There are several kinds of catchers in common use by orchardists. 

 One form is shown in figure 4 and consists of a light framework 12 

 feet long b}^ G feet Avide, over Avhich a canvas is stretched. The jar- 

 ring gang consists of five persons. Two of tlie frames of the dimen- 

 sions given are used together, each frame being carried by a couple 

 of women or boys, as shown in the figure. One frame is held on each 

 side of the tree, while the fifth member of the gang, Avho carrie>^ a 

 long-handled padded pole, gives the trunk of the tree a sharp, 

 forcible blow. With this outfit a large number of trees may be 

 jarred in a very short time. It is therefore especially suitable for 

 Avork on a large scale. The curculios Avhich fall to the sheets are 

 collected and destroyed when the end of the row is reached, and the 

 beneficial insects, principally ladybirds, are alloAved to escape. 

 Where jarring on a smaller scale is desired, sheets can be made of a 

 size to be easily handled by one man. For this purpose frames 9 feet 

 by 4i feet are convenient and Avill answer for moderately sized peach, 

 plum, and cherry trees. 



Another catcher which is in common use, especially by the plum 

 growers of western New York (see figure 5), is a tAvo-Avheeled cart 

 upon wdiicli is mounted a canvas covering arranged in the form of an 

 inverted umbrella. There is a narrow opening at the front to receive 

 the trunk of the tree. Whqji the catcher is in position, the trunk of 

 the tree is given a sharp 1)1oav. This causes the beetles to drop to the 

 canvas, from which they are SAvept into the tin receptacle, or " hop- 

 per," hanging under the center of the cart directly beneath an opening 

 in the canvas. Some operators place kerosene in the " hopper "' to 

 destroy the insects as soon as they fall into it. Others haA^e chestnut 

 roasters placed at the end of the roAvs, in Avhich the insects and rubbish 

 collected in the " hopper '' are finall}' roasted. 



Although the operations just described are somcAvhat laborious and 

 expensive, many orchardists haA^e demonstrated that the outlay in 

 time and money thus iuATsted Avill bring profitable returns. Some 

 interesting fiaures concerning the cost of and results from this work 

 as practiced in a Georgia orchard Avere obtained by ^Messrs. W. M. 

 Scott and W. F. Fiske during the season of 1900 and- published in 

 Bulletin No. 81, ncAv series, of this Bureau. Some 200,000 bearing- 

 peach and 50,000 bearing plum trees were jarred about 10 times 

 during the period from April 18 to June 1. Eleven gangs, or 55 

 hands, Avith 5 attendants, Avere engaged in the work. The total cost 

 for labor and repairs Avas placed at about $1,000. The number of 

 curculios caught during the season Avas estimated at about 1HT,000. 

 On the assumption that one-half of tliesc weic females, each capable 

 of laying 200 eggs, it Avill be seen that lo, 700,000 eggs, less those 

 deposited by the beetles before ('a])tuiv. were kej)t from the fruit. 

 The amount of curculio damage in this orchard for the season was 



[Cir. 73] 



