639 A. KE. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. by) 
bo 
~I 
According to Lefroy, this infection and destruction of the trees 
took place about 1864. At the time that he wrote (1884) he stated 
that scarcely a healthy tree was to be found.* Perhaps the insect 
was the peach-tree borer (_d/geria, or Sannina, exitiosa). The Ber- 
muda peach is said to have been first raised from Madeira seed, at 
St. David’s Island, by Lieut. Lang. 
There is no reason why the peach should not again be cultivated 
with suecess, by using modern methods of combating insects and 
fungous diseases. Some American varieties tried by Lefroy did not 
bear fruit. Probably those varieties from the southern United 
States or Madeira would be most likely to succeed. 
The Apricot, Nectarine, Sweet Almond, and the Plum have been 
planted by Lefroy and others, but generally without much success. 
Usually they do not produce fruit, though in some cases they have 
done so. Probably those varieties best suited to the climate were 
not obtained, in many cases. Further trials, with southern varieties, 
might succeed. The Apple and Pear do not succeed well, though a 
few of each have been raised, mostly as curiosities. They usually 
blossom, but seldom mature much fruit. The Apple blossoms in 
February and March. Those that I saw were generally planted in 
soil that was too shallow and sandy for such trees, but probably 
they require a longer winter rest than the climate permits. 
Quince. (Cydonia vulyaris Pers.) 
Flowers in April and May. Not uncommon and produces con- 
siderable fruit in moist soil, but the trees remain small and scrubby. 
Loquat; Japan Medlar. (Photinia, or Eriobotrya, Japonica Lind.) 
Introduced about 1850, from Malta, by Governor Reid. It is now 
common and bears abundant fruit of good quality. Flowers about 
September, and the fruit is ripe from January to March. 
Strawberry. (Pragaria Virginiana Duch.) 
Cultivated to some extent and often produces excellent fruit. The 
plants require to be renewed every two years. The fruit ripens 
about the first of January, sometimes earlier. With proper care and 
by using the most suitable varieties, large crops could undoubtedly, 
be obtained. At present those used at the hotels are mostly 
imported. 
The Raspberry has been repeatedly tried, but does not flourish. 
* The real Peach-fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a small dipterous fly that infests 
the fruit only. 
