344 THE FLORIST AND 



which supply ingredients largely used by the grape, refuse charcoal is very 

 effective in preserving a proper degree of porosity. A covering of six or 

 eight inches of half rotted manure may then«be spread on the surface, which 

 will enrich the soil, and prevent frost from injuring the roots. 



Orange and Lemon trees, should receive very little water from this until 

 spring, when the wood is properly ripened, and the soil kept comparatively 

 dry, a few degrees of frost will do -them no harm. If kept in a cellar no 

 water will be required, unless, as we have observed in some cases they are- 

 placed near a furnace in order to keep them warm. This kindness, however, 

 is entirely misplaced. A close cellar is sufficient, fire heat is more injurious 

 then beneficial, but where the plants are unavoidably set near heat, on oc- 

 casional watering will be required, to supply the evaporation from the leaves. 



' ••■' " , ft B." 



SAVE YOUR PLUMS— THE CURCULlO CONQUERED ! 



Editors: — I find by experiment that the curculio, that curse of all plum 

 trees, can easily be conquered. . The little fellow is not so bold as some 

 imagine. If he were large enough perhaps his own shadow would affrighten 

 him. Although so small an insect, he has a keen eye, and can discern an 

 object. I have heard it observed that plum trees growing near a door or 

 path, that is frequently passed, would be exempt from the curculio. We 

 conclude that this object passing the tree keeps them at bay. 



For several years past I have let the curculio have liis own way ; and he 

 has taken every plum for his own use and behoof. But I came to the con- 

 clusion last spring, that the little imps were rather too selfish and greedy — 

 that I would put in for a share with them; I procured cotton batting — put 

 3 circles, 6 to 12 inches apart, around each tree; for several mornings I 

 "smudged" the trees with ashes, as recommended; two trees, of the 'same 

 variety standing some 3 rods apart, treated as above, each tree will set with 

 plums; on one of those trees I suspended a piece of white cotton cloth, 

 about half a yard square, in this way ; — Shave out a rod as long as your 

 cloth is wide, tack one edge of the cloth to the rod, suspend it from a limb 

 of the tree, at the centre of the rod, and a little breeze of wind will keep 

 the flag in motion, and the little rebels will quit the field. On two other 

 trees I suspended newspapers which had the same effect, but the rain and 

 wind will soon displace the papers — cloth is best. 



The result is, those, three trees promise a good yield of. sound plums, 

 while all the others are destroyed — not one remains on the trees. 



L. Norris. — In Farmer's Companion. 



