-
sects-theIr injury to vegetation, and modes OF
destruction" should have commanded more
numerous attendance than appeared upon this
occasion, OF those peculiarly involved in ascer-
tanning the apparently mysterious system, by
which the most healthy and luxuriant trees, as
well as crops, are suddenly swept, as by pest-
ential inhalation within their vltals, from bloom
and early maturity to blight and rapid consump-
ton-triumphing over all the experiments OF art
and ingenuity-and suddenly, 10y arbitrary and
capricious progress, defying all remonstrance
that experience could dictate, or reason suggest
1t to open channel of investigation that
this subject selected, and we repeat, that
none, OF paramount, universal Importance, could
possibly engage, or more probably, belong to a
society proiessedy organized for the develop
ment OF all that belongs to the advancement OF
the all important cause they have espoused.
We were informed, early in the discussion, OF the
great devastation that garden in the city was ex-
posed to, by the ravages of insects upon fruit
trees, grape vines, vegetables, squashes, &c; but
of that fact, too many were unhappily from expe-
reuce convinced. 1t was reserved for Dr. Under
hill to deveope-from the resources of mind de-
voted to the cause of agriculture and horticul-
ture-the foundation of that pestllence, which,
as il ashamed of its depredations, makes 'dark
ness its hiding place." and spreads its upas
sterility over the bright and blooming pro-
auctions of natures God and mans hand.
The investigation of the subject OF insects, the
Doctor observed, was as unlathomable as the ex-
tent Of their influence was unlimited; varying in
form, size, numbers and genealogy, they baliled
the most experienced TO detect their origin or OBJ
viate their ravages. Among fruits they seem pc
culiarly to reve; ann from the specimens he pro-
duced of the peach, the ounce the pear, and even
the i'm ported hawthorn, their destructive powers
were illustrated with vengeance. That while IT
displayed the CELEBRITY Of their movements, exit
bited the rapid conagion that followed their m
sorutable tra k--the sting ascending as the sap
descends The only remedy he found effectual
was embarrassing The trunk Immediately after
the spring. Where ounces We're planted IN wet
sols this process was equally saiutary as lending
to resist the progress OF the snail in Its upward
movements, the lime possessing the property of
dissoving the shell. Doctor Underhill produced
branches OF the ounce, with an infinite quantity
OF anmalcnlss deposited within the fruit, and
brick color skin surrounding the surface The
Doctor repudiated the idea entertained by the
Jersey farmers, that the East winds blast pro-
duced this bl'ghting effect upon the peach tree;
but was convinced that the beetle, which swarms
the trees in the cool OF tho evening, IS the positive
cause, affecting with equal venom the hardy leaf
of the oak, as well as the delicate and fbrous To-
liage of the peach. The Newtown plppin and
the grape vine subject to these destructive
animacul,n. From such nroads, as well as from
those OF the caterpillar, Dr. Underh'll recommends
the application of spirits OF turpentine, applied
with sporge ON the end OF pole Tobacco
smoke is doubtful in its efficacy. The pioughing
of the ground the latter end Of October or Novea-
Der, is efectcal, so far exposing the insect TO
the weather, and thereby producing its de-
siructon. The Doctor thought, too, that hogs,
freely exercising their vocation, wonid also
be yery beneficial in destroying animalcula.
An emphasis upon the efficacy of fire, was
made by the Doctor, who quoted the interruption
of the march Of the ocusts over the Alps, IN tneir
progress 10 the borders of the Rnnes and Pfac-
tis.d here with muck success. The Doctor re-
co,nmends pairing or 'craping of The e., Outside
bark Of fruit trees, without penetrenng u'e ""ur
coat, and thereby disodging the indus Una. c"n.
reon;res = cautious and skilhl hand. The proxi-
,,;,u Of the wild cherry renders the caterPillars
more dangerous by furnishing them with depo,
Ienathened but highly useful dissertation on this