THE CANADIAN HOKTICULTRIST. 5i> 



where the yellows is known to exist, or he may be assured that he is 

 bringing pestilence into his orchard. 



Another source of danger may be overlooked, and that is the im- 

 portation of diseased fruit. Such fruit would be cheap, and therefore 

 the very kind naturally purchased for canning by those unacquainted 

 with its condition ; and from these the pits would in many instances 

 find their way into the hands of some planter. Is there any way ta 

 prevent such fruit from being brought into our country ? Indeed, it 

 is an open question whether government aid ought not to be petitioned 

 in this matter. A rigorous quarantine is observed by our country 

 against diseases of man ; England has an Act prohibiting the importation 

 of diseased cattle, and if the diseases of man and beast may thus be 

 guarded against, why may not something similar be done to save our 

 country from this terrible disease of the peach orchards ? 



The next preventive measure in the hands of the peach grower, 

 after a careful selection of his trees, is (2) the vigilant outlook for the 

 first appearance of the disease in his orchard. As soon as he is 

 assured of the first certain indication of its presence, the orchardist 

 must take immediate action. He must cut out the affected tree, root 

 and branch, and destroy it with fire. 



The best means of overcoming any tendency to this disease in an 

 orchard is probably (3) good cultivation. As in the case of the human 

 system, consumption is warded off' by attention to the rules of health, 

 so will any means that will stimulate the healthy and vigorous growth 

 of the peach tree aid in warding off this disease. No planter should 

 set more trees than he can cultivate well, for no tree sooner shows a 

 stunted growth from lack of attention of this kind than the peach tree. 

 Indeed, we believe that except on very light soils twice each year 

 would not be too often for the soil to be thoriJughly worked up by the 

 use of the plough and harrow ; and for this work the months of May 

 and October may be pointed out as most appropriate. 



We also believe that (4) the shortening in system of pruning is very 

 useful. We have observed that in our own orchard trees so treated live 

 longer, and seem more healthy and vigorous than those allowed to make 

 long and slender growth ; and it is also a subject of remark that this is 

 the method largely practiced on the peach trees in England, and there 

 the yellows has never yet been known to occur. It is a great deal of 

 trouble it is true, especially in large orchards, but "Whatever is worth 



