INTRODUCTION. XV 



slowly from such small beginnings. Young vigorous trees seem to resist for 

 years, but as they begin to bear fruit the enemy increases faster than the growth 

 of the tree, and the orchard dies. 



The Peach worm feeds upon the inner bark, near the ground, each worm cutting 

 off the connexion between the top and root of the tree to the extent of one or two 

 inches. This insect is an annual ; the next year's crop of worms will probably girdle 

 that tree all round. The Peach-grower complains of the premature decay of his 

 orchards, and says that peach trees are too short-lived to be profitable. Other cul- 

 tivators understand this enemy, and " worm " their trees carefully, but will buy their 

 stock from nurserymen who plant pits or use buds from trees diseased with the "Yel- 

 lows." And they complain, too, of premature decay, and that a second crop of trees 

 will not grow upon the same ground. 



The Black Knot on Plum and Cherry trees is another increasing evil. 



The Bark Louse or scale insect, found on both Apple and Pear trees, insignificant 

 as it appears, often causes the speedy decay of orchards. 



All the above insect enemies of fruit trees, as well as most of those of the fruits 

 themselves, are manageable can be subjected to our control. The man who permits them 

 to increase and multiply, not only has no right to complain, but is a nuisance in his 

 neighborhood, and should be treated as other nuisances are, that the public may be 

 protected. 



There are many other insect enemies quite serious at times, and not within the 

 reach of our control, but most of them are transient evils. They are under the influ- 

 ence of checks wonderfully ordered for our protection. Some are brought to a 

 speedy end by vicissitudes of weather. Birds come in flocks just at the right time 

 for the destruction of others. Still more are subdued by insect parasites. 



We import fruits of southern latitudes in large quantities. Do we export ours 

 to a corresponding extent ? Can we, when oranges in New York cost less than 

 apples ? 



The preservation of fruits has long claimed much attention. They are wanted 

 throughout the year. Men of wealth expend large sums in forcing-houses ; artificial 

 climates are thus created, that fresh fruits may be had out of season. People of mode- 

 rate means dry and preserve them. Canning has lately been adopted to advantage, 

 giving us in winter an approximating taste of the fruit luxuries of summer. Many 

 attempts have been made to retard decay by the use of ice, but the fruits soon lose 

 their natural flavor. There are said to be apples that will keep throughout the year. * 

 Many of the Russets will look like Apples till the next summer. A Northern Spy 

 will still be good in April, but after that we must wait for Strawberries. 



Most persevering efforts have been made for many years to obtain winter Pears. 

 Some have been found that seemed to promise to be successful, but these have gene- 

 rally failed ; and the best cultivators now have little expectation of being able to 

 carry this superb fruit later than December. 



I have lately heard Mr. Nice, of Cleveland, Ohio, explain his plan of construct- 



