I 



NECTARINE. 311 



f 



maggot, which drops to the ground, and approaches the 

 tree near the surface. If the ground be kept clear around 

 the roots, as it ought always to be, the worm can readily be 

 detected by a small speck of gum, which appears on the tree 

 after it has made its entrance, which gumminess will increase 

 in quantity as it progresses ; but if the trees are thoroughly 

 examined about once a week or ten days, and the gum 

 wherever found, removed by means of a small knife or 

 pointed wire, the worm may he at once defeated from 

 making any havock on the trees. An orchard of several 

 acres may be kept free from worms by going over it a few 

 times. After a shower of rain is a good time, as the gum 

 can then be more easily discovered, and when it is removed, 

 the wound will soon heal up, and the danger is over, pro- 

 vided the ground be kept cultivated around the trees ; and 

 the collar or that part from which emanate the main roots 

 be near the surface. 



This is an important precaution, and should be attended 

 to at the time of transplanting all descriptions of trees and 

 smaller plants ; because deep planting prevents the essential 

 circulation of the juices of plants in their regular and natura 

 courses, and consequently causes disease and premature 

 death ; and it must be admitted, that from the circumstance 

 of this fruit being generally raised on standard trees, and in 

 a s light soil our cultivators are apt to plant too deep; 

 and thus act contrary to sound judgement and philosophy, 

 with a view to save the trouble and expense of staking or 

 otherwise supporting their newly planted trees, which pre- 

 caution is absoluteiy necessary to their preservation, even in 

 less tempestuous climates, and in stiff as well as in light soil. 



Saltpetre dissolved in the proportion of one pound to five 

 gallons of water, and applied around the stems and roots of 

 trees, as recommended for plants in general, page 12 of the 

 general remarks, is, in my opinion, one of the best remedies 

 for the destruction of various kinds of insects ; it is moreover 

 allowed by modern and learned physiologists to contain the 

 most essential nutriment to all descriptions of trees or smaller 



