46 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



large crops, were it not for the curciilio. I have tried many 

 experiments to no avail, and some with more success. I have 

 applied salt to plum trees since I first commenced growing 

 them, using from one to two quarts to each tree, according to 

 its size, spreading it in March or April under the branches of 

 each tree as far as they extend. Although there is no percepti- 

 ble diminution in the ravages of the curculio on trees thus 

 treated, yet I use salt annually, as I perceive it to be of great 

 benefit as a fertilizer. I practice washing my trees annually 

 with potash, or strong soap-suds, and throwing dry ashes on the 

 trees, when the dew is on them in the morning, and am not 

 much troubled with insects, except the curculio, and sometimes 

 the borer. The borer is only destroyed with knife and wire, 

 by watching the trees. 



1 will here mention a successful experiment for the protec- 

 tion of the plum against the curculio. Last year I made two 

 bags of old thin muslin and drew them over two limbs about 

 the time the fruit set. Within each of these bags I saved a 

 few beautiful plums, and not a plum did I save on any other 

 part of the tree. Taking courage at this good success, I 

 bought last spring a few yards of bonnet lining which I made 

 into bags, according to the size of the limbs I wished to cover. 

 These I drew on the limbs of several trees, some when the 

 plums had set, and others when they were in the blow ; for I 

 found the enemy had made their appearance while the trees 

 were in bloom. Under each of these bags I saved plums, apri- 

 cots and nectarines, upon limbs of twelve different trees ; and 

 these were the only ones I saved this year. The first of 

 August I removed the bags, the curculio having disappeared. 

 Some may think this would be too expensive, but I think not. 

 The muslin would last many years ; and by trahiing the trees, 

 or the branches in the right form, they might easily be covered, 

 to the profit of the fruit grower. Be this as it may, I have 

 found it of great use to me, as I had bought a variety of choice 

 plum trees from which I did not like to use buds and grafts, 

 until I had proved the fruit. This I have accomplished. One 

 small branch covered by a bag. measuring six and a half by 

 nine inches, contained twenty-one beautiful plums, hanging in 



