83 



■with the large early Crawford variety. The trees, when set, 

 were two years from the bud, and stand in rows, fourteen feet 

 apart, and at intervals of twelve feet in the row. The trees of 

 one row arc placed, not at right angles with those of another, but 

 obliquely, so as to receive to the best advantage the sun's light. 

 Perhaps a greater interval between the trees would have been 

 better ; but it was expected that, by an annual shortening in of the 

 branches, they might be kept within due compass. 



The trees have borne fruit the past season, but only in small 

 quantities, having suffered, in common with others throughout the 

 country, the effects of cold the previous winter. 



In pruning, the shortening in method has been followed, the 

 object being to give a round apple-tree shape to the tree, and to 

 prevent overbearing. The time selected for this purpose has usu- 

 ally been the last of March or beginning of April. 



For the prevention of the borer, various remedies have been 

 tried, but none with so much success as ivhiteiv ashing. This has 

 been done two or three times during the season, commencing 

 about the 1st of July, and repeated at intervals of three or four 

 weeks. The wash was applied to that portion of the trunk extend- 

 ing from the surface of the ground, twelve to eighteen inches 

 above and two to three inches below, the earth being removed to 

 this depth, and a careful examination made for the borer at the 

 same time. After whitewashing, the earth was replaced and hill- 

 ed up about the trunk three or four inches. This method has 

 usually been found sufficient to protect the root ; but if prevented 

 from depositing its eggs there, the parent insect will not unfre- 

 quently resort to other parts, as to the forhs of the branches, or 

 any wounded or diseased spots, unless similai'ly protected ; so 

 that to ensure complete exemption from its attacks, a careful in- 

 spection of these parts also becomes necessary. 



Another insect noticed in the peach tree is a small beetle, not 

 larger than a grain of mustard seed, of a black color, which 

 makes for itself a lodgment in the bark, causing the gum to ex- 

 ude, and so giving an unhealthy appearance to the tree. It is 

 found in considerable numbers, the latter part of summer, im- 

 bedded in the bark, particularly of old trees, and its perforations 

 then may be easily mistaken for those of the young peach borer. 



