1897.] ESSAYS. 25 



were chiefly used for preserves. Between 1830 and 1840 budded 

 trees of several varieties were introduced into tliis vicinity from New 

 Jersey, wliere the disease known as the Peach Yellows had existed for 

 many years ; some orchards being entirely destroyed, and all more or 

 less infected. With the introduction of these trees the disease was 

 introduced into New England, where it has remained to the present 

 time, exerting its baleful influence, not only upon the trees, but by pro- 

 ducing infected pits and buds by which young stock became diseased. 



The long continued reproduction of the same varieties from an 

 enfeebled stock has aided in the decay of the strength and vigor of 

 the peach. 



The florist who cultivates the succulent plants knows he must make 

 frequent return to the seed to keep up the strength and vigor of his 

 plants. The Verbena and Petunia under ordinary cultivation cannot 

 be reproduced from cuttings more than five or six years without 

 becoming so enfeebled as to be worthless for stock. The same rule 

 holds true of the hardier and longer lived plants and trees. Dr. Van 

 Mons, whose experience in raising seedling fruit trees was more exten- 

 sive than that of any other man, declares it as his opinion that the 

 more frequently a tree is reproduced continuously from seed the more 

 feeble and short lived is the seedling produced. Downing, in 1845, 

 after describing this disease and its effect upon the trees and fruit, 

 expresses his opinion upon this branch of the subject as follows : 

 " Is it not evident from these premises that the constant sowing of 

 the seeds of an enfeebled stock of peaches would naturally produce 

 a sickly and diseased race of trees? The seedlings will at first 

 appear healthy when the parent had been partially diseased ; but the 

 malady will sooner or later show itself, and especially when the tree 

 is allowed to produce an overcrop." 



It is almost the unanimous opinion of the more experienced growers 

 of peaches that this disease is contagious and spreads from tree to 

 tree. Twelve States have passed laws requiring all diseased trees 

 to be destroyed and appointed officers to see that the law is executed. 

 Michigan, where the growing of peaches is an important industry, was 

 among the first to take legal action, and they claimed to have stamped 

 out the disease throughout the State. The principal opposition to 

 this legislation comes from those who have diseased trees in their 

 orchards and desire to sell the fruit from them as long as they con- 

 tinue to bear. This seems a short sighted policy, as they thus expose 

 their orchards to contagion and place on the market an insipid and 

 worthless fruit. 



