Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1876 — Commence War with Borers. [ARTICLE]

Commence War with Borers.

As soon as the growing season commences every person who owns a fruit tree should draw back the soil from the tree, sweep of the dirt, and search for borers in the bark near the ground. If there 1b a borer at work one can readily see the litter that is being worked out of the holes. Trees should be examined several times during the growing season, and every borer should be thrust through with a sharp-pointed blade. That class of insects usually called by horticulturists the borers, are far more injurious than our farmers imagine. In riding over the country, and noticing the large number of sickly young orchards that may be traced directly to this source, it is to be regretted that the owners of all such diseased trees do not at once apply the infalli ble method of cutting them out before the orchards become entirely useless. Ignorance of the true cause has much to do with it, as we find the worst cases, as a general rule, in sections of country where “ book-farming” is at & discount. Borers begin upon the young tree as soon as planted in the orchard, and of course before the tent caterpillar and coddling moth are ready for the work of destruction. By examining close to the surface of the ground, or in many cases just below, we can readily detect a hole surrounded by the borings ot the grub. If the borer has penetrated too far to be cut out without injury to the tree, it is advisable to insert a stout wire and punch the tenant to death. Borne recommend placing a small piece ofcamphor in the mouth of the cavity, and then plugging it up, but the preceding remedy will be found more effectual. Should this course be adopted regularly eveiy spring and autumn we shall not see many half-starved looking young orchards, and shall hear less complaints that apples are degenerating from the good old times. — N. Y. Herald.