its Natural History, Habits^ (^'c. 287 



insect immediately falls upon it, and, feigning himself dead, 

 very much resembles a raisin seed in form, {Jig. 27, p. 

 286.) 



All the Curculios on the sheet should be crushed between 

 the thumb and finger, and all the stung plums that fall 

 from the tree should be put into the fire. 



I would impress upon the mind of the gardener the im- 

 portance of assiduously attending upon his destruction in 

 the month of June. The trees should be shaken twice or 

 three times daily, certainly in the morning and evening, in 

 order that the beetles may be crushed, and all the wounded 

 fruit gathered and put into the fire. I have observed that, 

 usually, after the twenty -fifth of July he is not to be 

 found. 



If the first generation, which operate in June, are well 

 destroyed, we have less, yea, very little, to fear from the 

 second generation, which work in July. Children, who 

 are always urged, by impulsive curiosity, to examine and 

 investigate any new and curious object — of an insect, 

 flower or pebble — are ready and sufficient hands to perform 

 much of this work, and gladly will they perform it when 

 promised a share of the product. 



This mode of protecting and preserving plums, from the 

 Curculio, 1 have always found to succeed. 



I am aware, that the labor required, may be thought an 

 objection to this mode of warfare, and that the result will 

 not warrant the time and pains ; but if the orchardist will 

 tar his apple trees to protect against the canker-worm, and 

 the gardener spend time to kill the cut-worm, and water 

 his plants in a dry season, surely this course is also justifi- 

 able ; the result will justify the means. 



A tree standing near the door, if jarred and shook several 

 times a day, as it may be passed, would be likely to suc- 

 ceed, as this course would discommode and frustrate the 

 insect in his work. 



Plum trees, standing in a hog-yard, frequently sustain 

 partial crops, for the hogs are frequently, during the day, 

 rubbing against them, and are pretty sure to eat all those 

 that fall to the earth. 



Plums can be saved, even after the egg is laid in them, 

 by a trivial operation, if done before it has hatched ; and 

 this operation I have practiced successfully and repeat- 

 edly. 



