'227 



covering them to the depth of two or three inches. Plants may be easily 

 obtained from cuttings or layers, which strike readily, but these methods 

 Are but little practised and not to be recommended, as trees raised by 

 them are wanting in vigour. Budding is the most general method of 

 propagation, and, as a rule, trees sent out by nurserymen are raised by 

 this means. The operation may be performed at any time during the 

 summer, when the bark separates freely from the wood, but is usually 

 done as soon after mid-summer as is practicable. Grafting is not 

 commonly practised, as in the case of all stone fruits budding is a 

 preferable method of propagation. As a rule, the trees should be worked 

 upon Peach or Nectarine stocks, which, in most localities, will make the 

 most thrifty and durable trees. They will, in ordinary soils and warm to 

 medium climates, yield better crops, be less liable to gumming or other 

 diseases, and live longer than trees worked upon the Almond or Plum, 

 which are used as stocks to a large extent. But in the warmer districts 

 and very dry soils, more especially those containing a large proportion of 

 lime, Peaches sometimes do best upon Almond stocks, and refuse to 

 thrive upon their own. Under such conditions Almond stocks must 

 necessarily have the preference, and these should be raised from robust 

 varieties. On the other hand, the Plum may prove the most suitable 

 stock in the colder districts or in wet heavy soils, as it is far more hardy 

 than the Peach- Plum stocks have also a dwarfing tendency, and hasten 

 maturity, which may be an advantage in cold districts, both as regards 

 earliness of the crop and the ripening of the wood. The Cherry Plum is 

 one of the best kinds for stocks, though others may be used for the 

 purpose. 



INJURIOUS INSECTS. 



The Peach suffers from the attacks of various insects, and often to a 

 very serious extent. Cultivators will do well to watch carefully for the 

 appearance of these pests, and apply the best remedies as soon the 

 presence of the insects is ascertained. It will also be advisable, as far as 

 may be practicable, to adopt preventative measures, and reduce the risk 

 of insect attacks to a minimum. The more prominent insect pests are as 

 follows : 



Aphides. Several kinds of these insects are very troublesome to Peach 

 trees, and if allowed to make headway cause serious injury to both foliage 

 and fruit. The two worst species of these insects are known as the 

 ' ' Black Aphis" and the "Green Aphis." More commonly they are 

 known as the u Black" and "Green Fly." Scientists class them as 

 species of the genus Myzus. The Black Aphis makes its appearance very 

 early in the season, sometimes even before growth commences, The 

 other species makes its appearance somewhat later in the season. These 

 insects are specially injurious to the young leaves and flowers, from 

 which they absorb the juices, and they are also very destructive to the 

 tender shoots. They increase with great rapidity if they are unchecked, 

 and sometimes destroy completely the foliage of a tree. Affected leaves, 

 through their juices being extracted, become contorted and wrinkled, and, 



