THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 305 



and a belief is becoming prevalent that grassy ground is 

 most favorable. Though we are not entirely prepared to 

 decide on this point, yet most of our observations lean in 

 that direction ; and if it be proved, an exception to our 

 plan of managing the fruit garden, ought to be made on 

 behalf of the peach, nectarine and apricot, as soon as those 

 trees are of full bearing size. 



Some years ago, we drained a shallow swamp; and 

 though the situation is high and airy, peach trees of the 

 "best bearing kinds planted there, have always been unpro- 

 ductive. Now the annual cultivation of the soil, doubt- 

 less rendered it more spongy,* and consequently more 

 frosty, because it radiated more heat than the paler and 

 firmer ground. But was this the only cause ? and if so, 

 did it cause the destruction of the buds in winter, or in 

 the spring? 



One fact, however, should not be forgotten : To ac- 

 celerate the growth of the peach tree when bearing, by 

 either culture or pruning, endangers the fruit. In sum- 

 mer, therefore, the soil should not be disturbed. 



The quince tree as well as the apple tree, is subject to 

 the attacks of the borer. The larva of this insect, re- 

 sembles the peach worm ; but it cuts through the solid 

 wood, and therefore is much more difficult to extract. 

 With a barbed wire, we have often succeeded, and some, 

 times failed. In a young tree that had been neglected, 

 we found them so deeply intrenched, and their holes so 

 winding, that they kept possession. We then made a 

 small auger hole through the heart of the tree, and filled 

 it with sulphur. A few days after we found one of them 

 in a dying state, and no more filth was ejected. Quince 

 trees should be examined on this account, at least once a 

 year. 



Would the lncreaed radiation from thii cauie, be counteracted by ipreadiug 

 ftraw, chaff, or ihaving* under the trees 1 



