NEW MODE OF BATTLING THE PEACH- WORM. 



it produces its flowers or fruit, it is an object of great interest, and a source of much specula 

 tion to the experimenter; more mind is in the work, than in ordinary gardening — greater 

 skill is required — more correct habits of observation, and a more intimate and extensive 

 knowledge of cause and effect. And not only may the pursuit be recommended as a refin- 

 ed am^'oraent, or for the pleasure it is capable of aflbrding, but it may be recommended 

 as a commercial speculation. There is, doubtless, ample room for improvement yet — more 

 valuable varieties of fruit than any we now possess, will yet be obtained, and to say noth- 

 ing of the pleasures of hope to be enjoj^ed by the way, there is a fair prospect of ultimate- 

 ly receiving an adequate return for the time and labor expended. Within twelve years 

 from the time of proving the fruit, an improved variety might be introduced into every 

 garden of the United States, and in a country where fruit growing is a matter of so much 

 imjiortance, it must be a soui'ce of gratification to the successful experimentalist, to be con- 

 scious, that even by his amusements he may have contributed to some extent, to the wel- 

 fare of his country and fellow men. Johx Townlet. 



Port Hope, Columbia Co., Wis., Jan., 1851. 



]\Iany thanks to our new correspondent in Wisconsin. We recognise him as a well 

 known cultivator, who has seen the best practice on the other side of the Atlantic, and 

 shall be glad to hear from him again. Ed. 



NEW MODE OF BATTLING THE PEACH-WORM. 



BY J. C. WRIGHT, SCOTTSVILLE, VA. 



A. J. Downing, Esq. — I noticed some time ago, in your book on Fruits and Fruit Trees 

 of America, an article on the subject of planting fruit trees, in which you advise that the 

 trees should be so set in the ground as to bring the upper roots on a line with the sur- 

 face of the earth. I liked the suggestion much, and in setting out a number of young 

 plums and peach trees, I adopted it. I have, however, suflfered greatly from the destruc- 

 tive little grub which attacks the collar or root of peach and plum trees, and had tried 

 various means which had occurred to me as re- 

 medies, such as unslacked or powdered lime, 

 ashes, tobacco, hot lye, and pot-ash — all I 

 found to be inefficient. Last may I gave my 

 trees a thorough over hauling, or examination, 

 and found an incalculable number of these 

 grubs at their work of destruction and death 

 about the collar and roots. I then tried anoth- 

 er experiment, which I found to answer the 

 purpose admirably, so far. It is as fol- 

 io \vs : 



I commenced by removing the earth from 

 around the roots, as is exhibited by the annexed 

 figure, so as to form a circle round the tree, 

 and make a basin of a foot in width, and four 

 inches deep. I then procured a quantity of rock 



TOP SURFACE; 



iV ,/',, V wvor GRguMt 



and slacked it, reducing it to the consistency of very thick white-wash, and after 

 stand in this state for a day, I poured it into this basin, completely filling 



No. IV. 



