1870.] CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 11 



The diseases to which the Plum is subject are only two, so far as 

 we have been able to ascertain — viz., canker and gum. The former 

 of these is generally the result of a wet and uncongenial climate ; the 

 latter is generally caused by wounds made by the rubbing of wall 

 nails, or injury to the bark by the breaking and bruising of it by the 

 hammer, or by being cut by string, shreds, or suchlike, and then 

 neglected. If these things be regularly attended to, and the soil and 

 climate prove to be at all congenial, there is little danger to be dreaded 

 from either of these diseases until the trees advance into old age. 



The insect enemies of the Plum are not nearly so numerous in this 

 country as on the Continent, and more especially in America, where it 

 is said " their attacks are so formidable as almost to discourage its 

 cultivation in some parts of the United States." The most common 

 enemies of the Plum in this country are black and green aphides, 

 thrip, and red -spider. As I have already given recipes for the 

 destruction of these, in the articles on the Apple and Pear, it is not 

 necessary to reproduce them here. The curculio tenebricosus, or 

 apricot weevil, as it is sometimes called, is frequently injurious to the 

 Plum in old gardens. In winter it is generally to be found in the old 

 nail-holes or crevices of the wall, where they lodge in numbers. The 

 best way to get rid of them is to get the walls freshly pointed, so as to 

 bury them over with the mortar, from whence they cannot escape. 

 They are also to be found under the loose bark of the tree, when bark 

 and all should be removed and burnt. After this the tree may be 

 washed down with hot water, and a portion of the soil removed and 

 burnt, so that those which may have fallen to the ground may be 

 destroyed. 



Tortrix Woeberiana is a small brown moth which often proves 

 very injurious to the Plum, and is not unfrequently the cause of 

 gum exuding. It penetrates to the inner bark when in its caterpillar 

 form, and feeds thereon. From the wound made the sap escapes, and 

 the result is often the formation of gum. Their presence is easily 

 ascertained by the appearance on the larger branches and trunk of a 

 reddish dust. Where this is deposited, the enemy is sure to be at 

 work. By thrusting a needle into the holes made on the branches 

 the grub will be destroyed, and painting the branches with a solu- 

 tion of lime in May and September has been recommended for de- 

 stroying the eggs. 



Tenthredo morio, or Plum saw-fly, is destructive to both fruit and 

 flowers, depositing its eggs upon the calyx of the latter ; while the 

 larva, as soon as hatched, penetrates into the interior of the fruit, and, 

 feeding thereon, causes it to fall off, after which it buries itself in the 



