I drew attention carefully in my first official report at the Royal Agricultural Society of England (when the Committee began again in November) to the need of caution [in connection with Codlin moth prevention] as to the adulteration that there might be in so-called cart grease, and also to the success of the plan of before greasing putting paper round the trees. On the first glance it might seem doubtful whether papering was not one of the “study” applications which there are too many of, but it answers so well, that at the great Toddington Fruit Grounds the managers told me they were treating 120,000 trees in this way. The paper is what is used by grocers as “grease proof.” It is passed in a broad band round the tree, and the overlapping ends fastened by paste and a band of bass mat or anything of that kind tied round to make sure of all being firm, and on this the “grease” is spread with a thin bit of wood—a sort of paper knife in fact. This kind of paper would, I should conjecture, be more certain to prevent the grease, &c., soaking into the tree than cloth. I have lately received copies of analyses of two or three kinds of cart grease which prove (in one case) to consist of grease and tar oils mixed with water and sulphate of lime. This did harm. Another consisted mainly of rosin oil, &c., mixed with a little carbonate of lime. This, I believe, answered quite well. I do not know how better to guard against mishaps than by starting the very earliest intelligence of important points round the newspapers as soon as ever I can; but you will believe me it is difficult to meet all sides. A Kentish correspondent wrote me that he was preparing his trees for dressing by cutting all the old bark off and then was going to tar on the fresh surface! If you would mention to your correspondent that my report of this month is in the “Agricultural Gazette” for November 18th, and that he would find some special cautions about grease-banding at p. 501, column 1, I think he might be interested, but if he cares to write to me on the subject I would gladly reply, or I would with pleasure explain any point to you that you would care to have details of.
In the second edition of my Manual, which I am doing all I properly can to get time to start through press, I hope to give the very valuable practical teaching of the last two years about orchard insect pest prevention, and I hope to be able to add good results of a special (very cheap and very nasty) kind of fumigation we are going to try next spring.
P.S.—Do you see how the “I.L.N. Almanac” has been helping itself to John Curtis’ figures and mine—and then giving the credit to Mr. Jabez Hogg? I have had a little representation to make to the editor, and an erratum slip is to be added to all unissued copies.
January 21, 1890.
We expect Professor Harker here at the end of the week. Most likely he will come on here after his lecture at the Royal Veterinary College, at 4 p.m. on Friday next, and stay till Saturday, so we can bestow our best attention on affairs. I wish I saw a more hopeful state of things in (or for) the various matters [connected with entomological appointments].
Your letter came a few minutes after Professor Fream’s arrival, and we said nothing about the lectures on Entomology in Edinburgh, but I told him how affairs were standing about the Board of Agriculture, and that I had recommended Professor Harker in case an entomologist was wanted. He was very pleasant. I have known him so long I always like a talk with him, and amongst other points we went over some special work about students’ entomological examinations, and he left the impression on my mind that he would convey the requisite kind of information for your proposed lectures very satisfactorily to the hearers.
February 14, 1890.
Some time ago, before I knew that your University Entomological Lectureship [Steven course] was in a sort of way private, I mentioned something about it to Mr. James Fletcher (Dominion entomologist), and he is delighted with the hoped-for advance. He says how very much, if circumstances had allowed, he should have liked to give the course. You would, indeed, have had “a feather in your cap” if you could have secured him.
What a sad loss we all have in Professor Little.
April 18, 1890.