10 



Since the period of feeding and egg laying of the curculio extends 

 over several Aveeks from its emergence in spring, several applications of 

 poison are necessary. The first application should be made as soon as 

 the blossoms have fallen, and three or four subsequent applications 

 should be made at intervals of eight to ten days. In the case of apple 

 the usual two applications for the codling moth or canker- worms — just 

 after petals fall and again within a week or ten days — will answer for 

 the first two applications against the curculio. In spraying for the cur- 

 culio, too nuicli stress can not be laid on the importance of making the 

 applications as thorough as jiossible. The effort should be made to 

 cover every leaf, twig, and fruit. 



Cultivation. — Another vulnerable period in the life of the insect is 

 tliat when the larva has reached its growth and has passed into the soil. 

 At a distance varying from one-half to 2 inches from the surface the 

 larva makes a small earthen cell in which to undergo its transforma- 

 tion to the pupa, and, later, to the adult beetle. AYhile these changes 

 are taking j^lace the insect is in a jjerfectly heli3less condition, and the 

 .stirring of the soil with a cultivator at this period Avill doubtless 

 break up the cells, causing the death of many of the delicate pupa*. 

 Since cultivation is a necessary feature of orchard practice, effort 

 should be made to carry on a \)i\vi of it at a period when a majority 

 of the insects are easily destroyed. Careful observations show that in 

 the vicinity of Washington, D. C, and southward the larviv begin to 

 enter the soil about six weeks from the time fruit trees are in full 

 bloom. In Illinois, according to Professor Crandall, about two 

 months elapse between the period of full l)looui and the date at which 

 larva3 begin to enter the soil. Since the period of maximum Qgg lay- 

 ing covers from four to five weeks, there is a like period when the 

 pupte are in the soil in maxinnun numbers. Cultivations to destroy 

 the curculio should therefore begin six or eight weeks, according to 

 latitude, from the time of full bloom of the trees and shovdd be con- 

 tinued for four or five weeks. Such work could be readily arranged 

 for as part of the regular cultivation given the orchard. 



Gathering fallen fruit. — The number of curculios can be greatly 

 reduced by picking up and destroying the fallen fruit infested with 

 larva?. Much of the infested fruit falls to the ground several days 

 before the larva is full grown and ready to leave it. If this be gath- 

 ored and burned, at intervals of three or four days, it will result in 

 greatly lessening the number of beetles to attack the fruit in the fall 

 and following spring. 



Ap])roved : 



Ja.mks ^^'i^s()^•. 



Secretary of Ayrlcultvre. 



Washington, I). C-., April IJ4, 1906. 



[Cir. 7HJ 



o 



