PLUMS. G.-} 



combat successfully the enemies of the plum we must know something 

 of their habits and mode of attack. 



The curculio is a small dark grayish insect about one-fourth inch 

 long with prominent snout, with which he punctures the fruit or leaves. 

 The adult curculio emerges from the ground leaves when trees bloom 

 and young plums commence to attain size. Then the female curculio 

 deposits eggs in the small plum. In about three weeks the eggs hatch 

 and the grub eats into the plum. By the time he is full grown the plum 

 is prematurely ripened and falls to the ground. Then the grub comes out 

 of the plum and hides under old dead leaves, trash, or goes into the 

 ground to complete the next cycle of its existence. When next he emerges 

 he is full grown curculio and ready to feed on leaves and fruit not yet 

 ripened, until winter drives him into the ground again. In order to suc- 

 cessfully fight the curculio we clean up our orchards thoroughly, prune 

 tiiem so they may be easily sprayed, and let the sun shine into the trees. 



Before going further I will give a brief description of the working of 

 the fruit-rot of monillia. The spores live over the winter on dead leaves, 

 body of trees, and dried up fruits left hanging on trees. These spores 

 do not show any signs of life until warm weather in summer. Then when 

 a warm wet spell comes and plums are about half or two-thirds grown 

 the spores get busy. Possibly the wind or some insect has carried the 

 spore and left it clinging to the skin of the plum where there is a bruise 

 or puncture. Then the warm wet weather starts the spores to growing. 

 This is what we call fruit-i'ot. 



In our preliminary treatment for curculio we must remove all trash 

 and brush from orchard after pruning, and then thoroughly cultivate the 

 ground. We should endeavor to stir the entire surface to a depth of sev- 

 eral inches. Thoro cultivation should be continued at intervals of ten 

 days during the season until about August 1. This frequent stirring of 

 the soil prevents the curculio from hiding in the ground and also desti'oys 

 a good many grubs. In controlling the fruit-rot, in addition to the treat- 

 ment for curculio we must be sure that all dried mummies of plums left 

 on the trees over winter should be removed and destroyed. While the 

 trees are dormant give a thoro spraying with lime-sulphur, 1 gallon to 

 11 gallons of water. This is a very important spraying, and bodies of 

 trees should be thoroly covered. Then just after the first leaves come 

 out and before the blossoms open, spray with arsenate of lead, 2 pounds 

 to 50 gallons of water. Immediately after the blossoms fall, spray with 

 combined spray, using lime-sulphur 1 to 50 and arsenate of lead 2\^ 

 pounds to 50 gallons of water. Follow this at intervals of ten days until 

 plums are over half grown. At this time a lime-sulphur spray of 1 to 50 

 strength should be applied. This application will usually be in time to 

 prevent the spores of the fruit-rot getting a start. The main object in 

 all the spraying is to keep the fruit and foliage covered with poison and 

 fungicide so that the curculio can not feed without getting some of the 

 poison and the spores of the fruit-rot have no place to grow. In addition 



