44 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



Old trees lose their elasticity, and cannot always be jarred enough with the mallet to 

 cause the Curculio to let go ; in this case the common mop-stick, used against the 

 limb as shown in the Plate, answers perfectly. It should be properly padded to 

 avoid bruising the bark. 



The illustration on this Plate fairly represents the form of canvas I have always 

 used. It is made of common strong white sheeting, and if properly taken care of 

 will last for years. Many other forms have been described. Some use a common 

 sheet, and that will answer for a very few small trees in a garden ; larger ones would 

 require two ; but the stretchers will save much time, and will be found indispensable 

 if the weather should be windy. One gentleman, whom I know, has arranged his 

 canvas upon a frame, fitting loosely so as to sag to the centre, that the Curculios may 

 roll down together; and this frame is fitted to a two-wheeled barrow, the slip pro- 

 jecting beyond the barrow, and that part of the frame thus brought against the body 

 of the tree made strong and padded for the purpose of giving the necessary jar a 

 butting machine something in the goat style. Such a contrivance, if made strong 

 enough, will save the labor of one hand. 



Most people of our country, who have attended the large agricultural and horti- 

 cultural exhibitions, have seen the contributions of plums sent by Ellwanger and Barry 

 of Rochester, N. Y. Often twenty, thirty, or even more varieties will be found on 

 the tables from their orchards. Pears, apples, and grapes are contributed by many 

 others, but they are often the only exhibitors of plums. 



The Horticulturist of 1 859, page 527, contains the following : 



'' Curculio Remedy. The Valley Farmer publishes the manner which Ellwanger 

 and Barry, of Rochester, take to rid their fruit-trees of this enemy. They employ 

 two men, whose regular business it is to carry out this operation. A light wooden 

 frame is made, on which canvas or cheap muslin is stretched, made large enough to 

 cover the space under the branches of one half the tree. Also a similar one to occupy 

 the remaining space. A branch of the tree has been previously sawed off, thus leaving 

 a stump three or four inches long (one inch, only, would be better). After the 

 Curculio catchers are placed beneath the branches, which can be quickly done, one of 

 the men with the mallet strikes the stump a sharp, quick blow. The little Turks 

 drop, and are immediately removed from the ' catchers,' and the men proceed to the 

 next tree. Many hundred trees can thus be gone over in a few hours." 



