114 FRUIT CULTURE. 



(open half way up, to allow the tree to enter 

 and stand in the centre) is spread under the tree, 

 extending out as far as the branches. Upon a 

 sudden jar of the tree the curculio instantly 

 drops upon the sheet with folded limbs, as if 

 in the repose of death. Such deceit should be 

 quickly made a reality. Small trees may be 

 jarred by hand. For larger trees the stump of 

 a limb, or an iron spike driven into the tree, 

 may serve as a place to give the blow, with 

 a mallet, thus avoiding bruising of the bark. 

 Bamboo poles sewed on two sides of the sheet will 

 facilitate spreading. For large orchards this 

 sheet might be framed and mounted on a wheel- 

 barrow, with a padded bumper attached, so that 

 the machine might be driven with force enough 

 to jar the trees. It is essential to commence in 

 season, and to follow up the process as long as 

 there are any beetles to catch. With this care 

 the success is certain. 



The Plum-Gouger (Coccotorus scutellaris). 

 This is an insect much resembling the curculio 

 in habits, but instead of the crescent-shaped 

 puncture, it makes a round hole in the fruit. 

 The larva also penetrates the stone, instead of 

 working around it. The beetle drops in the 

 same manner as the curculio, but is more alert, 

 and therefore is not so readily caught. It is 



