270 THE PEACH AND NBCTABINE. 



destroys the functions of the leaves. Any excess of heat or drought 

 induces red spider. Exhanstion through poverty of soil, over-cropping, 

 &c., is equally favourable to its development and increase. A free use 

 of the garden engine on the trees, and an unlimited supply of water at 

 the toots before the trees show any signs of distress, are the surest 

 means of preventing red spider. Sulphur is the only certain cure. This 

 should be dusted over the leaves frequently the moment the spider or 

 minute red spots appear. It is difficult to destroy after it gets a firm 

 hold, and the leaves are almost useless after a severe attack of spider, 

 hence the great importance of checking this troublesome pest early — that 

 is, as soon as it appears, or, better stiU, of preventing it altogether, by 

 the free use of water. Were the trees washed overhead daily with 

 the garden engine in dry weather, as recommended in the chapter 

 on general culture, red spider would seldom or never put in an 

 appearance. 



XIII. — Aphides, 



Tebse seem to have an especial Iking for the tender leaves of peaches. 

 The other insect pests here named are either created or strengthened 

 by heat, but the aphides seem often to come with the cold east 

 wind. Hardly have the leaves grown to half their size in the spring 

 than they are seized by aphides, and rolled up and round into a 

 weather-proof home for them, in which they increase and multiply with 

 such amazing rapidity that they speedily eat up their dwellings, and 

 issue forth in search of new and larger quarters. Nothing works so 

 much nischief as these aphides, or green fiy, on peaches and nectarines 

 in the early spring. They are bad enough at any season, but as the 

 leaves get older and become harder and larger, the fly cannot injure 

 them so much nor consume them so fast ; but in the spring the young 

 leaves seem to shrink from their touch, and twist themselves into all 

 kinds of contortions, which renders them useless to the tree, as they 

 can no longer discharge any of the vital functions of proper leaves. There 

 is no better nor swifter remedy for these pests than tobacco, applied 

 of MDing strength through the garden engine or syringe. The most 

 economical way of using the' liquor is to stand pretty close to the wall and 

 apply it in a slanting direction against the trees. When the end of the 

 wall or tree is reached, turn round and give the trees a. second dose, 

 applied in the opposite direction. This compound dose, skilfully 

 administered, will bring the poison in direct contact with every leaf and 

 twig. In bad oases, too, a second dose the following day is advisable. 



