THE PEACH. 257 



is tender, and the trees are liable to be girdled by even a 

 single worm. Safety lies only in personal examination and 

 removal with the knife, in Fall and Spring (September and 

 April). In April of the fourth year, bank up to the height of 

 from ten to twelve inches, pressing the iWvt firmly around the 

 tree. A little dirt should be added each successive Spring. 

 It is not only a preventive, but a great saving of labor." 

 (We think for trees four or five years old, mounds from eight 

 to ten inches high, or of the size of tobacco or sweet potato 

 hills, are quite sufficient to prevent the deposit of eggs near 

 the tender part of the crown of the roots — above that, the 

 tree is not vulnerable). 



This banking system is practiced (near Cincinnati, Ohio) 

 by E. A. Thompson and others to an extent that most farm- 

 ers would hardly undertake. They cut back their trees when 

 one year planted. They plant their trees in the Fall, and in 

 the Spring following, cut them back to six inches above the 

 bud. The tree then, instead of having one body, has seve- 

 ral — from three to six. The second summer, they plow both 

 ways, taming the furrows towards the trees. The men fol- 

 low with shovels, throwing the loose soil around the trees to 

 the height of about one foot. In the Fall, the trees are again 

 cut back, taking oif about one-third of the year's growth. 

 The next Spring or Summer the same method is pursued, 

 which raises the mound about one foot higher ; then cut back 

 in the Fall, and the third Summer repeat the process, raising 

 the mound another foot, which finishes the job. The mound 

 will then be about three feet high at its apex and six feet in 

 diameter at its base. The mounding may be done in the 

 Fall, when the hurry is over. The dirt is never taken away 

 from the trees — in fact, it cannot be removed without injury 

 to the tree, for the young rootlets each year keep climbing 

 up through this mound and form a mass of healthy roots. 

 Now for the benefits: First, they have no trouble with the 

 grub, or borer ; he must have air and light, and the mound is 

 too much for him ; he comes out and that is the last of him. 

 They never worm their trees or hunt for the borer, and more 

 healthy or thrifty orchards than theirs cannot be found. 

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