326 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



The fruit bud will bear a greater degree of cold than Iho 

 peach, without being disorganized, yet who eats an apricot in 

 this country except as a most costly luxury ? 



The plum tree is as hardy as the apple or pear, and by no 

 means a short-lived tree. It grows well almost over our Avholo 

 country, and although it bears better, and the fruit is superior 

 in flavor in some sections than in others, plums might be as 

 plenty as blackberries everywhere, if properly taken care of; yet 

 how few ever taste the really good varieties, or know from 

 experience that the Green Gage once so common, really sur- 

 passes in excellence, all the fruits that grow. Nearly all the 

 plums now found in our markets are brought in barrels, and are 

 the small common kinds — austere as green persimmons and only 

 fit for preserving. 



Who eats a Mectarine ? Who knows anything about a necta-- 

 rine ? 



It might as well be placed amongst the lost arts, as to any 

 real knowledge the people have of this most beautiful of all the 

 fruits. 



Yet the tree that bears the nectarine is just as hardy and can 

 be grown wherever the peach will flourish. And why are these 

 fruits so neglected ? It is the curculio — and what is the curculio 1 

 A mere speck of an insect — a little beetle — that it takes four to 

 weigh a single grain, or 25,000 to make a pound. And it is this 

 same insect that is so fearfully threatening the apples, and, 

 though in a less degree, all the other fruits. 



Other insects, as the Hessian fly, the grain aphis, the army 

 worm or the grass hopper, threaten us with famine at times, and 

 some seasons do immense injury, but suddenly disappear, only 

 to return after long intervals. They are managed and controlled 

 by a wonderful provision in the insect world, by which they are 

 kept within their due limits — none are permitted to preponde- 

 rate for any length of time at the expense of others. 



This curculio, or plum weevil, as it is sometimes called, is not 

 subject to the laws regulating the above named classes, and in- 

 creases, and will increase just in proportion to the food supplied 

 it by multiplying the number of fruit trees. 



The nursery busines has sbecome an important one in our coun- 

 try — thousands upon thousands of acres are covered with young 

 fruit trees. Catalogues are published containing interminable 

 lists, and all good. Elaborate instructions are given when and 



