vours the whole ſubſtance, rendering the joint like a tube: after which, it works into another joint, which it conſumes in like manner; and continuing its progreſs, at length deſtroys the whole cane.
The devaſtation which theſe worms make in a field of canes in a ſhort time is aſtoniſhing; and although ſeveral methods have been tried to deſtroy them, yet none have been ſucceſsful. If care was taken when the canes were young, on the firſt appearance of the borer among them, to rub their ſtems and leaves with a preparation of lime-water, or ſalt brine, mixed with ſoot and maſhed pods of Guinea pepper, perhaps they might be deſtroyed; as by ſprinkling ſome of this mixture on thoſe worms it will inſtantly kill them.
Ants are great enemies to the borer when they can get at them, but they are much prevented by its excrement, which being like filings of wood, and of a gluey conſiſtence,
