US1846A - Improvement in the mode of protecting trees from the canker-worm - Google Patents

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' Massachusetts, have invented new and useful UNTTan I STATES PATENT l" @Threat I i DANIEL NEVVHALL, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE 0F PROTECTING TREES FROM THE CANKER-WORM.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. L, dated October 3l, 1840.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL NEWHALL, of Lynn, in the county ot1 Essex and State of Improvements in Machinery for Destroying the Grubs from which the @anker-forms are Generated,of which the following is a specification.

These improvements, the principles thereof', the application ot' said principles by which the same may be distinguished from other inventions ot' a similar nature, together with such parts or combinations as Iclaim to be my invention, I have herein described and set forth, which description, taken in connection with the accom panyin g drawings herein referred to, forms my specification.

It has long been the desire ot' agriculturists to invent or procure some contrivance which shall effectually prevent the ascent of the tree by the grubs,77 so called, which deposit their eggs on the branches of trees, from which eggs the canker-worms are generated. lt is well known that the grub ascends the tree in the fall and spring, and that the process of incubation,by which the canker worms are formed, is matured early in the spring, so that the worms destroy the foliage and blossoms am prevent the formation ofthe fruit.

The apparatus now commonly used for destroying the grub consists of ametallic trough or canal which surrounds the trunk of the tree, in which trough oil or any other liquid which is deleterious to the grub, and which will not evaporate, is placed,and inendeavoring to pass through which itis destroyed. Theobjection to this is that the wind blows out the oil, and the water which falls during rain-storms collects in the troughs and displaccs the same, and then evaporating leaves the canal dry, and the ascent ot' the grubis no longer prevented. The leaves, bark, Sto., from the tree, as well as the grubs which have been destroyed, are also liable to collect in the trough and form a bridge, as it were, i'or the passage of the grub. To remedy these several objections a root has sometimes been attached to the canal, leaving sufcient space between the trough and the lower edge ofthe roofforthe removalofanyleaves, Sto., which may enter. The

existence of this space renders such an apparatus defective iu the same points as those l previously mentioned; and to eftectually obvin ate these objections is the vpurpose of my invention.

Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying plate of drawings represent my invention, Fig. l being' an elevation; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of the same attached to a tree.

The metallic trough or canal A, in which the oil is' placed, when passed around the tree and soldered together, is shaped as seen in Fig. 2, and is somewhat larger in diameter than the trunk ofthe tree B to allow for the growth ofthe same, and is secured to the tree by nails or otherwise, the space between the bottom ofthe trough and the tree being tilled with clay or any proper cement, and that between the inside of the canal and tree by blocks or billets of wood, which may be diminishedin size as the increase of the trunk requires such diminution.

Arooforcasing,a.bcd,which completelyincloses the canal,is connected at its top to the trunk of the tree at a point considerably higher than the top of the trough. This roof is connected to the tree by means of a square wooden framework, c f g h, Fig. 3, the exterior of the same being beveled, so as to canse the sides of the casing to be divergent, as shown in the gures, the spaces between theinside or" the frame and the tree being filled with chips or blocks of wood. The top of the roof is covered with cement, over which a coating ot' tar or pitch is laid, if necessary, the roof having sufficient inclination on the top to cause the rain to pass oft'. Two ofthe diverging sides-viz., a and care constructed in two parts each, which' are prepared with suitable hinges, M i i, so that the lower parts may be raised or lowered in order to inspect the canal and remedy any defect therein. These sides, when required, may be fastened down by means of hooks and otherwise, as shown at lc k. It will also be observed that the sides ofthe casing or root' project downward below the bottom of the canal, so as to effectually protect the same and prevent any rain,leaves, or other substances from falling or getting into the trough, which,as has already been obscrved,destroys the utility ofthe apparatus.

It should be particularly noticed that the roof and trough are entirely disconnected and at a considerable distance from each other,

which cffectually prevents the grub from passin combination with a metallic trough foroilor ing from one to the other, by doing which it other liquids suited to the object, the whole would be enabled to ascend the tree. being arranged substantially in the manner The material of which the parts of lny apand for the purposes above set forth.

paratus are constructed, as Well as the form of In testimony that the foregoing is a true dethe same, may be varied to suit the pleasure of scription of my said invention and improvethe manufacturer. ment I have hereto set my signature this 22d Having thus described my improvements, I day of August, 1840. claim as my invention- DANIEL NEWHALD A roof or casing constructed substantially as above described-viz., with sides projecting Witnesses: below the bottom of the trough, two of which R. H. EDDY, sides are movable or capable of being raised, EZRA LINCOLN, Jr.

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