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rieties can only be successfully grown on very poor soil. As to the correctness of this 
theory the writer is not prepared to decide, but he is convinced from observation that 
peaches of large size and superior quality can be produced on very thin soil. 
This is a favorable locality for the growing of both peaches and apples, compared 
with the general character of the western country. The under stratum of rocks, kiown 
as the cliff limestone formation, crops out about ten miles above Madison, and dips 
beneath the old red sandstone at New Albany, which latter formation forms the range 
of hills known as the ‘“ Knobs,” aud this peacb-region lies about midway of this cliff 
formation. Of all sections underlain by the cliit stone, where the surface is level for 
any great distance, the soil is necessarily wet, and it is only where the rocks have been 
cut through by the Ohio River and smaller streams that the soil is dry. This dryness 
is on account of the rocks having been exposed to the drying influence of the atmos- 
phere for a long period of time, so that by shrinkage cracks and open fissures have 
been made, leading from side to side of the declivities formed by the river and streams. 
Those cracks afford the most perfect underdrainage, which in process of time has 
changed the nature of the subsoil from a white, tenacious clay to that of a red, friable 
earth, and wherever this kind of subsoil prevails in this formation both peaches and 
apples do well, if properly cared for. It should, however, be understood that the ex- 
cellence of all our improved fruits depends more upon artificial appliances than upon 
any peculiarity in natural causes. This is proven by the fact that we have as great 
extremes of success and failures in this locality as they have elsewhere. 
The points upon which the peach-growers of Otto principally depend for success are 
thorough cultivation, pruning, and worming, and where the crop is excessive thinning 
is practiced. In picking and packing, the fruit is handled with great care. The boxes 
are made of the proper size to hold full measure. In packing, the deceptive practice 
of “ putting the best on the outside” is not allowed. 
RAISING SILK-WORMS IN THE OPEN ATR. 
An experiment in silk-culture of very considerable interest and im- 
portance is now in progress in England, at the international exhibition 
at South Kensington, which is based upon the accepted principle that 
prevention is better than cure. It is known that silk-worms are liable 
to various and sometimes very grievous diseases, attributed, no doubt 
with good reason, to the unnatural condition in which they are reared, 
in unhealthy confinement, and deprived of the influences of the open 
air, so essential to the sound development of all animal life. The infee- 
tion has been for some years universally prevalent in the silk-producing 
districts of Europe, being transmitted from generation to generation, 
producing increasingly debilitated progenies. of worms, till at Jast the 
extermination of that invaluable race of insects and the ruin of the silk- 
growers seemed almost inevitable. Japan was for a time the only source 
of healthy eggs; but large importations from thence into Europe have, 
from some cause, been found to be at least partially diseased. 
In this state of things Dr. Chavannes and M. Roland, in Switzerland, 
have conceived the rational idea of preventing, by simple means, dis- 
eases which science has found to be without cure. Their plan, which 
has been tried in Switzerland with promising results, and is now being 
tested at South Kensington, is merely that of restoring the silk-worm 
to its natural conditions, by rearing it in the open air on the mulberry- 
tree itself, and thus of producing, under circumstances dictated and 
demanded by nature, a healthy, uncontaminated race of silk-worms. 
M. Roland, who appears to bave elaborated this plan very carefully, 
has published a pamphlet containing a treatise upon the subject, in 
which he maintains that ‘* by rearing on the tree, and especially by 
allowing the eggs to remain on the branches throughout the winter, the 
worm becomes more robust, and after some years returns to a state of 
nature. Ultimately the larva has nothing to fear from violent wind, 
heavy rain, or burning sun, and remains firmly fixed on the branches or 
Sc ee tit 
