THE PEACH WOBM. 



269 



tree unsightly. Application, by means of a syringe, of one ounce of 

 nitre to one gallon of water, in proportion, will destroy it, and, at 

 the same time, add to vigor and health of the tree. Dusting of sul- 

 phur is by some advised. 



The Peach worm or Borer -, ^Egeria exitiosa, was known as early 

 as before the commencement of the present century, and has been 

 repeatedly described. There are two sexes, and so remarkably 

 different that some natu- 

 ralists have almost hesita- 

 ted in arranging thorn. 

 "The insect, in its perfect 

 state, is a slender, dark 

 blue, four - winged moth, 

 somewhat like a wasp. It 

 commences depositing its 

 eggs in the soft and tender 

 bark at the base of the trunk, usually about the last of June, but at 

 different times, from June to October. The egg hatches, and be- 

 comes a small white borer 

 or grub, (fig. a), which 

 eventually grows to three 

 fourths of an inch long, pen- 

 etrates and devours the bark 

 and sap - wood, and, after 

 passing the winter in the 



tree, it enfolds itself in a cocoon, (fig. b , under or upon the bark, 

 and emerges again in a perfect or winged form in June, and com- 

 mences depositing its eggs for another generation." 



Multiform have been the prescribed remedies for protection 

 against this insect, but none have been found infallible ; and the 

 careful cultivator will find the use of a sharp knife, once in June, 

 and again in September, applied to cutting out the worm, whose lo- 

 cation is easily discovered by exudation, near the crown of the roots, 

 of gummy matter a far better preventive, and also really cheaper, 

 than heaping up of ashes, cinders, etc., etc. 



Gathering. If for immediate use the peach should not be gath- 

 ered until fully ripe, but if intended for market it is necessary often 

 to gather while yet firm. 



Characters and Classification. The general outward characters of 

 many kinds are so nearly similar that it is necessary to resort to 

 other means than exhibited in the fruit in order to identify varieties. 

 This, even with all the means at command, is often very difficult, 

 owing to the numerous seedlings constantly being produced. The 

 distinction of freestones and clinsgtones (melters and pavies of the 



