On the Fruit Curculio. 37 



the time or soon after the trees are in full bloom, and 

 renews the application of the tar frequently, while the 

 fruit hangs on the tree. To this expedient, he attri- 

 butes his never failing success. Other gentlemen al- 

 lege, that common turpentine would be still better ; be^ 

 ing equally pungent and more permanent in its eftects. 

 Some have sown offensive articles, such as buckwheat, 

 celery, &c. at the root of the tree, and have thought that 

 great advantages followed." 



" Ablaqueation^ or digging round the trees, and mak- 

 ing bai'e their roots in winter, is an old expedient of 

 gardeners for killing insects, and may answer well 

 enough for a solitary tree, a year or two ; but the cur- 

 culio will soon recover from a disturbance of this sort, 

 and stock the tree again." 



" There is no surer protection against the curculio 

 than a pavement. This, however, is only applicable to 

 a few trees. It may serve in town ; but \vill not answer 

 in the country. [Flat stones may however be placed 

 round the tree, and where lime is at hand, they may be 



cemented. "3 



" Many other expedients, such as smoking, brush- 

 ing, watering, &:c. may be successfully employed, for 

 the protection of a favourite tree or two ; but it is ma- 

 nifest, from the preceding history, that a right disposi- 

 tion of stock, especially hogs, among the fruit trees, can 

 only be relied upon by a farmer, with orchards of con- 

 siderable extent. And that the stock, poultry &c. may 

 perform the task assigned them, it is evident, that a pro- 

 per disposition of fruit trees is essentially necessary. 



- ^ As the smooth stone fruits are the grand nurseries 

 of the curculio, special cai'e should be taken, to have 



