140 TEA]SiS ACTIONS OF THE ILLIMOiS 



have a mallet, and we strike that on the tree and the jar is sufficient. 

 We secure, every year, fine crops of plums. The principle is just the 

 same as that practiced by Dr. Hull, except that we use a sheet spread 

 upon the ground, and a mallet. The man takes a pail of Avater to put 

 the curculios in. There is a slit in the sheet, so that it can be put 

 around the tree. When he has done with one tree, he gathers the 

 sheet up and goes to the next one. We have two hundred trees 

 altogether, and he goes over them every morning. We never fail 

 except when it is raining. The trees are pretty old trees but not 

 very large; they are from 12 to 15 inches diameter. They are the 

 oldest orchards we have. 



Dr. Hull — State how long the curculio season lasts in your region ; 

 that is, how long are you obliged to operate ? 



Mr. Barr}^ — I could not sa3\ Our man who attends to that could tell 

 you. Unless he is sick he attends to it every morning. 



Mr. Barler — What time does he finish it? 



Mr. Barrj- — I think in about two hours. 



Mr. Murtfeldt — Have j^ou made any estimate of the cost of plums 

 when you get them ? 



Mr. Barry — I know we should not get any plums without such 

 investment. 



Mr. Murtfeldt — Would it be worth while for a private individual to 

 do that ? 



Mr. Barry — If he valued them it would. He ought not to have them 

 if he would not give them attention. A man not willing to enter into 

 these details will never succeed. Thej- are not very troublesome on the 

 peach, but they attack all the fruits we have, more or less. I have seen 

 their marks on pears, apples, peaches, etc., but thej^ are only trouble- 

 some on the apricots, nectarines and plums — these smooth-skinned fruits. 



Mr. Riley — If your orchard were ten times as large, could not you 

 expedite your operations b}^ putting your sheet on a frame ? 



Mr. Barry — Yes sir ; and I have been looking over this in the plans 

 of the DoGtor. 



Mr. Earle — I see the statement made by Mr. Barrj^ impresses gentle- 



