52 
Mr. Racg.—I think the horse manure produces mildew by a condition in the atmos- 
phere arising from gases of some kind. 
Mr. Morris.—I think Mr. Morden is right, and that too much manure will induce 
an unhealthy growth; but ashes, un the other hand, while it produces a strong growth 
produces healthy wood. I have had a good deal of experience in the use of ashes and I 
think their use makes a strong, healthy bush, able to withstand the attacks of mildew. 
I know that a pear tree with ashes is not nearly so liable to blight as one with manure. 
Mr. Bucxr.—I think if Mr. Race had applied the manure ina rotten state the result 
would have been different. I have never yet succeeded in killing gooseberries with old, 
rotten manure. 
THE CURCULIO. 
Archdeacon McMurray.—Regarding the curculio, I was very anxious to know how 
long it would remain after the fruit falls from the tree, how long it would be before the 
young curculio makes its appearance. I asked the question and was told not more than 
four or five days. [I had no idea it would come out so quickly as that ; I thought a fort 
night or three weeks. 
Mr. Bittups.—In reference to the curculio leaving plums, I find that under various 
circumstances they leave at different times. I have noticed that in mild, warm, still days 
the plum does not generally fall until relieved. In that case the curculio leaves sooner 
than if the plum had been blown off by a storm, in which case it remains for some time, 
{ would like to know if anyone who has studied the matter can tell definitely the average 
time the larva takes, after the plum has fallen, before it enters the ground. 
The Secretary.—I do not think anyone present can answer that. 
Mr. Bittups.—I think it is one of the few things Prof. Saunders has failed to men- 
tion. I think if farmers would only take the trouble to gather the fallen plums at inter- 
vals of two or three days and destroying them it would do much good not only with plums 
but with cherries. I have found in several instances this summer that over 90 per cent. 
of the cherries have been bitten by the curculio. 
The Secretary.—I have been experimenting with hellebore in water and spraying 
cherry and plum trees, part of them with it and part with Paris green, and I[ am certain 
I had better results with the hellebore than with the Paris green, that is from one sea- 
zon’s experience. The proportions were the same as we used for the currant worm. The 
cherry trees upon which I tried it are free from curculio, but unfortunately they are 
rotting badly. 
Mr. Bittures.—The use of Paris green is very unsatisfactory indeed. I have never 
seen any experiments with hellebore, but I do not think it could well be less satisfactory 
than Paris green. The dose of Paris green people here use is a teaspoonful to five quart 
pails. I think that it is a very heavy dose, and though, in my experience it has not 
injured the foliage at all it is not at all satisfactory. 
The Secretary.—I think one reason is that it is not used early enough. 
Mr. Bittups.—I may say also that I think it is not applied late enough. 
Archdeacon MoMurray.—Is there any way of reaching the curculio after it has 
fallen and reached the ground? Would not some alkali thrown around as far as the limbs 
extend be of some benefit ? 
Mr. Bititups.—I do not think it would have any effect ; as so soon as the ohrysalis 
has reached the open in the spring the curculio gives off a perfect insect, ready for work. 
I do not know that it eats very much; once the curculio comes from the chrysalis its 
only object in life is to lay its eggs and then it dies. I donot think that any alkaline poison 
around the ground would have any effect. Indeed I may say I do not know that Paris 
green itself actually kills the curculio ; I think it possibly finds there something unpleasant 
on the plum and therefore leaves it. I believe that sprinkling with some kind of ashes o 
winders would be almost as efficacious as Paris green. I think Paris green acts more as a 
