288 GARDENING FOK PLEASURE. 



water, syringed on the trees every other day for fifteen 

 days, beginning the operation as the flower begins to 

 drop, as it is just when the fruit is forming that the in- 

 sect deposits its egg. No danger need be apprehended 

 from the small quantity of the poison used, as it will bo 

 all washed from the fruit long before it ripens. Another 

 remedy, which will effectually save a crop in the districts 

 infested by this insect, is to jar the tree in the morning 

 or in cool days, first spreading sheets under the trees to 

 catch the weevils, after which they may be burned. If 

 this is begun as soon as the Plums are formed, and per- 

 sisted in every few days until they are ripe, a large share 

 of the crop may be saved. This may be thought to be 

 paying rather dear for a crop of Plums, but it is really 

 the only way it can be secured. Many years ago the crop 

 of a Plum orchard under my charge, numbering over a 

 hundred large trees, was saved by this process, while all 

 other Plums in the district, where the jarring of the trees 

 was not resorted to, were completely destroyed. This 

 plan was recommended nearly half a century ago, and no 

 other practicable method has been presented until the 

 recent use of Paris Green, applied as already described. 

 It has been recommended by some to plant the trees on 

 the bank of a pond or running stream, and train them to 

 overhang the water ; also to pave or cement around the 

 roots, so that the insect cannot burrow; but these plans 

 would be often impossible, and are practically useless in 

 general culture. Trees upon stiff, clayey soils are more 

 exempt from the ravages of the Curculio than those upon 

 light ones, probably for the reason that the insect in the 

 grub or larvae state cannot penetrate them so readily, as 

 they must enter the ground to become perfect insects. 

 The average distance at which the Plum may be planted 

 is from ten to twelve feet. The following are distinct 

 and fine sorts. 



Smith's Orleans. Color purple, with a rich blue 



