The North-Carolina standard., 1848-09-13
DISEASE or THE pINE

we invite the attention of our readers to the follow
ing well-written and interesting communication from
Professor White, of Wake Forest College, in relation
to the disease of the Pine. We learn that millions
OF these valuable trees have been destroyed during
the present year, and that the prospect for the future
In many sections of the Turpentne country, is ex-
tremely gloomy. We hope the attention of men of
science among US may be fully directed to this
matter; and if any remedy can be discovered, that
the community may at once have the benefit of it.
We fear, however, that remedy can be suggested,
and that the disease will have to be allowed to take
its course:. ..-..
WAKE FOREST COLLEGE, August 90, ls4s.
DEAR Sir The object of this communication is to
invite attention to the disease of the pine In pa-
per before me, it is stated that correspondent of the
Mobile Herald ascribes the decay of the tree to the
influence or state of the atmosphere but the reasons
for the opinion are not given Most people will tell
you that 1t is worm, it is most commonly call
| ed the Saaoyer, because always heard in decayed
| pines; others again, that it is small bug.
About the middle of last month, (July,) most of
the pines in the beautiful forest surrounding our In
stltutlon commenced decaying, and in the trees ]
have examined, have generally found two small
bugs and three worms. collected number of these
and after keeping them night in a vial, trans
terred them to large glass jar, where they appeared
very inactive till introduced into the jar Block OF
fresh pine four inches long, from limb two inch
|
ested increased activity, and in three four hours
Were buried beneath the bark.
One of the bugs may be known from its head ter
minating in long weevil-like mouth nose. 1t is
black and never enters the tree till after it decays
The other (Coleopterous Tetrumernas-Capitate)i is
generally of deep mahogany color, the color OF
the bark of the pine, though many will be found
much lighter depending probably on the age of the
insect. 1t is from eighth to tenth of an inch in
length and about the diameter of common knitting
needle, being somewhat smaller than ordinary
grain of wheat or rice Its head is covered with a
shell horny shield that nearly encrcles it, giving
1t blunt or square appearance while the external
wings OF the same horny substance, cover the abdo-
men terminating downward like an inclined plane,
but hollow cupshaped, surrounded by eightor ten
turrets, and employed by the insect to carry push
out its dust or litter from its hole.
The entrance through the bark is very small, after
wards somewhat enlarged, though not sufficiently
large for the bug to turn round in, and the path nva
riably lies between the inner bark and the alburnum
or wood of the previous years growth. Sometimes
several enter the hole; then branches made
and burrows and pleasure grounds laid off. The
eggs deposited the side of the path averaging
about (ten each side) twenty the inch, that
the Larvae or worms become exceedingly numerous.
The bugs themselves will not fall short of eight OF
ten thousand to ordinary tree, and the estimate
would be very moderate to put the larve at twenty
or thirty times this number.
have had five pair by themselves forty-fve days,
and though their fare has been very limited and two
pair have died, yet, beside great number which
ed 112 healthy bugs, embracing children, several
grandchildren, and probably few great grandchiI-
dren.
will trouble you at this time with only two ad-
ditional remarks except the inquiry, why is it, that
when pines are cut down during certain months In
the year, the bug from these them, commence
Immediately their depredations!
If you strike the point of your knife slightly against
the bark of recently made hole, the insect immedi-
atey appears generally pushing litter to stop the
trance. Woodpeckers understand this habit of the
bug, and by two strokes with the bin secure
their prey 1t pleasing to observe how many holes
are visited by these Industrious birds. Let US be
grateful for their services, and let every boy who
Kills one be whipped: Again, the bug is often driven
back after reaching the inner bark wood, by flow
of the sap turpenne to the hole. And not unfre-
quently is this the after entering two or three
inches. Thus trees make successful resistance,
though assailed apparently by thousands. Are not
trees destroyed more extensively during the months
when there is tire least flow of sap L intended to
have appended several enquiries for those who have
leisure and opportunity to observe, but have already
detained you too long.
Yours, &c,
JOHN B. WHITE.