124 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



trees and secure them just as soon as they can get a plum to 

 taste — before the blossom is off the skin. Then I have observed 

 that they seldom deposit their egg until the plums get a little 

 larger size. They begin to work upon them, cutting and slash- 

 ing round ; but I have never seen them sealed up until they got 

 to be of a larger size. 



In regard to borers, I remember that I went into that subject 

 at a previous meeting, and recommended the protection of a 

 class of birds, various woodpeckers, which I know feed upon the 

 larvae of these insects. I have frequently seen where the wood- 

 peckers have taken out the borers ; and as they destroy no ber- 

 ries or other fruit, but are entirely carnivorous, if I may use the 

 term, I think it is well to protect them. With respect to some 

 other birds, my sentiments have been somewhat modified ; but 

 of that I do not wish to speak at present, perhaps not at all. 



I do not think of anything more in relation to the apple 

 which can be of interest to any one ; but if any gentleman has 

 any question to ask, I will try to answer it. 



Mr. BiRNiE. Have you any remedy to suggest for the 

 curculio ? 



Mr. Clement. Yes. It is one which will require consider- 

 able patience and perseverance. It is to pick up the fruit and 

 destroy it by some means. Perhaps you may boil it for the pigs 

 or throw it into the river. Get rid of it in some way. Let the 

 children, or anybody who can attend to it, pick up the fruit 

 which contains the worm, and which will eventually contain the 

 curculio, and destroy them. This plan will not destroy them 

 all, it is true, but it will diminish the number. I once had a 

 plum orchard of some seventy-five trees that began to bear very 

 nicely, and I raised them in spite of the curculio. I bought 

 some cheap sheeting and made some large square sheets, with a 

 split half way up in the middle, and went around twice or 

 thrice a week, with the children ; one of the sheets was held up 

 round the trees, and I kicked the trunk with rubber boots, and 

 jarred the curculio down and killed them at once. We could 

 thin them out in that way. A little attention would save an 

 abundant crop. 



Mr. BiRNiE. What time of day would you recommend ? 



Mr. Clement. Almost any time except midday. This mat- 

 ter of fastening cotton round the trunk of a tree is all humbug. 



