Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-04-25
VOL. jO....NO. II.
HprieulturdI,
From the N. r. Farmer.
HOW TO RAISE PLUMS.

HOW III RAISE GEuMS.
Sir In the last number Of the New Genesec
Farmer, there is beautiful chronological article
on the character and habits Of the eureuiio--a de-
structive insect tina, destroys plums that are not
half developed In consequence OF the insidious
and instructive operations OF the plum weevil this
kind Of frui, is really very dear in New Eng.
land, and unless some certain method is speedily
devised for protecting the tree from the deprcda.
tons OF this insect, good pums canno, be raised.
have had some experience in regard the intiu.
cnce Of marine atmosphere in warding of the ut
tack Of the curculio, and am disposed 10 believe
that Islands on the Atlantic Shore, are decidedly
the best places for planting plum trees. Many
years ago an old estate was demolished in Sum.
mer street, the garden of which had old plum trees
The executor made me present OF two Of them, il
taken immediate ly away. The ground wa, FRO
zen hard, aud the roots were necessarily very
compactly secured in a pcrf,c, wheel OF frozen
earth In word the trees were in n profound
winter slumbcr, and in that condition transported
in bolt to Rainsford Island, down the harbor.--
Being well set out, in the spring they awoke, like
| Mrlrvng's Dltchman, from long sleep, without
being at III conscious Of change:of locality. They
blossomed fully and bore tremendous crop of
rich, luscious fruit, and have continued TO do so
every year since, undlsturbed by the wecvil--
Last season, the wind shook off the plums when
about half grown, but the curcuo seems not 10
have an abiding place where the atmosphere is
imprcghatcd with salt as strongly asi, is on Islands
A large number of thrifty trees of different varic.
ties, are now doing exceedingly well at the same
place. But the great point is, the successful cul-
tivaon of the plum in the ln,erior-or in fac. ev-
ervwhere
In the early pnrt of last August, was invited 10
examine Judge Longworth's celebrated garden, in
the city of Cincinnati Mr. Longworth the son,
very kindly pointed on, the objects of most inter-
est, as we passed along. BY and by we came to
a cluster offlll bearing plum trees The sight
was quite different from the scanty crops | had
been accustomed 10 see in the ncighborhood of
Boston He remarked that for years in success
ion. although they blossomed splendidIy,the young
fruit had invariably been ruined by the curcuo.
and no, specimen, therefore, of the fruit could
be Obtained Utterly discouraged with such posi-.
tive bad luck brick pavement that extended from
the house, near the trees was carried out entirely
beyond them; for convenient purposes; but had
not been done before, for fear OF injuring or
interfering with the functions of those peculiar
trees AS they had not perfected their fruit lowing to
the unremted annual vistations of the curculio
nothing was to be lost by carrying out the bricks
r quite beyond them. They are spared, in fact, as
understand it, merely because they are grown and
ornamental, not on account Of their productive
qualities
The year following, to their astonishment
they rpened splendid yield of plums, and
have CONTINUED to produce in the same way ever
since
Mr. Longworlh assured me that the curcuio,
|, the habits of which be had philosophically inves
tigated, would not venture upon a tree, from
whence when they dropped they could not in.
. santly burrow in The earth. Again under
pavement they never conceal themselves In a
word they assuredly avoid tree thusmurrally
r protected.
Accidentally therefore, sure mode of keeping
, off the pIum-weevil has been discovered, that is
ehectual in Cincinnati and the same law enfor
. ced inMassnchuses, would nnquesionably pro-
Z duce the same gratifying results AT all events,
the process is exceedingly simple, and within the
reach OF every farmer and gardener. He must
be exceedingly deficient in construclivencss, who
i cannot pave round the trunk Of tree with stones
or brick-the outer border of which should extend
as far as the limbs happen to sprend
Hoping Mr. Editor, that these observations NAV
: lead some of your readers to initiate the plan
: have been describing, it would afford me unfeign.
ed qualification to ascertain at some future day,
that the plum trees Of this region have been made
!, profitable by my suggestions.
Very respectfully your obi serv't,
!, Boston, April 2, 1874. " G. SMITH.