Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-08-10
AgrtrulturaI.
From The Massachusetts Plopman.
The Apple-tree BOrer,

We again call the attention of our read
ers 10 one Of the depredators on the trunk
of the apple tree. This fly hovers about
apple trees in the fore part Of July. She
flies from tree TO tree in the evening. She
alights on the body aud desceuds TO the
earth on the body of the tree, unless she
happens to find convenien, place in some
cavity or wound in the limbs in which to
lay her eggs.
The worms are usually found near the
surface Of the earth, on the body Of the tree
where the bark is tender, and where the
worms can easily effect an entrance. The
flies are fond Of selecting trees that arc not
attended TO by the owner-trees that have
sprouts growing around their roots, or thick
grass that keeps the bark moist and tender,
aud fit for the young worms 10 pcrforate aud
find home
These worms enter this summer and bu-
~ themselves under the bark. They grow
TO the length Of one fourth of an inch be-
fore winter, and il the trunks of the trees
are washed with a strong Icy, before the
,cormS bury themselves under the bark, il is
fatal to them, and TO the eggs before they
are hatched. July is good time to wash
the trunks with ley when the object is to
kill these worms.
If the worms are not destroyed they bore
into The tree, and remain there abou, two
years. They come out about the first of
July, just at the time when they have come
10 their full growth as worms. They re-
main in the hole which ttry have bored
through to the bark, eight or ten inches
above the ground, till their wings are form
ed, when they emerge from their bunow
and use their wings 10 enable them TO extend
their colonies.
Probably thousands Of the eggs and
young borcrs are destroyed for want Of abil-
iiy to make Judgment in suitable place
Orchardists should take care that no suit
able places shall be found on their trees
IL they do no more, they should pile up sand
enough around the trunks TO cover all the
grass and weeds that surround them and
make convenient shelters for these depre-
dalors. There is nothing they like better
than secret shelters where they are not like
ly to be disturbed.
Before we commenced the publication Of
q journal, il was the practice of orchard
lists near this city to attempt 10 rid their
trees OF the borer by means Of little gou-
ges and narrow chisels. But these were
insufficient, as the worms could not always
be found, and the wounds made by the
chsel were sometimes worse than those
made by the worms. We believe the prac-
tice OF searching for the worms after they
have entered the tree is now wholly aban.
doned. The habits Of the fly and worm
are now made so plain and generally
known that the remedies which we have
often recommended are preferred to cutting
q tree.
We are under much obligation TO DR..
Harris Of Cambridge University for his aid
in showing the nature and habits Of the
Apple tree Borer. TO the Doctor we are
indebted for adrawing of the fly from which
we procured wood cut. To the Hon,
William Jackson also we are indebted for
assistance in tracing out the course Of this
destructive worm.
In foul days in July farmers may exam
ing their trees for themselves. Before the
month is out they may see where the young
worms are beginning 10 bore. They are
found by their chips. The worms are
white, with brown heads. The eggs found
on the body Of the tree are ten in nest
They are the size Of brass pins head, and
are ranged in this form Q g SIS
n II