Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/40

22&#93; 2 2~I coc min can only be eradicated, by scooping them out, cutting off every irregular prominence, scrap- ing off all loose scales from the bark, and then covering it with Mr. Forsyth's composition, which will not only defend it against their devastations, but, by bringing on a smooth, clean bark, will admit of its being washed and cleaned after- wards, without difficulty. This process will preserve the tree, both from the depredations of these in- sects, and from those of many others, which shelter themselves in the inequalities of a rough bark, and will at the same time give it additional health and vigour. See voi. i. p. S8. 3. The Peach Coccus, which Dr. Anderson calls gall-nut, setdes only on the twigs of peach-trees, where it deposits innumerable eggs. T :ese may be eradicated by care- fully brushing the twigs, in the spring, with a hard brush, in the direction of the buds ; by which simple means many of them may be detached, and their numbers greatly reduced. Where the in- serts are very close together at the points of the twigs, the latter may be cut off, and carried out of the garden; for,if thrown on the ground, " the former will re-ascend. But, if they are exceedingly numerous, all the young trees may even be lopped, especially if Mr. Forsyth's plaster be applied to the wounds^ Although, by this operation, the fruit will be lost for that season, yet the tree will acquire considerable strength, and be in the finest order next year. Notwithstanding all these precautions, it will be necessary to examine the tree, with the utmost attention, towards the end of April, or beginning of May : for, at that 6eason, the female vermin attain COC their full growth, so as to be easily perceptible; when each of them should be carefully detached from the branch to which it adheres, by means of a blunt knife with a very thin blade; then deposited in a ves- sel, and removed from the garden. Naturalists have computed, that the generation of 3000 insects will be prevented by the destruction of each female gall-nut, so that great progress may be made in a very short time. Thus, if that necessary operation be performed with care, very few will escape; and if the eggs also be properly extirpated, all future trouble respecting this insect will be effectually obviated. 4. The Coccus Piialaridis. which is found on the phalaris or canary-, grass, and is originally a native of the Canary Islands, but has become naturalized. 5. The Coccus Cacii, or cochi- neal insect, which is a native of the warmer parts of America. — > See Cochineal. 6. The Coccus Ilicls, or kermes, which inhabits a species of oak, call- ed quercus coccij'cnt, and is a na- tive of the southern parts of Eu- rope. — It is used in dyeing a deep red colour. 7- The Coccus Lacca, or gum- lac animal, a native of the East Indies. — See Gum-lac. 8. The Coccus Polonicus, or scarlet grain of Poland, is found there in great abundance on the roots of the polygonum cocc'ij'erum. It is also called the cochineal of the north ; as, contrary to the nature of the American insect, it thrives only in cold climates. It is collected for the use of dyers ; though it yields not only smaller crops, and is gathered with more difficulty,, but die drug also is much inferior to the true cochineal,