PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 71 



take pride in a knowledge of agricultural matters, and attend meetings and 

 shows, and are respected highly, for their influence is very beneficial. 



I have, however, not come to the conclusion that this is the best way to 

 employ females. 



There is work upon a farm that women can do, such as making butter 

 and cheese, raising poultry, &c. 



I think it very meritorious when women can take charge of a farm, in 

 case of the death of the husband; but, as a general thing, our women are 

 opposed to anything that relates to the labor of the farm, 



CuRCULio Remedies. 



Mr. Carpenter. — I understand that Mr. Henry Cox, of Manhasset, L. I., 

 has raised several crops of plums by pursuing the following method. 

 Before the fruit has set he makes a tre^ch around the tree, cements its 

 sides and bottom, and keeps it filled with water. 



Mr. Pardee. — This plan I know was tried at Palmyra, N. Y., and failed. 



Dr. Trimble. — The curculio is a flying insect. I cannot see the use of 

 encircling the tree with water. These pests are now at work upon the 

 pears; I caught a bottle full yesterday. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — Mr. Cox undoubtedly gets good crops of plums, 

 whether the water keeps the curculio oft' or not. 



The Curl in the Leaves of Peach Trees. 



Mr. Peter G. Bergen, of Long Island, exhibited specimens of this disease, 

 which is now very prevalent, and asked for the cause and a remedy. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — I am glad that Mr. Peter G. Bergen has introduced 

 this subject, because his theorj' always has been that the disease was caused 

 by cold easterly storms. Now, as we have had no such storms this spring, 

 and the curl is as bad as ever, that theory must fail. With me the storm 

 theory never was tenable, because the disease is a new one, that has only 

 been very troublesome about twenty years, while easterly storms are con- 

 siderably older, and I can remember when we used to have storms and 

 peach crops the same year. Currant leaves curl too, sometimes, and upon 

 them I have often observed a green insect, and I suspect that it is an 

 insect that causes the peach curl, notwithstanding we are told that a large 

 magnifjnng glass fails to discover any. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — I am of opinion that the leaves have been stuno- 

 by some insect. 



Protecting Fruit from Insects. 



Mr. Carpenter. — I see on the table some ornamental wren houses. Thej'- 

 are made by Mr. John H. Mead, in Ann street. I think we should encour- 

 age the raising of wrens; they are great insect consumers. 



Mr. Ptobinson. — When I was a boy we used to make wren houses out of 

 gourds. A cheap house is made by taking a piece of two inch drain tile, 

 stop one end up with clay, and place them up in the trees. These boxes 

 are vciy pretty, and would be more ornamental to a gentleman's place 



