Feb.] THE ORCHARD. J45 



knows with what avidity ducks seize on the tumble-bug (Scara- 

 bxus carnifex), and it is probable the curculio is regarded" by all 

 the fowls as an equally delicious morsel. Therefore it is, that the 

 smooth stone fruits, particularly, succeed much better in lanes and 

 yards, where the poultry run without restraint, than in gardens and 

 other enclosures, where the fowls are excluded. 



"All the terebinthinate substances, with camphor and some 

 others, are said to be very offensive to insects generally. Upon 

 this principle, General T. Robinson, of Naaman's creek, suspends 

 annually little bits of board, about the size of a case-knife, dipped 

 in tar, on each of his plum trees. — From three to five of these 

 strips are deemed enough, according to the size of the tree. The 

 General commences his operations about the time or soon after the 

 trees are in full bloom, and renews the application of the tar 

 frecpuently while the fruit hangs on the tree. To this expedient, 

 he attributes his never failing success. Other gentlemen allege, that 

 common turpentine would be still better; being equally pungent 

 and more permanent in its effects. Some have sown offensive 

 articles, such as buckwheat, celery, &c. at the root of the tree, and 

 have thought that great advantages followed. 



"Mlaqueation, or digging round the trees, and making bare their 

 roots in winter, is an old expedient of gardeners for killing insects, 

 and may answer well enough for a solitary tree a year or two; but 

 the curculio will soon recover from a disturbance of this sort, and 

 stock the tree again. 



"In large orchards, care should be taken that the stock of hogs 

 is sufficient to eat up all the early fruit which fall from May until 

 August. This precaution will be more especially necessary in 

 large peach orchards; for, otherwise, when the hogs become 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 underground 

 until next spring. 



"A young orchard should not be planted in the place of, or adja- 

 cent to an old one, that it may not be immediately infested with 

 the curculio. 



"It is also apparent from what has been said, that great advan- 

 tages might result from an association or combination of whole 

 neighbourhoods against this common enemy. Although an intelli- 

 gent farmer may accomplish much, by due attention, within his 

 own territory, the total extermination of the curculio can hardly 

 be expected but by the concurrent efforts of whole districts." 



For further particulars respecting fruit trees, see the article 

 Orchard in March. 



