On Peach Trees. 21 



shall have, however, more than I require for myself, my 

 friends, and my foes. I have a superfluity, to afford de- 

 ductions made by plunderers; for whom (from neces- 

 sity) I plant an extra number. The trees now verging to 

 their last stage, are chiefly those set out in the locust 

 year. They have never recovered the wounds, inflict- 

 ed by this most pernicious of all insects. 



Fifteen or sixteen years ago, I lost one hundred and 

 fifty peach trees in full bearing in the course of two 

 summers; by a disease engendered in the first season. 

 I attribute its origin, to some morbid affection in the air, 

 which has the most to do with all vegetation, as well in 

 its food and sustenance, as in its decay and dissolution. 

 The disorder being generally prevalent, would, among 

 animals have been called an epidemic. From perfect 

 verdure, the leaves turned yellow in a few da3's, and 

 the bodies blackened in spots. Those distant from the 

 point of original infection, gradually caught the disease. 

 I procured young trees from a distance, in high health, 

 and planted them among those the least diseased. In 

 a few weeks they became sickly, and never recovered. 

 I took the determination of grubbing up every peach 

 tree, and converted them into fuel. In my own nursery, 

 perceived I should have an hospital of incurables. The 

 young peach trees being generally infected, I cleared 

 the whole of them away. Various kinds of fruit trees, 

 in the same nursery, were not in the least disordered. 

 Trees, like animals, have inherent diseases, or a sus- 

 ceptibility to receive those, peculiar to their species. 

 The peach seems most subject to this tendency; pears 

 are liable to blights from the electric fluid. Iron hoops, 

 old horse shoes &c. hung on these trees, attract and con- 



