DECAY OF THE PEACH TREE. 



In estimating the power and extent of the operation of these causes, it should be recol 

 Iccted that an injurious impression acting constantly upon successive generations, of either 

 animal or vegetable species, may ultimately establish an hereditary entailment, that may 

 be propagated in the form of predispositon to disease, or disease itself. The converse is 

 equally true in producing health or physical development. 



These several causes have been exerting their influences on the peach tree for a long 

 term of years — impairing the stamina and health of its fruit germs. These impressions 

 have been propagated and repropagated, in conjunction with the action of the primary 

 causes of impairment, till at length we have only a sickly progeny. 



If this view be correct, we have two indications to fulfil in working a cure. 



First. To withdraw or counteract the primary causes of impairment. 



Second. To propagate only from healthy pits. 



Let us begin with perhaps the main cause — 



Mgeria or Borer. — This depredator can only be assailed with succccs by preventing the 

 deposition of the egg into the crown of the root, or by the destruction of the larvae after 

 it has hatched. Embankments of earth, lime, ashes, tobacco, &c., have been tried for 

 these purposes, but with not very perfect success. During a late tour to the eastern states, 

 I had an opportunity of seeing the results of the use of a remedj^ devised by E. M. Posr- 

 ERor, Esq., of Wallingford, Conn. He seems to have found an application which is sure 

 to prevent the perfect insect from layingher eggs in the crown of theroot.s — the only point 

 at which it can exist and do injury — and is equally certain to destroy the larvae which 

 may have already'- commenced their career of destruction. The cost and labor of its use 

 are very trifling. Further trials are necessary, to test its certainty. As the discoverer 

 has laid his claims before the Commissioner of Patents, at Washington, I shall say nothing 

 more in regard to it — only expressing the belief that it will prove successful. 



The second cause, exhaustion of the soil, must be corrected by the aid of agricultural 

 chemistry. Lime, ashes, bone-dust, salt, barn and poultry manure, &c., empirically ap- 

 plied, will generally correct the evil. No tree pays better for high feeding than the peach, 

 on a silicious soil. 



The third cause, the j^phis, seems to be beyond control where it exists in large orchards. 

 It may be destroyed on a few trees by whale-oil soap-suds, and tobacco water. . 



The fourth cause, the Yellows, I must leave for the investigation and management of 

 those among whom it occurs. Fortunately, little is known of it in Ohio. For the purpose 

 of propagating healthy stocks, pits of the peach should be obtained from sections of the 

 countrj^ Avhere this diseased condition does not prevail. J. P. K. 



Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1851. 



PiEMARKS. — Professor Kirtland's remarks are closely to the point, and are particular- 

 ly well tuned. We pointed out, five jgrts ago, that the peach tree was becoming enfee- 

 bled by bad cultivation, and careless propagation — and the fact cannot be too strongly 

 urged upon nurserymen and orchardists. In fact, the peach has hitherto been cultivated 

 so carelessly, that to an European fruit-grower it M^ould not be called cultivation at all — 

 only a downright abuse of the natural powers of the tree. It is, however, leading to the 

 inevitable result of artificial degeneracy, and henceforth it will require something like at- 

 tention and care to produce good peaches. Ed. 



