TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



23 



should be shaken twice or three times daily, certainly in the morning and 

 evening, in order that the beetles may be crushed, and all the wounded 

 fruit gathered and put into the fire. I had observed that, usually, after the 

 25th of July he is not to be found. 



If the first generation, which operate in June, are well destroyed, we 

 have less, yea, very little, to fear from the second generation, which work 

 in July. Children, who are always urged, by impulsive curiosity, to ex- 

 amine and investigate any new and curious object — of an insect, flower 

 or pebble — are ready and sufficient hands to perform much of this work, 

 and gladly will they perform it when promised a share of the product. 



This mode of protecting and preserving plums from the Curculio, I have 

 always found to succeed. 



I am aware, that the labor required, may be thought an objection to this 

 mode of warfare, and that the result will not warrant the time and pains ; 

 but if the orchardist will tar his apple trees to protect against the canker- 

 worm, and the gardener spend time to kill the cut-worm, and water his 

 plants in a dry season, surely this course is also justifiable; the result will 

 justify the means. 



A tree standing near the door, if jarred and shook 

 several times a day, as it may be passed, would be 

 likely to succeed, as this course would discommode 

 and frustrate the insect in his work. 



Plum trees, standing in a hog-yard, frequently 

 sustain partial crops, for the hogs are frequently 

 during the day rubbing against them, and are pretty 

 sure to eat all those that fall to the earth. 



Plums can be saved, even after the egg is laid in 

 them, by a trivial operation, if done before it has 

 hatched ; and this operation I have practised suc- 

 cessfully and repeatedly. 



You may smile at a manoeuvre, which is to de- 

 stroy an almost infinitesimal egg, with an instru- 

 ment made of a quill, like a toothpick; but this the 

 fruit-amateur will do with pleasure, if thereby he 

 can save a plum on a- new young tree, to test the 

 fruit of which he has been waiting patiently with 

 hopeful anxiety. It is well worth the while to do 

 this on low trees, in point of economy. 



It may be well to remark, that the egg is de- 

 posited in the inner circle of the incision, under a 

 small discolored portion of the skin of the plum, and 

 the operation consists in removing this discolored 

 portion of the skin. and scooping out the egg with the instrument, (Jig. 28.) 



Showing the method of de- 

 stroying the eggs with a 



QUill. 



