FRUITS. 521 



planted at from 1 6 to 20 feet apart, according to situation, soil, 

 and exposure. Constant cultivation of the ground, without 

 cropping, is necessary for their best growth and bearing. 



The peach tree is liable to many diseases and to the depreda- 

 tion of numerous enemies. The yellows is the most fatal dis- 

 ease, and this can only be checked by the immediate removal of 

 the tree from the orchard. Of the insects, the grub, or peach 

 worm, is the most destructive. It punctures the bark and lays 

 its egg beneath it at the surface of the earth, and when dis- 

 covered it should be killed with a penknife or pointed wire. A 

 good prevention is to form a cone of earth around the trunk 

 about the first of June. If made of leached ashes it would be 

 better. Remove this heap in October, and the bark will harden 

 below the reach of the fly the following year. 



Pears. Pears are grafted on pear stocks or quince stocks, or 

 on those of the white thorn. The last is best because the most 

 durable ; and for dwarf trees much the best, because they do 

 not throw up wood so big and so lofty. For orchards, pear 

 stocks are best ; but not from suckers on any account. They 

 are sure to fill the orchards with suckers. The pruning for 

 your pear trees in the garden should be the same as that for 

 the peach. The pears will grow higher, but they may be made 

 to spread at the bottom, and that will keep them from towering 

 too much. 



Raspberry. They are raised from suckers, though they may 

 be raised from cuttings. The suckers of this year are planted 

 out in rows six feet apart, and the plants two feet apart in rows. 

 This is done in the fall or early in the spring. At the time of 

 planting, they should be cut down to within a foot of the 

 ground. They will bear a little late, and will send out several 

 suckers which will bear the next year. About four are enough 

 to leave, and those of the strongest. These should be cut off 

 in the fall, or early in the spring, to within four feet of the 

 ground, and should be tied to a small stake. A straight branch 

 of locust is best, and then the stake lasts a lifetime at least, 

 let the life be as long as it may. The next year more suckers 

 come up, which are treated in the same way. 



Strawberry. They are propagated from young plants which 

 grow out of old ones. In the summer the plant sends forth 



