118 FRUIT GARDEN. 



their wood thinned out occasionally while they are young. 

 The hardy kinds grown in this way are very productive, 

 and in some places in the north of England their produce 

 forms a considerable article of food for several weeks, 

 and also an article of commerce, particularly the wine- 

 sour, which is in great request for preserves. It is 

 matter of regret that this branch of fruit culture has not 

 as yet, met with due attention in Scotland. 



The crops of this fruit are greatly limited in the United 

 States by the destruction of the young fruit effected by 

 worms hatched from eggs deposited in what are called the 

 stings of the Curculio. This insect has been described by 

 Dr. Harris, the celebrated entomologist of Massachusetts, 

 whose account of it, together with the best modes of pro- 

 tection from its destructive attacks, are all treated of at 

 much length in the Farmer 's and Planter's Encyclopedia, 

 under the heads of Curculio and Plum- Tree Weevil. One 

 of the best preventives is to have the trees paved around, 

 or planted in yards and places where fowls and pigs com- 

 monly range. 



The list of plums adopted as of the first quality, at the 

 National Convention of Fruit-growers, at their meeting 

 in 1854, is as follows : — 



Jefferson, Green-Gage, Washington, Purple Favorite, 

 Blocker's Gage, Coe's Golden Drop, Frost Gage, Lawrence 

 Favorite, Mc'Laughlin, Purple Gage, Heine Claude de 

 Bavay, Smith's Orleans; and, for particular localities , the 

 Imperial Gage. To this list of fruit of well-established 

 reputation, the same body subsequently added as giving 

 promise of being worthy a place in the catalogue, River's 

 Favorite, St. Martin's Quetsche, Ive's Washington Seedling, 

 Munroe Egg, and Prince's Yellow Gage. 



