THE PEACHES OF NEW YORK 1 77 



closely and deeply pitted and punctured, the punctures on the wing-covers 

 arranged in rows. Injury to the peach by this insect is first indicated by 

 exudation of gum from trunk and branches and later by numerous small, 

 round holes as if the tree had been struck by shot. Healthy, vigorous trees 

 are seldom attacked and if so the larvae do not develop, but a peach-tree 

 suffering a decline from any cause whatsoever is open to immediate attack 

 and once the pest gains foothold the plant is doomed. Here, indeed, an 

 ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, for keeping the orchard 

 constantly in healthy, vigorous condition to avoid accidental introduction, 

 and prompt removal and destruction of infested trees, both preventive 

 measures, constitute the only satisfactor}^ treatment. 



The peach twig-borer (Anarsia lineatella Zell.) imported from Europe, 

 has at times been a troublesome pest of the peach in parts of the United 

 States but causes little injury in New York. Still, it can be found every 

 year in nearly every peach-district in the State and needs, therefore, to be 

 guarded against since it may some time appear in sufficient numbers to 

 become formidable. The adult is a moth the larva of which is about 

 one-half inch long, pinkish in color. This larva is the borer and in early 

 spring attacks tender shoots boring down into the pith. It passes from 

 one succulent shoot to another so that often many wilted shoots may be 

 examined before the borer is found. Fortunately peach-trees send out 

 shoots abovit as rapidly as this pest can destroy them so that in New York, 

 at least, unless the tree is much weakened in vitality, not much harm is 

 done. The twig-borer has small chance in a well-kept orchard, but, should 

 it attain headway, prompt treatment with arsenate of lead will at once 

 cut short its career. 



Occasionally complaints come that the common rose-bug or rose- 

 chafer {Macrodactylus siibspinosus Fabricius) is at work on the peach. 

 Leaves, flowers and fruits are eaten. The fuzz on the epidermis of the 

 fruit is a deterrent but once a beetle gets through into the flesh, a dozen 

 more join in the banquet and the peach is quickly ruined. Now and then 

 one hears of a crop destroyed by the beetle. Insecticides seldom avail, 

 for the insects are very resistant to poisons. The insects breed only in 

 waste places and hence they may be looked for in the orchards of the sloven 

 or where slovenly kept fields adjoin. Cultivation and sanitation are, then, 

 the preventives. In New York rose-bugs are abundant only in warm, 

 sandy soils. 



