93 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



in heart and soul, because one man gave good and wholesome training, as to say 

 that insects could be kept at bay without concert of action. Suppose one farmer 

 in a community instils into the lives of his children correct moral principles, 

 will that insure the safety of his apples and melons? To be sure his property 

 would be safer even for this wisdom. No more can the codling moth or curculio 

 be exterminated by one man, though his own persistent action would benefit 

 himseK and even his neighbors. No ; the means must be generally made known to 

 all our farmers and fruit-growers, and then all must be fired with such zeal that 

 practice may keep pace with knowledge. 



But have we any results that show that such a course will bring us respite 

 from these thousand ills which waylay us on every hand? I am mo*t happy to 

 state that such are by no means isolated. 



It was found by our fruit men of the peach-belt that unless the i)each-borer 

 was fought to the knife, this important interest w^ould prove a failure. The 

 trees would all be speedily killed. It was a case of life and death. Sluggish 

 humanity woke up. Everybody rushed to the fight, and the beautiful peach 

 orchards flourished. Nov.- for tbe sequel : The peach men now tell us that this 

 enemy gives very little trouble. In the same region the curculio, which had utterly 

 whipped us out in plum culture, driving us from the field and taking undis- 

 turbed possession, came all undaunted, flushed with success, and cried surren- 

 der to the peach men. The latter, armed with chips, mallets, one and two- 

 wdieeled artillery, soon brought the little Turks down. '' That bright dream was 

 their last;" and now the fruit men tell us they have no fears of the curculio, 

 and more, that these little snout beetles are yearly gro^ang less. Dr. Trimble 

 and a live farmer's club so aroused the people of Vinelaud, New Jersey, to action 

 that the fruit and region have gained a high reputation as being void of insects. 

 The old mission people up on that favored peninsula at Traverse demand, and, 

 I understand, enforce their edict that all shall enlist in the insect battle. If 

 such action does not attract a society worthy their climate, soil, and position, then 

 the future cannot be judged by the past. In fact, the whole lake shore is giving 

 US lessons on this subject, for which she deserves a hearty vote of thanks. Had 

 I time I could give many other examples, both from home and abroad, that 

 fully sustain the position that real, earziest, persistent effort, and that, too, right 

 in the line of the fullest pocket, — the best financial jirosperity, — is all that is 

 required to rid us of those foes that require so large a share of our gains, and 

 often make us look sad and discouraged in view of our prospects. 



That our jiomologists may have the loss excuse for that unpardonable neglect 

 that robs themselves and curses their neighbors, I propose to give directions for 

 the care and management of our various orchards, pruned of all matter foreign 

 to the subject, from the standpoint of Economic Entomology, the course of 

 procedure for the year which is demanded by the best success. First, then, I 

 will give directions for the treatment of 



The Apple Orchard. 



Nothing is more essential — and this will apply to all orchards — than to keep 

 the trees vigorous. It is the feeble frame that is most susceptible to disease, and 

 that first siiccumbs ; hence thorough and persistent culture, and suitable and 

 sufficient fertilizers, should never be neglected. The seeding down, especially of 

 young, growing orchards, is sure to be followed by a raid from the most destruc- 

 tive insects. Neglect or overcropping will end in the same misfortune. 



Before the middle of May the rough bark should all be carefully scraped from 



