Chickens are said to help greatly in desti'oyin<i- the beetles, espe- 

 cially in small oi'chards planted near the home. 



PKKVENTI VK M EASURKS. 



Although many methods have been proposed for lessening the in- 

 jury of this pernicious pest, only a few have proved of real value. 



Jarring. — Among these, jarring is the method which is perhaps in 

 most general use in protecting plums and peaches, and by many 

 orchardists it is believed to give the best results. Early observations 

 upon the plum curculio showed that this insect has a habit of falling 

 to tlie ground and " playing ]:)os-um " when distnrl)ed. A knowl- 



rr>^' -->•" '^ 



Kl(! 



'Pile cai-r catcher in iisp in .iarrini; for (lie pliini cnrcnlirt. (At'for Slinf;erlancl. ) 



edge of this habit has led to the cai)ture of the beetles on sheets held 

 or spread beneath the trees, the trees being jarred by a sudden, for- 

 cible blow struck with a padded pole or mallet in order to dislodge 

 the beetles. 



In the spring, about the time the calyx or " shuck " is beginning to 

 slip otr from the newly set fruit, jan-ing is commenced and is con- 

 tinued daily or as often as the weather will permit for a period of 

 four or five weeks or until the <)])erati()n ceases to yield many beetles. 

 Jarring is best done in the early morning oi- late evening, foi- at tiiese 

 times the beetles are less active, dro}) more readily, and are not so 

 likely to escape by flying or crawling from the sheets as thej^ are at 



midday. 



\c\v.-:i] 



