THE CURCULIO. 85 



what is more for fruit-growers, the embryo enemies within them are placed for ever 

 hors-de-conibat. How in a single season could every cow in this state in every state- 

 be made to double her value if only properly managed ? How long oh ! how long 

 must we wait for this better management ? Amateurs have improved until those fruits 

 figured in the Frontispiece of this book are but common samples of what we could 

 have in abundance everywhere Apricots, Plums, Nectarines, a galaxy of luxuries 

 except for these insect enemies. We have the nurseries to furnish the supply ; we 

 have lists to choose from, compiled carefully by competent authority; we have 

 elaborate instructions how to prepare the ground, to plant, to prune ; but we let these 

 little insects come without hindrance to take the greater part and deform the remainder. 

 And this goes on year after year, of course growing worse. Could there be a year 

 without a blossom, most people would look upon it as a misfortune. Some would 

 interpret it as a visitation from the Almighty in punishment for our sins. Still it 

 would be a blessing. The Curculio and Apple Moth would be checked. The former 

 would probably prolong its race to a limited extent in the black knot ; but still its 

 ravages would be greatly diminished. Let it be known that in a single season the 

 hogs and cattle could do an equal amount of good without the punishment of a year 

 of privation. Let there be fruit-growing clubs everywhere, that shall make rules and 

 enforce them, that the fruit shall le protected from the manageable insect enemies. Impose 

 fines, punishments, disgrace, upon all who neglect the duty. The Hessian Fly, the 

 Wheat Midge, and other insect enemies have compelled farmers for a time to stop 

 the cultivation of certain crops so as to starve them out. Our hogs and cattle have 

 both capacity and inclination to eat the Curculio out of house and home in a single 

 season. I have been now for weeks killing poor little innocent birds, to ascertain 

 positively what they feed on; and one object was to find which would destroy the 

 Curculio. In one, the Baltimore Oriole, I have found the bird I sought, The Baltimore 

 Oriole eats the Curculio. Probably many other birds that frequent the orchard in pursuit 

 of food, and feed upon beetles, do the same thing; but none of them search it out 

 exclusively. Therefore, good as most of the birds are as consumers of injurious 

 insects, and though the world, for our purposes, would soon become topsy-turvy 

 without them, the birds cannot be relied on to subdue or control the Curculio. 



A few minutes ago I gave fifty apples to one of these cows. I had rambled 

 over much of this orchard to find them. She ate them all in less than five minutes, 

 and then looked up at me as Oliver Twist looked up at Bumble, and almost as plainly 

 said, " more." 



July 11. Examined the Curculios to-day. The earth in the flower-pots and 



