C)2 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



and some were quite full. These trees are generally old and large, but being in 

 small gardens, and planted too near together, grow tall. Many were near build- 

 ings; those with most fruit on were very near white houses. The principal 

 varieties were Bolmar's, Yellow Egg, Green and Blue Gages, Golden Drop, and 

 some of more common sorts. Probably none of the newer kinds are planted. The 

 people have so universally yielded to the dreaded Curculio, that the raising of Plum 

 trees in the nurseries in this part of the country has been abandoned 



In a visit to Mr. P.'s to-day, I jarred four of his Plum trees over a large sheet, 

 but caught only one Curculio ; probably the last of the season, but its terrible effects 

 still remained. Down came the plums by dozens. These were all superior sorts, 

 and now nearly as large as when ripe. In another month they would have been very 

 tempting. Upon a careful examination of a great number, I could find the crescent 

 mark in all, but not a single grub. Many were quite rotten, some half, some only a 

 speck ; and some had fallen without any sign of decay, as they do earlier in the sea- 

 son. Many people attribute the rotting of plums just before the period of ripening, 

 to the weather. This year, if the weather was the cause, it was too dry. Last year, 

 as it rained all the time, it must have been too wet. The weather is always a con- 

 venient resource to those who do not look for causes beyond it. With some, be it 

 hot or cold, or wet or dry, it is all the same. The weather, undoubtedly, has an 

 influence upon delicate fruits when nearly ripe. Cherries, apricots, plums, and even 

 some pears, will spoil rapidly, if the weather should be wet, foggy, and hot (what is 

 usually known as dog-day weather), at this critical time. But now, a month before 

 the plums are ripe, no weather will cause them to rot, unless there is a wound. I 

 have known the striking of hail-stones on plums make a bruise sufficient to cause 

 them to rot But there seems to be a poison from the punctures of the Curculio late 

 in the season that is peculiarly fatal ; what it is, it would be difficult to say. It is 

 certain that the egg is not often hatched when deposited in fruit when the pit is 

 maturing. This may be observed not only in the plum, but in the pear, nectarine, 

 and apricot. Many such fall, more or less decayed ; others will remain upon the 

 tree and dry up (see Plate 1 , Figure 5, and Plate 5, Figure 6). Early in the season, 

 in the plum, nectarine, and apricot, the egg is nearly always hatched, and the young 

 grub comes to maturity. I have sometimes thought that the acid juices of the 

 maturing fruits may interfere, but I have no proof, and my readers must not mistake 

 a mere suggestion for a theory. I have had too much experience to indulge in any 

 theories on insect operations. 



The plums that fell to-day on jarring the trees had been punctured by Curculios, 

 and most of them were more or less rotted. 'Those without Curculio marks were 



