THE PEACH. 101 



Dirt. Cutting back the extremities also tends to render tlie head 

 more shapely and compact. 



The new mode of fighting the curculio by means of the " Curcu- 

 lio Catcher" (described elsewhere) will necessarily have something 

 to do with the training of the trees. But for that, low-headed trees 

 of one or two feet only of stem, for various reasons would be best. 

 But this machine cannot be effectively worked under such trees. A 

 clean stem of three to three and a half feet will be required. In 

 view of these facts, therefore, and that these machines will be 

 needed at sometime in the life of most of the stone-fruit trees, 

 higher training is advised than would otherwise be desirable. 



In all sections where peaches can be easily grown, it is advisable 

 to plant largely, and only of the best varieties. The market for 

 good peaches is never overstocked, and year by year the demand for 

 such increases. Plant no common seedlings — and no seedlings at 

 all, except those of known good quality, and known to reproduce 

 themselves, or such as possess promising characteristics, for test and 

 experiment. A tree, the product of which will bring but a half 

 dollar per bushel in the market, occupies as much space, and requires 

 as much labor to plant and cultivate, as one producing two and 

 three dollar fruit. Very early and very late sorts, as a rule, will be 

 found most profitable, either for home or distant markets. 



There is a prejudice in many minds against the cling-stone 

 varieties; but of late years- that prejudice is giving way. The 

 demand for good clings for canning purposes has of late largely 

 increased. 



SOIL. 



A rich, deep, mellow loam, with a slight admixture of sand, is 

 the very best for the growth and perfection of the peach. A light, 

 sandy soil will produce a fine growth, and generally fair fruit ; but 

 trees in such soils are much more liable to the attacks of the peach 

 grub than in other soils. We have seen fine, handsome young trees 

 almost totally destroyed by them in one or two years, while trees 

 but a short distance off, in less sandy soils, were but slightly injured. 



INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



The Peach- Woem — above alluded to, is the worst enemy of the 

 peach-tree. It is the larva of a waspish-looking miller or butterfly, 



