AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 323 



the tree a few handfuls of ashes, in the morning before the 

 dew is dissipated from the foliage, or after a shower of rain. 

 A strong whitewash of fresh stone-lime, applied by the means 

 of a mop. or sponge fixed to the end of a pole, strong soap- 

 suds, spirits of turpentine, a little oil of any kind, particularly 

 blubber oil, are likewise fatal to the insects. But, perhaps, 

 the most effectual remedy is the hand^ by which the insects 

 may easily be removed at an early stage ; but if this be 

 neglected, it is thought that the next best remedy is the use 

 of colonel Pickering's brush as above. In applying either of 

 these remedies, care must be taken to choose that part of the 

 day when the caterpillars are in their nests. They rarely 

 quit them till nine o'clock, and generally return to them 

 again about twelve. 



Curculio. This is a small bug, or beetle, which perfo- 

 rates the young fruit of the pear, apple, and all stone fruits, 

 and deposits its eggs in them. The eggs soon hatch, and a 

 small maggot is produced, which feeds either on the pulp of 

 the fruit, or on the kernel of the seed ; for the tastes and 

 habits of the different species are not similar. In the stone 

 fruits, this injury destroys their growth, and they fall with 

 the little enemy within them. The insect retreats into the 

 earth, and passes the winter in the chrysalis state, and comes 

 forth just as the young fruit is forming, or the petals of the 

 flowers are falling, to renew its mischievous labors. This 

 insect continues its depredations from the first of May until 

 autumn. Dr. James Tilton, of Wilmington, Delaware, in 

 an article on this subject, published in the American editions 

 of Willich's Domestic Ejicijclopedia, observes that 'our fruits, 

 collectively estimated, must thereby be depreciated more 

 than half their value ;' and adds, in his directions for de- 

 stroying the insect, ' all the domestic animals, if well direct- 

 ed, contribute to this purpose. Hogs, in a special manner, 

 are qualified for the work of extermination. In large or- 

 chards, care should be taken that the stock of hogs is suffi- 

 cient to eat up all the early fruit which falls from May till 

 August. This precaution will be more especially necessary 

 in large peach orchards ; for otherwise, when the hogs be- 

 come cloyed with the pulp of the peach, they will let it fall 

 out of their mouths, and content themselves with the kernel, 

 which they like better ; and thus the curculio, escaping from 

 their jaws, may hide under ground till next spring.' 



' The ordinary fowls of a farm-yard are great devourers 

 of beetles. Poultry in general are regarded as carnivorous 



