FRUITS. 261 



and Delaware. The crop of a single proprietor often amounts 

 to $5,000, and sometimes exceeds $20,000 annually. 



None but the choicest kinds are there cultivated, and 

 these are innoculated upon the seedling when a year old. 

 They are transplanted at two and three, and are worn out, 

 cut down and burned at the age of from six to twelve years. 

 The proper distance for them to stand, is sixteen to twenty 

 feet apart, according to situation, soil and exposure. Con- 

 stant cultivation of the ground is necessary for their best 

 growth and bearing. 



Diseases. The peach is liable to many diseases, and to 

 the depredations of numerous enemies. The Yellows is the 

 most fatal in its attacks, and this can only be checked by 

 the immediate removal of the diseased tree from the orchard. 

 Of the insects, the grub or peach worm is the most destruc- 

 tive. It punctures the bark, and lays its egg beneath it at 

 the surface of the earth. When discovered, it should be 

 killed with a penknife or pointed wire. A good preventive 

 is to form a cone of earth a foot high around the trunk about 

 the first of June ; or if made of leached ashes, it would be 

 better. Remove this heap in ,October, and the bark will 

 harden below the reach of the fly the following year. 



Varieties. The best kinds in succession, from early to 

 late, are the Red and Yellow Rareripes, Malacatune, Early 

 York, Early Tillotson, George the Fourth, Morris' Red and 

 White Rareripes, Malta and Royal George. These succeed 

 each other from August to October. 



THE APRICOT AND NECTARINE. 



These are of the peach family, but generally inferior as a 

 fruit and much more difficult of cultivation, being peculiarly 

 liable to casualties and insects. They require the same 

 kinds of soil and cultivation as the peach, with a warmer 

 exposure. As they are propagated solely as an article of 

 luxury and are not wanted for genera) use, I omit further 

 notice of them. 



THE OLIVE (Olea europaea). 



This, next to the fig and gopher, is the earliest tree men- 

 tioned in history. (Gen. 8, 11.) It was ever a favorite with 

 sacred and profane writers, and it is consecrated by both, and 

 among all nations wherever cultivated, as the cherished 

 emblem of peace, prosperity and abundance. 



It grows spontaneously in the temperate regions of Asia 



