51 
this is the pertinent question: Does it not seem conclusively to show 
that when this great western region, the timbered portion of it, was, we 
may say, one vast Plum thicket, that there were then plums enough to 
hold the Plum Ourculio entirely in check? And, further, does it not 
also show conclusively that if we now plant a sufficient number of these 
plum trees to produce fruit for the beetles to feed on and lay all of 
their eggs in, and such eggs do not hatch, as we have seen, that they, 
the plums, will again reduce its numbers below the point of practical 
injury, and in this way protect all our other fruit from its depreda- 
tions? Again, do not our facts show, that if it is true that the Plum 
Curculio is attracted by these plums early in the season, and being 
there on the plums she will therefore lay her eggs in them exclusively, 
and that by planting these plums unstintedly among and around our 
Peaches, Apples, Cherries, and other fruits liable to injury by her, that 
we will protect these fruits from damage by this beetle? 
We have but one question of importance to answer, which is, Are the 
Native Plums a fruit worthy of extended cultivation? I can answer 
this question emphatically, Yes , they are. They are one of the most cer- 
tain of the fruits in the regularity of their crop, and the yield is usually 
abundant, the fruit wholesome, attractive, and easily gathered, and can 
be shipped any reasonable distance to market. When thoroughly ripe 
it is delicious, eaten in a natural state — that is, some varieties of it j 
others are among the finest of fruits for preparing in the various ways 
known to the culinary art — stewing, canning, drying, preserving in 
sugar, sweet pickling (spicing), &c. And many of the varieties of the 
Northern type will keep perfectly throughout the winter if simply placed 
in an open earthen jar and covered with water. They all make most 
liad some experience with the larvae of this insect, but should scarcely venture to dis- 
criminate between sickly and healthy individuals as Mr. Wier has done. The pre- 
cautions taken to observe and count the beetles emerging from the ground were en- 
tirely insufficient for the purpose, as the tendency to secrete under traps is mani- 
fested chiefly in cool weather in spring. 
Moreover, Mr. Wier’s statements that the planting and cultivating of the Wild Plum 
will protect our peaches, apricots, cultivated plums, &c,, and effect a decrease in the 
numbers of the Curculio, are mere assumptions and contrary to experience. The fact 
that these cultivated fruits were badly infested by the Curculio as soon as they were 
introduced is a sufficient proof that the Curculio shows a decided preference for 
these plants. While we would not discredit the correctness of Mr. Wier’s observa- 
tion that a large proportion of Curculio eggs laid in Wild Plums fail to hatch (be- 
cause they often thus fail in cultivated varieties and in cherries, pears, and apples), 
yet we do not believe this fact has much influence on the general decrease of the Cur- 
culio. The Wild Plums were the original food-plant of the insect and it has “ ex- 
isted as a species ” on this plant from time immemorial. The cultivation of peaches, 
apricots, cherries, &c., simply furnished the means for it to increase, and only the com- 
plete abandonment of their cultivation would re-establish the original relative scar- 
city of the Curculio. The state of affairs would be quite different if Mr. Wier could 
show us how to compel the insect to oviposit in the fruit of the Wild Plum, or could 
even prove by satisfactory scientific evidence the truth of his assertion that it has a 
preference for said wild fruit. — C. V. R. 
