14 THE PLUM IN KANSAS. 



found in these warts, and that the beetles have been seen stinging the 

 branches. On the other hand, the following facts are worthy of atten- 

 tion : First, in some parts of the country where the curculio has been 

 troublesome for many years the knots have never been known ; sec- 

 ond, in many cases the knots have been abundant on plum trees when 

 the fruit was entirely fair and uninjured by the curculio, even upon 

 the same branches. 



These facts seem so irreconcilable with the opinion that the cur- 

 culio produces both these efPects, that we rather incline at present to 

 the belief that, though the curculio deposits its eggs in the tumors on 

 the branches while they are yet soft and tender, yet it is not to the 

 curculio, but to some other insect or cause, that we owe this unsightly 

 disease. Practically, however, this is of little account. The experi- 

 ence of many, persons besides ourselves has proved most satisfactorily 

 that it is easy to extirpate this malady, if it is taken in season and 

 unremittingly pursued. As early as possible in the spring the whole 

 of the infected trees should be examined, and every branch and twig 

 that shows a tumor should be cut ofP and immediately burned. What- 

 ever may be the insect, we thus destroy it, and, as experience has 

 taught us that the malady spreads rapidly, we will thus effectually 

 prevent its increase. If the trees are considerably attacked by it, it 

 will probably be necessary to go over them again about the middle of 

 May, but, usually, once a year will be sufficient. If any of the trees 

 are very much covered with these knots, it is better to head back the 

 shoots severely, or dig them up and burn them outright, and it will 

 be necessary to prevail upon your neighbors, if there are near ones, 

 to enter into the plan, or your own labors will be of little value. Pur- 

 sue this simple and straightforward practice for two or three seasons 

 (covering any large wounds made with a solution of gum shellac), 

 and the knots will bo found to disappear, the curculio to the con- 

 trary notwithstanding. 



BOTANY OF THE PLUMS AND CHERRIES. 



By Chaeles E. Besset, Ph.D. ( Nebraska Horticultural Report.) 



Plums and cherries belong to the botanical genus Prunus, which 

 in turn is a member of the family known to botanists under the name 

 Rosacea'. The genus contains, all told, nearly 100 species, widely 

 distributed in temperate and tropical countries north of the equator. 

 Few, if any, species occur in a wild state south of the equator, and 

 none whatever occur in southern South America, tropical and south- 

 ern Africa, and Australia and the Pacific islands. The ^enus may 

 be briefly characterized as follows : . . . 



