some one the time, expense and disappointment I have experienced in the last four or five years, in following out the hundred and one remedies in guarding against the attacks of the Curculio. Last year I varied my mode of warfare by spreading a thick coat of cement on the ground under thirty-five plum trees, extending it to the full size of the tops of the tree. As soon as the plum made its appearance from the blossom, say about the 10th of May, I commenced jarring the trees every morning and evening, and continued to do so, until the 1st of August, and as the insects fell upon the cement, killed them. The first three weeks, the average number was not far from fifty per day. From the first of June to the 20th, nearly one hundred per day; after which time they gradually diminished. Now for the result: From the thirty-five plum trees, comprising fifteen different varieties, I saved only about two bushels. It is argued by many that this insect has great instinctive powers, and will not deposit its egg, where the fallen fruit is likely to encounter a pavement. I know nothing about your eastern or northern Curculios, but I can assure you Mr. Editor, no such repugnance is felt or known by this insect in Missouri, and further, that no pavement ever invented, where Curculios are numerous, will guard against their attacks, unless extended to every fruit tree in the garden or orchard. It is wholly inconsistent with the nature and habits of this insect, to suppose that paving under a few trees will protect the fruit, while others, near by, are unpaved, for the simple reason that the Curculio attacks nearly every description of fruit. The nectarine and plum are their favorites, but the apple, pear, peach, apricot, cherry and grape are all subject to their attacks, and all serve absolutely as a means of reproduction. I have taken the above mentioned fruits separately, placed each in different boxes of earth, and from four to six weeks the change from larva to the perfect Curculio would be complete. There are three distinct species of this insect, one smaller, the other larger than the plum Curculio. The small one is nearly round, about half the size of the plum Curculio, and is mostly found upon grapes. The other is full a half size larger with a smooth shell and are not so numerous as either of the other kinds. Both of these insects, instead of making the well known crescent mark of the plum Curculio, perforate the fruit by boring a small round hole, in which they deposit their eggs with the same certainty of destroying it, as the plum Curculio. During the time of jarring the trees, not a day passed without finding more or less of the two new species above described, in about the following proportion: Plum Curculio 25, Small do. 8, Large do. 3. At the proper season of the year, by watching their movement patiently, large numbers will be seen emerging from the ground, and after surveying their position, will follow the instinct with which nature has endowed them, by crawling up the tree instead of flying. I have often checked their progress in this way by putting a thick piece of pastboard around the tree in the shape of an inverted funnel, but their wings were soon brought into requisition to overcome the difficulty. They can apparently fly to a great distance, and in high winds are blown in every direction, for after such winds I have found them in different rooms in the first and second story of the house. Your readers will naturally say, all this is very well, but give us a remedy that will effectually guard against the enemy. I can safely say, there is a remedy, and a philosophical one, which, if faithfully carried out, will insure good crops of fruit so far as Curculio are concerned. First, then, cut off all means of reproduction by picking up every description of fallen fruit two or three times a week, and subjecting it to some process that will effectually destroy the grub or larva. No advantage will be derived from this process the first year, for the curculio is already in the ground; but the satisfaction of having a good crop of plums the second year, will well repay for all the trouble of picking up the fruit. I have studied the character and habits of these insects for the last ten years have watched its movements for days and weekshave tried every remedy published in the different agricultural works, all of which have totally failed, except jarring the trees, and paving, and these have only proved partially successful. By picking up every description of fallen fruit no possible means are left for them to perpetuate their species. I am not aware that it has ever yet been discovered, that the Curculio can in any other way propagate its species, than by depositing its eggs in some description of fruit-and whatever description of fruit that may be, it must come in contact with earth in such a manner that the grub can escape, and bury itself beneath the surface. No one can reasonably expect to be entirely exempt from this insect, as long as their neighbors are troubled with them, for some few will fly, or be blown into the trees under any and every circumstance, unless completely shielded by some covering or net work. The most complete and accurate description of this insect, according to my own observations has been given by M. H. Simpson, of Massachusetts, in the June number of Downing's Horticulturist for 1850. In this communication a remedy was given to guard against the Curculio, which proved eminently successful with Mr. Simpson and a Mr. Young of Kentucky, viz. syringing the trees with lime water. This remedy I have never tried. STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN VESSELS, WITH THEIR TONNAGE, WHICH ENTERED INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES, DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1850. STATEMENT OF THE ENTRANCES OF AMERICAN & FOREIGN VESSELS-CONTinued. STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE NATIONAL CHARACTER OF THE FOREIGN VESSELS WHICH ENTERED INTO AND CLEARED FROM THE UNITED STATES, FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES, DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1850. STATEMENT EXHIBITING THE NUMBER OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN VESSELS, WITH THEIR TONNAGE, WHICH ENTERED INTO EACH DISTRICT OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1850. Passamaquoddy Tons. No. 9.257 Tons. 58.453 ...... 332 5 .... Bath ...... Saco Boston Bristol Waldoborough Bangor Portland .... .... Salem and Beverly ...... ...... Marblehead ...... ...... Fall River ...... ........... Newport.. Middletown...... .... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ............ .... ...... ...... ....... ...... .......... |