PEACHES. 279 



with curl-leaf in the peach orchard, asserts that there is 

 but one cause for this malformation of the leaves (a fun- 

 goid growth), and that is, that the bark of the tree is too 

 close, and fits so tightly that the sap can not circulate 

 freely, and hence the leaves are not properly nourished. 

 He recommends an up-and-down cut through the bark of 

 the trunk and main branches with a sharp knife, and de- 

 clares that in a few days after this is done all signs of curl- 

 leaf will disappear from all the younger leaves, and appear 

 no more. If the tree is watched carefully, and the bark 

 split when needed, curl-leaf will be prevented. Another 

 remedy is to wash the trunk and branches with lime. 



Standing still, very slow, or very rapid growth are as- 

 signed as the cause of tight bark, and consequent curl- 

 leaf. 



By observing these simple directions for the care and 

 fertilizing of peach trees, the most veritable novice may 

 have a fine, thrifty, and paying orchard, and we trust 

 that a few years hence Florida will be as celebrated for 

 her early peaches as she is now for her delicious oranges. 

 Here is a sample of what has been, and can be done 

 again, in this line of industry. 



In Chambers County, Ala., near the Georgia line, is the 

 largest peach orchard in the world, embracing two hundred 

 and fifty acres of this luscious fruit, of which over eighty 

 thousand dollars worth have already been sold. It is 

 owned and cultivated by Mr. John Parnell, brother of 

 the leader of the Irish Land League. Some twelve years 

 ago he bought an old worn-out cotton plantation, and con- 

 verted it into one immense peach orchard ; his fruit is al- 

 ways the first in the market, bringing almost fabulous 

 prices. 



Mr. Parnell is coining an immense fortune out of his 

 peach orchard, and there is no reason why Florida can not 

 do as well as Alabama in the cultivation of this fruit. 



