Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-11
FAnM AND noUsEuoLD.

How To RAISE PLuMs.-A corre-
sron3ent OF an agricultural paper says:
"Seven years ago last spring procured
lot of plum trees from nursery and
planted them in an old garden. They
grew very fast. The third year they
nearly all blossomed, but the fruit was
all stung by curculio and dropped of.
The next year they were again full Of
blossoms was told by ncighbor that
If would take slakcd lime and dust the
trees while the dew was on them would
get fruit, but no fruit that year. The
next year tried two other prescribed
relnedies-one was hanging tanzy on the
limbs and stringing corn cobs on the
limbs that had been well soaked i'm mo-
lasses water the sans result, no fruit.
The next year tried the remedy (pre-
scribed by most plum growers the maui
and sheet. In this way saved about
one third crop, and probably would
have saved all had 1t not been for long
rain that kept me out of the orchard for
three or four days. In that time l think
the mischief was mostly done. The last
year / determined TO make one more
effort, as l began TO get discouraged.
We raise good many chickens. put
their coops close to the orchard and
turned in my hogs to root up the ground
and pick up what stung fruit would
drop off; aud then every morning l
scattered wheat screenings under the
trees, and while the chickens were
picking it up went around to every
tree and gave it good jar with heavy
padded maui that. fixed for the pur-
pose. The result last year WAS the fin
est lot of plums that ever saw.
INJURIOUS INsECTS.-The following
notes have been issued the Miss. Ayr.
Experiment Station, by Mr.. 5. L. May
nard. botanist Of that institution:
Cabbage Flea The first insect of i'm
portance that appears is the small black
flea or jumping beetle that attacks the
cabbage, radish, turnip, etc. busting
with Paris green mixed with one hun
bred times It's weight of plaster has
proved an effectual remedy. This must
be done when the plants are wet and
after every rain.
Cut Worms-'rhe cut worms, Of which
there are several species, including the
army worm. work only during the
night and may be destroyed by the same
remedy as the above. We would advise
u trial of pyrethram powder mixed
with five times its bulk of plaster, as
being more safe. although we have no
positive proof that it will be effectual.
Striped Squash Bug.-The striped
squash bug which has been so abundant
for the past two seasons, is best kept in
check by use of plaster and Paris green.
For the family garden the safest and
most satisfactory way to overcome them
is to make bottOmless box twelve in
ches square and six or eight inches deep.
and cover it with mosquito netting.
One Of these boxes placed over hill
until the plants have become tough and
hard, is sure protection.
The Potato Beetle.-The potato beetle
has evidently become permanent res
ideht among us. Paris green extended
with plaster, flour or water, is the only
cheap and easily applied remedy known
at present, but great care must be exer-
cised in its use and especially in the
place where the package is kept, that it
may not get upon the food of animals.
Cabbage Worms.-The cabbage worm,
the Larvae of the common white butterfly
may be easily destroyed in several
ways. That Of hand picking, If begun
before the first brood has passed into its
perfect state, is effectual. We have
also found that pyrethrum powder
mixed with five times its bulk of plaster
and busted into the center OF the leaves
with sulphur bellows, is certain de-
struction to every one of them. The
application of insecticides in liquids to
the cabbage has not been satisfactory on
account OF the peculiar structure of the
leaf surface, which allows the water to
fall off in drops and not adhere to any
part of it. Paris green is unsafe to use
after the leaves have become over four
inches in diameter.
Cmrdnt Worm.-The currant worm
should be destroyed while small, witq
dust Os hellebore or pyrethrum. The
latter being perfectly harmless, is to be
more highly recommended.
Plum Weeril.-There are two certain
methods of capturing the plum weevil
= the first by Earring the tree early in
the morning and catching them upon
sheets stretched below upon frame or
upon the ground, and the second by
placing chicken coops under the trees.
The former method must be attended
to regularly every morning for three
weeks after the plnms have set, and in
the latter case, if the number of trees
lie large, a large flock of chickens will
be required to make that remedy effect
ual.
Apple and peach Borer.-For the de-
struction Of these two insects no sure
remedy has been found except the knsfe.
1t is probable that covering the trunk OF
the tree near the ground with the ink
or tar used to catch the moths of the
canker worm, or wrapping around the
trunk bands of tarred paper, would as
sist in keeping them away.
Three members of my family, says
Mr.. James A. Sample, Cash Room, office