124 PROCEEDINGS. 



down by the winds, deeming it the lesser sacrifice if the experiment proved fatal. After 

 the treatment with both lime and manure had been continued a few weeks, the efficacy of 

 lime seemed so decidedly superior to that of manure that I introduced lime into my orchard 

 of Nectarines, which had now generally been pierced. Result : — In a short time the 

 Nectarines dropped, except the Elruges, which were never disturbed, and although no 

 further attention was given, they ripened. 



From one-fourth to one-third the crop of Apricots and Plums treated with manure arrived 

 to perfection, except two trees of Cooper's large. A like proportion of these — say one- 

 third — remained sound until they began to ripen. At this stage they commenced rotting, 

 and upon both trees the aggregate that ripened without a blemish, scarcely equalled half a 

 dozen. 



The inclined tree of Cooper's large received half a dozen dressings of powdered lime, 

 at intervals. But during the season I never saw a punctured fruit — never saw gum upon 

 any of its fruits or leaves ; it retained its leaves well, though many were coated with 

 lime, and about the 5lh of August it furnished specimens of ripe fruit for the tables of the 

 Kentucky Horticultural Society. This same tree retained its fruits and for five successive 

 meetings furnished weekly contributions. To giVe some conception of the quantity and 

 quality of the crop, it may be stated that they sold readily at 40 to 55 cents per dozen, and 

 at such prices a tree whose trunk was not larger than a man's arm, yielded fifteen dollars, 

 over and above what were given to visitors as specimens, and what were eaten by the family. 



1849. May 4. Yesterday I first observed the sting of the Curculio upon an Illinois 

 Wild Plum, and now resolved upon treating Wild Plums with ground plaster, Drap d'Or 

 and Prince's Gage Plums with lime, as a preventive against the attack of the Curculio : 

 and desirous thoroughly to test the efficacy of lime, resolved to whitewash the few fruits 

 which survived the fiost so that the Curculio cannot possibly inflict his wound upon parts 

 of the fruit which might accidentally be left uncovered by lime when applied in the 

 ordinary way — which is, to syringe the fruits, if not already wet by dew or a shower, and 

 then with some elastic implement, as a broad spatula or tin shovel, throw small quantities 

 of powdered lime upwards from beneath the fruits. This powder rises a dense cloud, and 

 settles upon the fruits. 



May 5. To-day reapplied plaster and lime, which had been removed by a shower. 



May 15. During the last few days there have occurred several rains, which have ren- 

 dered necessary the reapplication of plaster to the Illinois Plums, and lime to the others. 

 One Illinois fruit pierced since first treated with plaster. 



May 25. Illinois Plum. pierced on the 15th inst., has now fallen off. Found now three 

 different Elruge Nectarine trees with a single fruit on each — all pierced by the Curculio. 

 Whitewashed them with lime. 



June 3. Absent at Lexington five days. One rain while away. Now renewed appli- 

 cation of lime and plaster. Limed fruits looking well, except two which have received an 

 injury sufficient to paralyze one cheek ; the affected cheeks are rough, and emit gum. 



June 12. Prince's Gage and Drap d'Or Plums begin to swell and assume a rough, 

 uneven exterior. No Curculio; no glue, but on injured fruits. 



June 19. No lime since June 3d. Plastered fruits all fallen, being first pierced. 



June 21. Limed plums have a good appearance. No sting of the Curculio as yet ; 

 apparently out of danger ; no lime since June 3d. 



June 30. The first of the limed fruits, a Prince's Gage Plum, paralyzed on one cheek, 

 ripened about one week since. Every fruit whitewashed has reached maturity, without 

 any disposition to rot in ripening — the unblemished ones, attaining good size. 



N. B. The three Elruge Nectarines whitewashed on the 25th of May, after they were 

 pierced by the Curculio, fell between the 5th and 10th June, the larva having eaten its 

 way in to the embryo cat^ ledons. 



