PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 333 



Dr. Trimble then proceeded to discuss the subject of the " Cur- 

 ciilio," as follows, viz. : 



Few persons probably know the meaning of the word " curcu- 

 Ho," and when told that it is the name of a little insect, less 

 than the common house-fly, many will not care to read further — 

 for most people consider all insects too small to be worth much 

 consideration. But should we be told that during the nest 

 month there will come some great wild animal that will tear from 

 the orchards and gardens, in all the United States, (except only 

 in California and Oregon,) all the young apricots, nectarines, 

 plums and the greater portion of the apples, we would read all 

 about it, and be much excited. There would be another " great 

 arising," as there was a year ago, when the government was 

 threatened with destruction. Now although no such animal will 

 appear, all this mischief will be done. Millions of dollars worth 

 will be destroyed — all of us will be on short allowance, and 

 many will have no fruit at all. 



This is an evil that has now existed for many years, and is con- 

 stantly increasing, and still but little has been done or written 

 to guard these valuable crops from the threatened destruction. J 



Most people who have made careful observations for a series of 

 years, believe that we may only expect a full crop every other 

 year, and that even years, are the fruit years. Two years ago, 

 1860, we certainly had an unusual supply of nearly all kinds, and 

 many supposed the curculio had disappeared. Not so ; it com- 

 menced operations as usual, and probably as much fruit suffered 

 that year as any other ; but with so much to begin Avith, there 

 w^as generally an abundance left: there was even part of a crop 

 of plums on some trees. 



In many apple orchards the ground was thickly strewn with 

 punctured fruit, but still there was plenty left. The cherries 

 and peaches, as is usual when the crops of plums and apples are 

 abundant, suffered but little. The apricot being the first fruit 

 large enough for the attacks of this insect, will always suffer, and 

 requires the utmost vigilance to save it any year. The nectarine 

 though not so early, is a special favorite from its smooth and 

 tender skin ; it also is seldom saved, except when under glass. 

 . The writer of this paper has had a long war with the curcu- 

 lio. He has battled with him through fifteen campaigns, and, 

 except the three first, when he relied upon the w^eapons of quack- 

 ery, has always conquered. He has used the various w^ashes, 



