316 THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



other witnesses still living, we may mention Dr. Royle, the celebrated botanist. He has 

 asserted that he was present when the brown matter containing the seeds, and which had 

 been collected in the remains of the skeleton, was presented to Dr. Lindley ; and he further 

 declared that he had no doubt of the truth of what has been said of the germination of seeds 

 preserved under the ground for ages. , 



The deep burial of seeds, therefore, we repeat, is the true and probably the only means 

 of preserving their vitality for an indefinite length of time. We should have tteen happy at 

 this time, if our ancestors of some centuries ago had thought of keeping in reserve for us, in 

 this manner, some seeds on which we could experiment. They did not do it, nor could they, 

 because the minds of that day were not turned towards that kind of observation. But why 

 do not we, whom scientific questions interest to so high a degree, prepare this experiment 

 for our descendants ? This will be an act of foresight for which they will thank us, and 

 who knows ? perhaps which will be a means of transmitting our names to the most distant 

 generations. Florist. 



Culture of the Peach, and the Yellows. 



FOR the last few years the culture of the peach has declined. The "yellows," " blight," 

 peach-worm, and curculio have been singularly destructive. Old orchards are dying out, 

 and comparatively few new ones formed to replace them ; confidence in their successful cul- 

 ture is yearly growing weaker, till in almost every region we travel we are told, "Peaches 

 will not grow with us any more." 



To grow peaches successfully, the aspect of the site of the orchard is of the first import- 

 ance. Contrary to the general idea in favor of a southern exposure, a north-western or 

 western is preferable. Those in a southern aspect seldom bear well over five years, or live 

 over ten ; in any other, there seems to be no limit to their age. Rarely do we meet with a 

 peach-tree on a northern slope stricken with the "yellows," while aged, healthy trees are in- 

 variably found there in perfection. 



Theory confirms this view of the proper site for peach-trees, as well as observation : not 

 being a native of this country, it is, like most exotics, not perfectly adapted to our climate. 

 The sap-vessels of the wood are large, and there is a large amount of moisture stored up in 

 them in the winter season. When these vessels are frozen through, they become particles 

 of ice, and any sudden thaw is apt to burst the cell tissues, if the expansion by freezing has 

 not done it ; so that trees in situations where they are not apt to be suddenly thawed iu 

 winter are more liable to escape injury. In the respect of soil, the peach is not so fastidious 

 as it is often supposed to be. Any kind of loam will suit it as well as "Jersey sand;" and 

 the whole subject may be summed up in the observation, that the peach will do well in any 

 soils except heavy clays or soils retentive of moisture. 



In preparing the ground, if it be of a nature to get very dry in summer-time, it should be 

 trenched eighteen inches in depth, or subsoiled, if the culture is to be carried on to a large 

 extent. Sandy soils will not require the operation. All strong manures are superfluous, if 

 not injurious ; wood-ashes, and in some cases lime in small quantities, have been found 

 beneficial. 



The after-management of the peach is a very simple affair. It consists, in chief, of "letting 

 them alone." If they do not seem vigorous, prune back, or shorten in a little, some of the 

 young shoots; the maxim is sound, If you want wood, prune and "mine out;" if fruit, cut 

 as little as you can. Keep the ground around and about the trees constantly tilled, culti- 

 vated, and clean. 



The writer holds the immediate cause of the "yellows" to be the rapid and constantly 

 varying action of severe frosts and warm suns on the moisture in the tree during winter ; 

 and the predisposing cause, any thing that causes a large supply of moisture to be laid up. 



The circumstance that first caused this train of reasoning was a very simple one : Some 

 five years ago, after a severe winter, a fine specimen of Evonymus japonicus, which for the 

 few seasons before grew very vigorously, pushed forth in a very weak manner. Next year, 

 the leaves were completely yellow, as much so as any peach-tree. The head was then cut 

 away, when the wood was found to be entirely dead, with the exception of two very thin 



