A. E. Verrill — The Bermuda Islands. 639 



According to Lefroy, this infection .and destruction of the trees 

 took place about 1864. At the time that he wrote (1884) he stated 

 that scarcely a healthy tree was to be found.* Perhaps the insect 

 was the peach-tree borer [JEgeria, or Sannina, exitiosa). The Ber- 

 muda peach is said to have been first raised from Madeira seed, at 

 St. David's Island, by Lieut. Lang. 



There is no reason why the peach should not again be cultivated 

 with success, by using modern methods of combating insects and 

 fungous diseases. Some American varieties tried by Lefroy did not 

 bear fruit. Probably those varieties from the southern United 

 States or Madeira would be most likely to succeed. 



The Apricot, Nectarine, Sweet Almond, and the Plum liave been 

 planted by Lefroy and others, but generally without much success. 

 Usually they do not produce fruit, though in some cases they have 

 done so. Probably those varieties best suited to the climate were 

 not obtained, in many cases. Further trials, with southern varieties, 

 might succeed. The Apple and Pear do not succeed well, though a 

 few of each have been raised, mostly as curiosities. They usually 

 blossom, but seldom mature much fruit. The Apple blossoms in 

 February and March. Those that I saw were generally planted in 

 soil that was too shallow and sandy for such trees, but probably 

 they require a longer winter rest than the climate permits. 



Quince. (Cydonia vulgaris Pers.) 



Flowers in April and May. Not uncommon and produces con- 

 siderable fruit in moist soil, but the trees remain small and scrubby. 



Loquat; Japan Medlar. (Photitiia, or JEriobotrya, Japonica Lind.) 



Introduced about 1850, from Malta, by Governor Reid. It is now 

 common and bears abundant fruit of good qualit} r . Flowers about 

 September, and the fruit is ripe from January to March. 



Strawberry. (Fragaria Yirginiana Duch.) 



Cultivated to some extent and often produces excellent fruit. The 

 plants require to be renewed every two years. The fruit ripens 

 about the first of January, sometimes earlier. With proper care and 

 by using the most suitable varieties, large crops could undoubtedly 

 be obtained. At present those used at the hotels are mostly 

 imported. 



The Raspberry has been repeatedly tried, but does not nourish. 



* The real Peach-fly (Ceratilis vapii«it() is a small dipterous fly that infests 

 the fruit only. 



