THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



317 



trees, speedily decline when planted amon^ die- 

 eased roots. Frequently, the first appearance ol 

 the premature ripening is confined to a solitary 

 branch, when no trace ofthe disp-^'p can Hr f'ourui 

 in any other part of the tree. When this hap- 

 pens, it is prudent to amputate immediately, 

 although it isdoubilui ifthe tree itself can be safe- 

 ly left to stand till it blooms again. In particular 

 cases we have pruned closely, destroying ihe blos- 

 som buds, and giving it a chance for recovery, 

 without endangering other trees ; but we would 

 not recommend it as a general rule, but extirpate 

 the tree indue time. 



It is certainly known, however, that the disease 

 can be communicated like the smallpox. We 

 have set buds from sickly trees into healthy stocks, 

 and all have perished in the course ofthe year. 

 Yet different degrees of virulence, perhaps de- 

 pending on the stage of the disease, are observ- 

 able. 



There can be no doubt that on a sickly tree, the 

 pit or kernel is as much affected as the pulp that 

 surrounds it ; and therefore such stones ought ne- 

 ver to be planted in a nursery. A peach tree not 

 attacked by worms, and free from this malady, 

 ought to live at least 50 or 100 years ; and we 

 believe no reason whatever, except the two just 

 mentioned, can be assigned for rheir early decay. 

 If the worm is not at the root therefore, when the 

 tree is sickly, we may conclude it has the yellows ; 

 and that this disease, if the pit was tainted, has 



" Grown with its growth and strengthened with its strength." 



Some varieties of the peach and nectarine, are 

 subject to a white mildeio, which appears on the 

 new shoots about midsummer, checking (heir 

 growth, but not attended with any other ill effects. 

 It seems analogous to the mildew on the grape 

 and gooseberry ; and may be cured (it is said) 

 by the application of sulphur water. A better 

 course, however, for culturists in general, would 

 be to stimulate the tree to make a handsome 

 growth in the early part of the season, and to 

 take no further care. 



This disease appears to be exclusively confined 

 to Lindley's Jirsf class of peaches and nectarines, 

 " whose leaves are deeply and doubly serrated, 

 having no glands." Some varieties of this class, 

 however, suffer very little ; while others, such as 

 the early Anne, are much impeded in their 

 growth. 



The peach is justly considered the most delici- 

 ous fruit of the temperate zone ; and yet it is 

 scarcely known in a large portion of the state of 

 New- York, which we have much reason to be- 

 lieve would admit of its successful culture. Not 

 only in the high lands between the Cayuga lake 

 and the Susquehanna, but also in the elevated re- 

 gion between the Great Bend and the Blue 

 Mountain in Pennsylvania, this tree has been 

 found healthy and fruitful. We saw several 

 in fine, order, the very next season after some 

 had perished with the cold in the low and beau- 

 tiful valley of Stroudsburgh. 



To some persons this statement may appear 

 like a paradox. But what are the other facts in 

 this easel Warmth in winter is pernicious. It 

 starts the sap, swells the bud, and the intenf=e cold 

 that follows destroys bud and branch. On the 

 contrary, the steady cold of the hills is conserva- 



tive. The bud is so exquisitely folded and pre- 

 pared for a severe season, that unless it is disturb- 

 ed by the sap, it is safe from the greatest cold of 

 our latitude, jjike the seeds ofthe melon, or a 

 grain of corn, it app(;ars to be loo dry to freeze. 



in the middle districts of our siate, let horticul- 

 turists therelbre remember that the hills are more 

 favorable to the peach than the valleys ; and if 

 iheir labors are unrcvvar.led in the low precincts 

 of their villages, let ihem occupy the neighbor- 

 ing heights, and lay out fruit gardens there. Let 

 them also remember that many trees and shrubs 

 which are hardy in a dry rocky soil, perish with 

 the cold in a rich border. In the latter case, the 

 wood is not sufficiently matured, and the frost 

 strikes it when it is full of sap, like a weed. To 

 crop the ends of the peach shoots, when they 

 grow too late, has been usefiil — not so soon in the 

 season as to start the buds, but as soon as that 

 danger is over. We have alluded to the loss of 

 the fruit buds in winter, and the early bloom of 

 this tree. Thiise two causes render the peach a 

 more uncertain crop than the plum or the cherry ; 

 but particular circumstances, perhaps not well 

 understood, have had an influence on iis produc- 

 tiveness. Where trees stand in the same imme- 

 diate neighborhood, some are barren while others 

 bear; 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 excepiion 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 unproductive. Now the annual 

 cultivation of the soil, doubtless, 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 1 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 accelerate the growth of the peach tree when 

 bearing, by either culture or pruning, endangers 

 the fruit. In summer, 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, resembles 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 sometimes failed. 

 In a young tree that had been neglected, we found 

 them so deeply entrenched, and their holes so 

 winding, that they kept possession. We then 

 made a small auger hole through the heart of Ihe 

 tree, and filled it with sulphur. A lew 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. 



As the pear tree is not infested by the borer, it 

 has been employed as a stock for the quince tree, 



* Would the increased radiation from this cause 

 be counteracted by spreading straw chaff or shavings 

 under the trees? 



