42 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



" ' On the first day of this month I observed some Curculios on the Plum trees in 

 my fruit garden ; and not knowing how numerous they might prove, or how much 

 danger was to be apprehended from them, we spread the sheets which we keep 

 exclusively for this purpose, and by shaking we caught from about fifty trees more 

 than thirty of these insects. Since that time, on different days, we have made 

 similar trials, but we soon became satisfied that only a few were left ; and unless 

 others migrate hither, which the movement of the hogs will be likely to prevent, I think 

 their depredations will be very limited this season.' 



" Three days afterwards I furnished the following statement, containing a very 

 important improvement on the mode before described : 



" ' Not three days ago I saw that many of the plums were punctured, and began 

 to suspect that skating the tree was not sufficient. Under a tree in a remote part of 

 the fruit garden, having spread the sheets, I made the following experiments : On 

 skating it well, I caught five Curculios ; on jarring with my hand I caught twch-e 

 more ; and on striking the tree with a stone, eight more dropped on the sheets. I was 

 now convinced that I had been in error, and calling in the neces.sary assistance, and 

 using a. hammer to jar the tree violently, we caught in less than one hour more than 260 

 of these insects.' 



" Now I should think that these statements would explain all the failures that 

 have occurred in this business. 



" At that time my trees were not large, but they have long since become so ; 

 and to attempt to shake them now, or to jar them with the hand, would be out of 

 the question. IPe strike them with an axe, and the blows may be heard to a considera- 

 ble distance. To muffle the pounder to prevent its bruising the bark, would be 

 preposterous in the extreme ; for the stroke, to be effectual, must be a sharp and sud- 

 den jar. A short stump of a sawed limb has been found best. Some of the success 

 of these operations, however, depends upon the temperature of the weather. Thus, 

 many of these insects fly off in the warm part of the day, and in the coolest 

 mornings we catch them in the greatest numbers. DAVID THOMAS, Grcatfield, 

 6th Mo., 1851." 



After such clear and explicit instructions from the practical man, modified, 

 improved, and perfected after twenty years of experience, it is unnecessary for me to 

 say one word as to the modus operand! of the canvas remedy, except that probably 

 the form recommended in the Plate will be an improvement on the plan of Friend 

 Thomas, and the mop-stick for jarring the branches will be found greatly superior to 

 the mallet or axe, where the trees are old and large. 



