G70 THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



propensity to use a jackknife. My trees are mostly grafted on to suckers of the native or 

 wild plum, near or at the surface of the ground. The scions take well in such stocks, and 

 grow strong, frequently from four to seven feet in a season. In the ipring of the first year, 

 I cut hack to two or two and a-half feet, and UU>h spring following from one-third to seven- 

 eighths of the last year's growth. This causes them to grow stocky, with low, bushy heads, 

 and t" Bel thickly with fruit-spurs. I have trees in different variet il: BOmt in cul- 



tivate 1. some in grass land. All do well. I manure with what is most convenient, without 

 regard to kind or quantity. 



The great enemy of the plum-tree is the Mack knot. Now comes the grand question — 

 Black knot, what is it? Is it a disease or the work of an insect? I will endeavor to 

 answer these cpnestions according to my observations. I consider it to be the work of an 

 insect, with which I have no personal acquaintance except in the maggot state. 



Prom frequent observation, combined with practice, I find that June is the linn to look 

 for the enemy. There are no black knots then of this year's growth, but simply swellings 

 upon the branches. Now use your jackkoife, and you are sure of your foe. When these 

 swellings first commence, so as easily to be (bund, the insect is the exact color of the excres- 

 cence, and so small as usually to escape detection. Nevertheless he is there. From the 

 middle of June to the 1st of July they are easily found, generally two in a knot, varying 

 from one-twentieth to three-eighths of an inch in length — the largest, in the mean time, are 

 leaving their cells. I have found them near by, sheltered by the rough bark, covering 

 themselves with a thin silk-like web. To all who wish to raise plums, I would say. hire lies 

 the secret. Cut green knots instead of black ones; By following this practice, I have 

 succeeded in raising very tine trees — not a black knot is ever seen on them. A swelling is 

 Occasionally found, but it is taken in time to secure the maggot. By this meant -"C-ts 



are reduced to that degree that my trees never suffer thereby. I have trees from four to 

 six years from the graft, from eight to ten feet high, with large, spreading beads, bearing 

 the first season from one to more than two bushels per tree of most splendid fruit. 



In regard to the curculio, the following is my experience: Among all tin' remedies here- 

 tofore published, only one has secured the design intended. I do not say that most or any 

 of them :iic " humbugs," but that the cureulio is a "hum-bug" in spite of them. I have 

 tested, and I think fairly, lime, ashes, plaster, sulphur, cotton — all without avail. I do not 

 doubt the sincerity of those giving the above remedies, but think they must bare Keen 

 deceived; that the curculio Was not there at all, or in numbers so small as not seriously to 

 effect damage. It requires but little observation to convince any one that insects of all 

 descriptions migrate from place to place, overrunning one vicinity, and vacating another in 

 Close proximity, or oven one or more trees of a garden, while others are not Infested nt 

 all. I know not what anyone has, or what else may be, discovered, but so far with Bit 

 jarring U the only remedy that has ha<l the desired effect. Either the cureulio here is not 



live or not so well iiehaved as iii other placet, tor he seem- determined to yield to 

 nothing but death. Therefore I would advise those who wish to be sure of their plums, to 

 commence as soon as they are fairly set, jarring on to sheets, and killing, once a day (at 

 noon) for two weeks. This has with me secured ■ bountiful crop. 



At b recenl meeting of the New York Farmers' <'iui>. Prof. Mapet stated thai he practised 

 this year jarring oti the plums In the early pari of the leason that were bitten, all of which 

 were burned ; and thui he so far destroy ed the cureulio thai he has had large quantities of 

 the fnie-t plums. 



]>r. I'li'lerhill stated, that he planted his plum-trees in such a manner that the] hang 



■ water, and was not troubled with cureulio in the slightest degree "Upon 160 trees 



tho . ] have lover |..un<l a single curculio. The trees are set in the Link of nn 



artificial pond, at an angle of t"i°." 



I »r. Dnderhil] further Stated, that his plan to get rid of the trouble of caterpillar- •• i- to cut 



down every wild cherry-tree aboul my place. Some preserve these tr< the worm 



l.ree.l upon. It li all error. Tiny are the great breeding plaett Of all caterpillars that are 



active to fruit. My opinion Is, thai every v\iM cherry-tree should be exterminated." 



Mr. Henry < i !t, of the Toronto Horticultural Society, recommends the use of sulphu- 



