Soil and Climate of Washington. 23 



tion of the ground, to increase the size and quality of your fruit, com- 

 mence Avhen the peaches are as large as small marbles and thin them out. 

 This operation must be properly done, so that the fruit may be regularly 

 distributed over the tree. 



I will also add, there are two causes v/hich operate against the success- 

 ful cultivation of this tree. The one is a worm, which attacks the tree at 

 or near the surface, and sometimes so completely encircles it as to cause 

 its death. The other is a disease usually denominated the Yellows. 



The best plan to obviate the depredations of the worm, is to denude the 

 tree of eartlr down as far as the roots, or as far as you perceive a gummy 

 exudation, Avhich proceeds from the wounds on the tree inflicted by the 

 worm. Lime or ashes then thrown around the tree will have a tendency 

 to destroy the worm and prevent its subsequent attack. The Yellows 

 may be discovered by the tree presenting a sickly yellow appearance, and 

 a premature ripening of the fruit. As this disease is of a contagious char- 

 acter, and rapid in its extension, the best method to stay its progress is the 

 complete removal of the tree witli all its roots. 



In conclusion let me observe, that if the hundreds of gen- 

 tlemen in the public offices here, could have about their 

 dwellings small lots of half, or even quarter of an acre, 

 and would generally, as some of them do, devote their 

 afternoons to floriculture and horticulture, this district 

 might excel yours in its annual exhibitions; but the truth 

 is, that their employment has been so precarious, and their 

 income so nicely adjusted to the most parsimonious scale of 

 living, that they are bereft of that security and ease of mind 

 that naturally seeks healthful recreation and amusement in 

 the cultivation of fruits and flowers, and other innocent and 

 useful pastimes. Tlie mind of the man full of anxiety for 

 the morrow, knowing that the fever which disorders the 

 brain, or the palsy that enervates the arm of the father, 

 threatens starvation to wife and children, — such a mind, in 

 such a mood, is not the soil congenial to the growth of fine 

 tastes, or resolute and provident dispositions ; its more nat- 

 ural offspring is recklessness — despair. 



For exactness in the performance of their prescribed du- 

 ties, even without respect to prescribed hom-s ; and for the 

 observ^ance of the moral and domestic virtues, it may be 

 doubted if there be, in any country, a corps of public ser- 

 vants so exemplary, take them as a corps, as the employees 

 in tlie public offices in Vfashington, whose pay is at the 

 same time so limited and so precarious. I can speak at 

 least for this department, which, however, is admitted to 

 be the dray-horse, doomed to " fetch and carry" for all the 

 rest, where doubtless, however, the same diligence and in- 

 telligence prevail. Respectfully, J. S. S. 

 Washington, D. C, Oct'r, 1842. 



