THE PLUM 109 



before ripe. The curculio is sometimes called the 

 "Little Turk, " on account of the crescent-shape trade 

 mark it leaves on fruit ; in size, this insect is about 

 three-sixteenths of an inch in length. Remedies : 

 Bordeaux-arsenical mixture sprayed on trees just 

 before blossoms open ; repeat the same after blossoms 

 fall ; repeat, once or twice more, at intervals of a week. 

 Destroy all fallen fruit. Also, a flock of chickens in 

 a plum orchard is a great help. But the surest one 

 remedy is the jarring process. Rig up a cloth-covered 

 frame (like an inverted umbrella) , mount it on wheels, 

 and jar the curculios into it so they can be collected 

 and killed (see picture). The jarring is best done 

 (during the cool of early morn- 

 ing) by tapping the tree briskly 

 with a padded, long-handled 

 mallet. The insects, sluggish 

 with cold or heavy with dew, 

 drop into the frame below, 

 instead of flying away. This jarring process should 

 be repeated every morning or so, as long as the 

 curculios are plentiful. 



Plum gouger : A small snout -beetle without a 

 hump on its back. Much like the curculio in its 

 habits and the effect on the fruit. It punctures the 

 fruit, but does not make a crescent - shape mark. 

 Remedies are the same as advised for curculio. 



Plum scale : Consult Chapter VIII. 



San Jose scale louse : Consult Chapter VIII. 



PRINCIPAL FUNGOUS PESTS. Black knot : See 

 Chapter XI. These dark, warty - looking knots or 

 bunches on branches need prompt attention. 



