NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



137 



The Plum-Tree. 



Curculio in different Stages. 



THE CURCULIO. 



1. Curculio in the perfect or beetle state. 



2. Its assumed form when disturbed, or shaken from the 



tree. 



3. Larva, or worm, as found in the fallen fruit. 



4. Pupa, or chi-ysalis form, in which it lives in the 



ground. 



The curculio {Rhynchccrus nenuphar') is one of the 

 most insidious and destructive insects that the cul- 

 tivator of fruits has to encounter. It attacks the 

 plums soon after the fruit sets, puts its crescent mark 

 upon it, in which it deposits its egg, which soon 

 hatches, and the worm destroys the fruit. A great 

 deal may be said of this insect, and of remedies 

 against it ; but our object at present is to introduce 

 the remarks of Dr. Eastburn Sanborn, of Andover, 

 which were made at the close of the discussion at 

 the agricultural meeting, April 3. 



Dr. S. said, that he had made various experiments 

 in order to learn the habits of this insect, and to 

 find a remedy, if possible. He collected many 

 insects, and placed them in glass jars, some of four 

 quarts capacity. To these jars a balloon or globe 

 was attached, composed of gauze over a wire frame ; 

 the ends of the wire were fastened into a cork, fitted 

 to the jar, through which a large hole was made, 

 affording the insects the advantage of air, light, and 

 exercise by iiying in the balloon. The jars were 

 half filled Avith earth, and plums, pears, and apples, 

 stung by the curculio, were deposited in them. 



In due time, they hatched, and went through the 

 several stages, and the doctor examined their habits 

 very closely both night and day. When the maggot 

 left the fruit, it crawled into the earth, on the out- 

 side next to the jar, afi"ording an excellent opportu- 

 nity for observation. It descended to the bottom, 

 where it remained, as near as he could recollect, 

 about six weeks, when it was changed into the pupa 

 state. 



As the earth became dry in August, water was 

 poured into the jar to moisten it, and the insect was 

 soon changed into the perfect state ; and they ascend- 

 ed, filling the balloon and fiying about in every di- 

 rection. He showed them to his friends, and found 

 that but very few people could recognize these insects. 

 He had also placed infected apples in the jar, but the 

 apple Avorra did not go into the earth. 



The doctor recommended jarring the trees, in 

 order to free them fi-om this insect, which he found 

 to be very subtle. When approached, it rolls itself 



up, (see figure 2, in the cut,) assuming the appear- 

 ance of the bud of whatever tree it is on ; and if an 

 attempt is made to take hold of it, it suddenly rolls 

 to the ground, where it cannot be found. After all 

 danger is passed, it flics again to the tree. He had 

 placed a boai'd under a plum-tree, and scarcely any 

 plums were stung over the board, as instinct had 

 taught this insect not to lay its eggs where its 

 young could not burrow in the earth beneath. A 

 smooth, hard surface, under the tree, was a protection 

 against the ravages of this insect. Dr. S. made these 

 remarks with a view of showing, in some measure, 

 the habits of the curculio, and leading to further in- 

 vestigation. 



PREPARATION AND PLANTING OF APPLE 

 SEED. 



" How should apple seeds be prepared for plant- 

 ing, and what is the proper time and manner of 

 planting?" As to the preparation of seeds, see 

 p. 33 of this volume. Sow apple seeds as soon 

 as the land is dry enough to work. Sometimes 

 they sprout so early that it is necessary to select 

 rather drj' land, and plant very soon after the frost is 

 out of the ground. We put our seeds of fruit trees 

 into an ice box, as soon as the weather benomes 

 warm, in spring, to prevent their sprouting till the 

 land is dry enough to work, or we can conveniently 

 attend to it, as we have much to do at this busy 

 season ; ■ and we prefer planting some kinds on moist 

 land. Sow apple seeds in drills, and cover as corn or 

 other seeds. The drills may be from fifteen to thirty 

 or forty inches apart, according to the mode of culti- 

 vation. 



NEW VARIETY OF FLAX. 



It is stated in the Ohio Cultivator, that Mr. Samuel 

 Myers, near New Lisbon, cultivates a new variety of 

 flax, which yields an unusual quantity of seed, and 

 is valuable when flax is cultivated exclusively for 

 seed, and it is said to be superior for oil. The stalk 

 is short, and the lint is of but little value. 



To KEEP Birds from Fiiuits. — Suspend, in the 

 trees or vines, pieces of looking-glass by a string, so 

 as to turn freely in every direction. No bird will 

 come near, after a first trial or so, unless very tame. 



