302 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



the consequent conflicting opinions entertained in regard to them. 

 Therefore we have faith to believe that any and all of them are good 

 and may be used to great advantage, and that a little effort and 

 labor will enable us to secure a regular and abundant supply of 

 this native fruit. 



But little aid in the work of protection or destruction can be 

 expected from natural agencies. The beetles are tenacious of life 

 and are little affected by climatic conditions. Their parasite ene- 

 mies are few, and can do but little to diminish their numbers. 

 Chickens and hogs, when confined under the trees, will destroy 

 many in the larval state, and if the number of trees is small, and 

 they are so situated as not to be continually restocked from other 

 trees near by, and if the range is limited, and the number of 

 chickens and pigs is large, a gooi crop of fruit may sometimes 

 be obtained by their help alone, but generally, unless other means 

 are used, enough of the beetles will escape to secure the destruc- 

 tion of the crop from year to year. When the bulk of the insects 

 are destroyed by artificial means, then these animals will do most 

 effective service as gleaners. 



We have, as stated before, thus grouped together these old facts 

 and remedies in the hope that some might be led to declare war 

 against the "Little Turk," and by their victories encourage others 

 to enter the contest, so that, at least, the number of the foe will 

 be so reduced that his natural enemies can hold him in check. 

 Much may be done by individual efforts, but the labor would be 

 greatly lessened by concerted action. With farmers generally, the 

 excuse given for neglecting the destruction of these insect foes is 

 want of time, but it is better and will be cheaper to cultivate less, 

 and by giving the necessary care, realize the best possible results 

 from what they do. Some of these methods for the destruction 

 of the Curculio can be intrusted to children, and if a stimulus in 

 the way of reward were given, their interest would be aroused. 

 Local societies or neighbors interested have offered bounties for 

 the largest number of beetles captured, or so much per hundred, 

 and have thus secured the destruction of a large number and 

 saved their fruit. When the labor and expense connected with 



