184 Oil Peach Trees. 



tion than suit the common farmer; and it appears not 

 likely to become an object here on any great scale. I 

 still think, that the disease, so generally fatal (more so 

 tliisyear, than any other in my memory) called the yel- 

 lows ., is atmospherical. Insects^ certainly, are the causes 

 of many injuries and diseases; but they are most fre- 

 quently seen in morbid parts, feculent or putrefying 

 from previous malady; and are effects, rather than 

 causes. I have always considered mildews and blights, 

 as originating in atmospherical taint : yet Sir Joseph 

 Banks asserts, that parasitical yj/w^i, and others affirm 

 that insects^ are their causes. I believe, with much de- 

 ference to authorities so respectable, that \.\\t fungi ori- 

 ginate, and the insects breed, in the morbid juices and 

 extravasated sap, after the plant has become sickly : and 

 I think this to be an opinion most generally received, 

 both as to plants and trees. It is well to guard against 

 both, without taking either opinion for granted. 



I received verbally from a wealthy farmer (Mr. Bel- 

 iah J who is the proprietor of a considerable landed estate 

 in Delaware, the following account; which he says is 

 generally applicable to the culture o^ peach trees, in the 

 southern country. 



" In Kent county Delaware, they cultivate the peach 

 tree without any difficulty or risk. Although the com- 

 mon mode is to plant the young trees grown from the 

 stone, without budding, or engrafting, yet some crack 

 the stones and so plant them ; others take out the ker- 

 nels, and plant them with their corn; dropping two (to 

 ensure one) in a hill, at about twenty-five feet apart, in 

 squares. They tend the corn field in the usual way ; 

 and the young trees grow with the crop, to the height 



