TUE CUECULIO. 



lo do so by nailing to the wall, dirtntly under the youngest tendrils, a strij) of an old 

 clotb coat. To this the ivy attaches itself, aud having u Jinn hold, it will sometimes 

 continue to cling where otherwise it would entirely refuse its courted eflbrts. 



To all who are not too far north to em})loy this beautiful vine — the most beautiful 

 we have, when its endurance and age, with its exquisite green at all seasons, in doors 

 or out, is considered — we say plant the Giant or Irish Ivy ; and if too far north for 

 winter exposure, treat it to a box, as we have recommended, and winter it in your 

 liviuc: room. 



THE CURCULIO. 



BY JAMES MATUEWS, COSnOCTON, OHIO. 



I Kxow of no one subject connected with fruit culture of more importance to us west- 

 ern people than this. There is no malady or cause existing here that would prevent 

 our having a full crop of that delicious fruit the plum almost every year, were it not 

 for this pestiferous insect. Is it possible that we are to have no remedy ? Must we 

 fell all our plum, apricot, and nectarine trees, to prevent the increase of this little 

 wretch to such an extent that he will destroy our other fruits, which is now the case 

 to a considerable degi'ee in many locations ? I hope this great calamity may, through 

 the ingenuity and skill of some one, be averted by the timely discovery of a remedy 

 that will cost less than the fruit is worth. The shaking of the trees upon sheets, the 

 only sure means of saving the crop yet discovered, with me takes an amount of labor 

 and time fully equal to the value of the crop ; so that its discovery may, as far as my 

 experience goes, be considered of no value or utility to community. To save the 

 majority of the fruit on half a dozen trees in my garden, by this means, requires the la- 

 bor of a hand one hour and a half every morning and evening for a period of six weeks. 

 At ten hours for a day's work, this would amount to over twelve days ; (recollect 

 there are to be no Sundays during this time ; if so, your crop is gone ; ) which, at Yo 

 cents a day, would amount to 89 ; saying nothing about boarding a hand for two 

 weeks, which would be at least $3 more. The trees upon which I made my experi- 

 ments will not average over one bushel of fruit each. It will be seen, then, that by 

 this process of preserving the fruit, it would cost about 82 per bushel, which I think 

 is quite as much as it would bring in our market, at least after deducting labor of 

 picking and carrying. 



I have tried many of the published experiments beside this, such as chickens, pigs, 

 lime, salt, &e., &c., all of which have entirely fail-ed. Connected, however, with an 

 application of a solution of lime and sulphur to tlw tops, niaile with a syringe, during 

 the past season, I made an accidental discovery which I think worthy of note, and 

 which may lead to some beneficial results. I had read communications from several 

 persons who had been successful with the sulphur and lime application. I determined 

 last spring to try it ; and as soon as the plums were fairly shaped, and before the 

 curculio commenced his destruction, I prepared the solution, went to work vigorously, 



El^ 



