THE CURCULIO. 



PLATE I. (Frontispiece.) 



1. The Promise. 



2, 3, 4. The Fulfilment as it should be. 



5. The Fulfilment as it is. 



6. The Cause of the Difference. 



THE Frontispiece of a book is generally intended to be looked at only. This 

 one, it carefully studied, will convey an impression of the importance of one of the 

 insect enemies that could hardly be realized by any arrangement of words. 



Fig. i represents a cluster of the blossoms of the Apricot. This is the 

 earliest of the fruit trees to bloom ; the first evidence that Spring has really come. 

 Few of the fruit blossoms are so beautiful as these, but like many others of the fair 

 promises of this world, they are not always kept inviolate. 



Fig. 2 is a Pond's Seedling Plum ; see how large it is ; look at the bloom ; 

 think how it would taste. The tree grows large and strong ; bears full crops. Any 

 one can have plenty of such plums if he will master the Curculio. There are 

 more than fifty other kinds, all good, to choose from. The Plum tree is hardy; it 

 will grow well in every part of our country, on every soil ; no Borer at the root ; no 

 Yellows ; no Curled Leaf. The buds are seldom killed with the severe cold of the 

 winter, and the blossoms not often nipped with late frosts: 



Look at Fig. 3, an Apricot that superb fruit. Who eats an apricot *? Look 

 at it again, and resolve to have some. This fruit ripens during the last of July and 

 early in August, between the Berries and the Peaches. 



Fig. 4 is a Nectarine, the most beautiful of all the fruits. Many kinds are 

 delicious. The tree is closely allied to the Peach, growing where it will. Get it 

 clear of the taint of the Yellows, and keep out the Borers, and the Curculio is the 

 only enemy to prevent your having the fruit in abundance. Think of such orna- 



