THE FARMER'S ORCHARD 155 



limbs that cross, also all dead branches or twigs, cut out and 

 keej) the limbs open enough to allow a free circulation of air 

 through the tree. The best growers head tlieir trees about eigh- 

 teen inches from the surface of the ground at planting time. 

 There is a wide difference of ojiinion as to time and metliods of 

 pruning. In general, prune early in the spring before the buds 

 start. After the tree comes into bearing, very little pruning is 

 required. 



The general culture in the treatment of the soil is similar to 

 that reconmiended for the pear or plum. 



The three insect enemies that the average grower has to 

 encounter are cherry fruit fly, plum curculio, and pear slug. The 

 cherry fly is about two-thirds the size of the house fly. It appears 

 in June. The female stings the fruit and lays her eggs under 

 the skin. The maggot is full grown about the time the cherry 

 ripens. Spray with one-half pound arsenate of lead to seven 

 gallons of water. Before spraying add one pint of cheap 

 molasses. The molasses attracts the fly and the poison kills it. 

 Spray when the Early Richmonds show signs of red. 



The plum curculio is a grayish-black beetle which lays her eggs 

 in the green cherry. Clean aAvay brush piles and weeds and 

 cultivate. Spray with arsenate of lead the same strength as used 

 for the cherry fruit fly. 



The pear slug in the larva? stage is a small, blackish slug 

 which feeds on the upper i)art of the foliage. Spray with 

 arsenate of lead. 



The principle disease of the cherry is xhe brown rot, causing 

 the cherries to decay. Allow sunshine and a free circulation of 

 air through the branches. Destroy all diseased fruit after 

 harvesting and spray with Bordeaux Mixture. 



Birds are sometimes a common enemy of the cherry tree. 

 Cover the tree with mosquito netting. One dollar will buy 

 enough to jirotect a six-year-old tree. 



Peaches.— In past years it was thought tliat the peach Avas 

 partial to a sandy type of soil, but it has been demonstrated 

 beyond a doubt that the peach will grow on any type of soil that 

 will grow corn or potatoes. A sandy loam A^'ith a light clay 

 subsoil is especially desirable because of the adequate supply of 

 moisture, warmth of the soil drainage, and general physical 

 condition. 



If peaches are growni in a commercial way, the orchard should 

 be located where the transportation facilities are close at hand. 

 The orchard site is influenced by elevation, bodies of water and 



