102 THE DIFFERENl KINDS OF FRUITS. 



which, during the summer, deposits its eggs in the bark of the tree. 

 These soon hatch whitish-looking worms, which make their way 

 between the bark and the wood, and, if permitted to continue their 

 depredations, will seriously injure, and sometimes entirely destroy, 

 the tree. 



To destroy them, they must be sought out with a knife or 

 other sharp instrument, by cutting away the outer bark, and eject- 

 ing them from their holes, which is easily done. Their presence is 

 almost always indicated by gum, sometimes in large quantities, on 

 the surface, at or about the hole in which the depredator may be 

 found. Dig away the earth from about the root of the tree, a few 

 inches below the surface ; and, after scraping off the decayed bark 

 and killing the worms, apply a bucketful of slaked lime or leached 

 ashes, or both. Do not neglect to make a thorough search for the 

 rascals at least once every spring, examining carefully every tree. 

 The application of lime and ashes is a very effectual means of pre- 

 vention ; put it on in the spring, and allow it to remain till autumn, 

 when it may be spread out to cover the surface for several feet, and 

 worked in with other fertilizers. 



Some varieties of the peach are "subject to the mildew. This 

 may be destroyed by sprinkling with soap-suds, or with an inter- 

 mixture of lime-water and soap-suds. Sulphur has also been applied 

 with success. 



The Yellows. — This disease in peach-trees has never yet been 

 fully understood. It is mostly considered to have its origin in gen- 

 eral bad management — neglected culture, exhaustion, overbearing, 

 etc. Downing strongly recommends shortening-in as a prevention, 

 and most pomologists concur in the opinion that long-continued 

 good culture and care are the surest means of preventing this dis- 

 ease. As a remedy, cut down and utterly exterminate all trees 

 that may be attacked; as the disease is a contagious one, and it is 

 better to lose a few trees at the beginning than to run the risk of 

 losing all by delay. 



Leaf Curl. — The disease known as the Curl of the Leaf, by 

 which, in the spring, the leaves will curl up, and finally fall, is 

 occasioned by the puncture of a small insect called the plant louse. 

 A good remedy for this is strong soap-suds, with a decoction of 

 tobacco-juice, applied as soon as the leaves begin to curl. 



