Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1860-09-11
NO. 81.
The Borer aud Crooked Apple Trees.

4 correspondent OF the Ohio Cuitira-
tor says;
Il have observed tha, mss, OF the
young orchards planted Ia TINS part OF
the sgte are much injured by the berer.
aud have myself lost a hundred trees
by them aud have several more tha, are
50 much damaged that th.y are not or,h
+ preserving. In my observations. :ehich
have extended over more than thons-
and young trees. | ind tie following
+ facts:
|. The horer begins shis ravages on
the southwest side OF the trees. Ia this
I and your correspondent agree.
,. livery tree damaged by The borer
IS either crooked, or leans towards ih4
northeast,
,. Every tree damaged BY The borer
furnishes unmis:akabl- evidence Of hav-
ing been damaged before the borer be-
gan lis work.
How can these facts be explained -
My explanation is this: livery one Is
familiar with the fac, tha; if any given
surface be 50 adjusted that the suns rays
will fall al right angles upon it. that sur
I face VIII become hotter than a similar
surface 50 arranged that the suns rays
fall upon II obliquely. The sun shines
hotties; from noon 10 three O'Clock, =. NJ
Al o'clock, Il. N If tree lean few
degrees 10 the northeast. the rays of tho
sun will fall at right angles upon The
southwest side OF It. If tree be crook
ed, portions OF its body will be IN the
same condition. | have found that TN,
intense heat loosens portions OF the bark;
tAuse looscaed portions in Il few day, dry
and split open, and Ia these openings the
eggs which produce the borer, are depos-
lied, and there they are hatched ty the
same intense heat 10 which they are in
dehied for their house. A $ soon as they
are matched they begin their deprcda-
lions upon the nearest green p..slea of
the tree.
Ny object IS only 10 give the results Q:
my wn observation and ts lncIte others
10 investigate thIs subject. II | a,n right
IN my nouons OF the first cause OF The
mischief, the whole trouble can be pre-
vented by planting none tut straight
trees, and keeping them IN n perpeudic-
u!ar position, or slightly inclined 10 the
southwest. la this country mos. Of the
winds blow from the southwest, and tins
gives young trees, ia all exposed stun
tiOus, i set towards the northeast This
should b; guarded against by planting
strong stake on the southwest side of the
tree, and fastening II 10 the stakes.
1t IS we'll known tha, rough faces, OF
dark color. become hotter IN Jhe sun than
smoother ones Of light or green color.
Trees may be sometimes damaged by
the suns heat, by allowing the bark to
become rough and black Thl, can BE-
prevented ty rubbing with a rough clo.h
saturated Ia weak lye or soapsuIs.
am inclined to The opis!on tina, tho
bark Oh trees is sometimes ioosencd in
spots, or spin open, in winter. while tho
air IS 50 cold that the south side Is sud
denly warmed up by the sun in the af-
ternoon. Bat | have little doubt the
trouble is mainly tracable to the summer
sunshine.
These views suggest that trees should
/ toe allowed to put out their top, as hear
The ground as possible. They nre les,
/ liable 20 be blown out Of their proper ps-
s!uon by the winds, and the branches will
shade the body 50 as to break .ha power
I Of the san > heat.