2362. Grubs, which occasion disease, may be prevented by coating the roots and lower trunk, about July 1, with tar, train oil, or whitewash, and sprinkling a little lime, ashes, or soap-suds, on the ground around the tree. When seriously affected, dig the earth from the roots near the surface, and search thoroughly in the bark for the grub; cleanse off the gum, &c., wash with ley or soap-suds, or rub dry ashes over them, and close up with good fresh earth. Doing this as occasion requires, will ensure health and vigor.
2363. Slugs and Snails are great enemies to every kind of garden-plant, whether flower or vegetable; they wander in the night to feed, and return at daylight to their haunts; the shortest and surest direction is, "Rise early, catch them, and kill them."—(See [p. 281].)
2364. Another way.—Lay cabbage leaves about the ground, especially on the beds which they frequent. Every morning examine these leaves, and you will find a great many taking refuge beneath.
2365. Caterpillars and Aphides.—A garden syringe or engine, with a cap on the pipe full of very minute holes, will wash away these disagreeable visitors very quickly. You must bring the pipe close to the plant, and pump hard, so as to have considerable force on, and the plant, however badly infested, will soon be cleared without receiving any injury.—(See [p. 277].)
2366. Rake the Earth.—Every time that you use the syringe or garden-engine, you must immediately rake the earth under the trees, and kill the insects you have dislodged, or many will recover and climb up the stems of the plants.