The Seasons of 1865 and 1866. 87 



great drought had much to do with the complete failure of this crop the last 

 season ; although the extreme cold of Jan. 15, when the thermometer fell 

 to 16° below zero in my garden, was sufficient to destroy the fruit-buds, 

 even if they had not been weakened by the drought. This peach-business 

 is the most discouraging of all others in the horticultural line. I have 

 alwaj's had a dozen or more healthy peach-trees on my place for the last 

 fifteen years, destroying those that had a tendency to the disease called 

 " the yellows," setting out new trees in fresh soil almost every year to supply 

 their places ; and I do not reniember more than four or five seasons out of 

 the fifteen when I obtained peaches enough for my family and friends, and 

 for those I had to fight with the robins and catbirds to save any. The robins 

 are sure to stick their bills into them as soon as they begin to color hand- 

 somely, and the catbirds and bees follow suit ; so that at least half the crop 

 are punctured, and perish before maturing. My peach-trees did not show a 

 single bloom last spring, but look hopeful now for the next season ; but 

 probably I am doomed to disappointment as usual. 



From the plum-tree we do not expect much ; for, between the black -wart 

 and curculio, this fine fruit has almost disappeared from the vicinity of Boston. 

 I had dug all mine up as a nuisance, but spared two trees which seemed to 

 be more promising, and free from warts. This year they were heavily laden ; 

 and, being large trees, I expected to obtain from them at least three bushels 

 of plums. But, before they began to ripen, the bees commenced to puncture 

 them ; and, to save any for preserving, I was obliged to gather them before 

 ripe, and my expected crop had dwindled down to about one bushel of sound 

 and unsound fruit, while the ground was completely covered under the trees 

 with the fallen decaying fruit. Notwithstanding the freedom of the trees 

 from warts in the spring, they are now a sight to look at ; for, during the 

 summer, the black-wart has extended to every branch, and almost ever)' 

 twig. So much for plums. 



Now for the canker-worms and apple-trees. What a sad subject this is 

 to write upon ! Our beautiful orchards were the pride of our land until 

 the canker-worms made their appearance ; but now what a desolation is 

 \\itnessed when the rich green foliage of May and June is consumed by 

 these voracious insects, and the trees appear as though fire had run over 

 them ! 



