202 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



MALADIES. The maladies to which the peach tree is 

 subject are, 



1st. The Curculio. For the remedies for this, see IN- 

 SECTS, in the former part of this work. 



2d. The worm which feeds on the sap-wood beneath 

 the bark, principally near the surface of the earth. 



The worm is produced by a fly which, from the middle 

 of June to the first of August, deposits its eggs on the 

 bark of the tree, generally at its root, where the bark is 

 tender. These are soon hatched, and the worm shortly 

 penetrates beneath the bark, where it commences its work 

 of destruction, devouring the sap-wood often around the 

 whole circumference of the tree, causing the gum to exude, 

 and often death. 



Much has been written and said of this insect ; yet the 

 prevention is very easy, provided there is a necessity for 

 it, which is not the case in all soils and situations. It 

 seems with us only an occasional evil, and the remedies 

 are seldom required. Whenever serious suspicions arise, 

 let every tree be carefully searched at the surface of the 

 earth, and the worm destroyed by probing with a pen- 

 knife or pointed wire. A bout the beginning of June, form 

 around the trunk of the tree a small conical mound, to the 

 height of eight inches or a foot above the natural surface 

 of the earth. Unleached ashes, which might be preserved 

 for this purpose, are, without doubt, the best and most 

 useful substance, and each tree will require about a peck. 

 Charcoal, broken small, has been recommended; also cin- 

 ders from the blacksmith's forge, to be placed around the 

 trunk for protection. But any thing else, even a small, 

 conical mound of soil, is found to answer. The design of 

 this is, to protect that portion of the tree where the bark 

 is most tender. Let this mound be levelled in October, and 

 the bark will harden again beneath where it was placed. 

 I am inclined to believe the potash wash, before described, 

 would answer every purpose, as it does with the apple tree, 

 if applied at the suitable time, also the wash recommended 

 by Mr. Lindley. I have already stated, in Section XII. of 

 the former part of this work, that in those soils thus in- 

 fested, refuse tobacco has been applied around the trunk 

 of the tree and at its foot, the effluvium of which has been 

 found effectual in preventing the attacks of the grub. 

 Poudrette has also been applied around the trunk, the am- 



