290 MANUAL OF FRUIT DISEASES 



drooping inclination, while the Crawford has a short, wide, 

 crescent-shaped leaf which stands at right angles to the twig. 



The first evidences of little-peach appear comparatively 

 late in the growing season. It is still evident late in 

 September. The fruit, instead of ripening prematurely as in 

 the case of yellows, remains small and ripens about ten days 

 later than is normal for the variety. The flavor of affected 

 fruit is inferior, although the color may be as desirable as in 

 healthy fruit. The flesh is characterized as stringy, especially 

 in the case of early clingstone varieties. The pits of such fruits 

 are smaller and shriveled, and almost invariably fail to sprout. 

 Leaves on affected trees exhibit a light or yellowish green color, 

 and those at the base and through the center of the tree show 

 a rolled and drooped aspect. In severe cases all leaves on a 

 tree show this symptom. This calls to mind certain stages 

 of the yellows with which the little-peach disease may be 

 confused, and unless the tree is bearing fruit at the time of the 

 diagnosis it is difficult to determine which disease is present. 

 However, the distinction between the two troubles is of no 

 practical importance, and neither yellows nor little-peach is 

 likely to be confused with other diseases. It is difficult to 

 detect little-peach in young trees, but a possible character has 

 been suggested, namely, a decided erect growth of numerous 

 short twigs. Affected trees usually die within three or four 

 years after infection. 



Summarizing the prominent symptoms of little-peach, the 

 following should be noted : the fruit remains small, about 

 one-half or one-third its usual diameter, it ripens about ten days 

 later than normal fruit, and possesses a bitter flavor and a 

 stringy flesh ; the leaves are small, light to yellowish green, and 

 droop or incurve to some extent. 



Cause. 



This phase of little-peach has been the subject of no little 

 investigation, but practically no progress has been made. The 



