FRUIT-GARDENING. 33 



pepper, soot, decoction of elder, walnut leaves, tobacco, ana 

 other bitter and acrid substances ; but perhaps the most 

 effectual way of keeping some of the most pernicious kinds ot 

 insects under, is to gather up such fruit as may fall from the 

 trees before the insects have an opportunity of escaping into the 

 earth, or to other places of shelter. 



Where trees are planted in a bad soil, or unfavorable situa- 

 tions, they often become diseased. When this happens, the 

 best remedy is good pruning, and keeping the trees clean by a 

 free use of soap and water. If that will not do, they may be 

 headed down, or removed to a better situation. Barrenness 

 and disease are generally produced by the bad qualities of the 

 earth and air, by a want of water, or iby the inroads of insects. 

 These incidents generally show themselves in the early part of 

 the year. Leaves and shoots of any color but the natural 

 green ; curled and ragged leaves ; branches in a decaying state ; 

 shoots growing from the roots instead of from the stem or 

 trunk; the stem diseased in its bark; the gum oozing from 

 various parts thereof — are all proofs of the existence of disease. 

 The peach-tree is subject to a disease called the yellows ; and 

 the discolored leaves and feeble branches are often ascribed to 

 the worms which so frequently attack the roots. Where these 

 are found, they may be removed by a knife or chisel. But if 

 it should appear that the tree is diseased, it should be removed, 

 to prevent other trees from being infected. 



WASH FOR FRUIT-TREES. 



The following compositions have been known to protect 

 fruit-trees from the attacks of numerous insects, by being 

 used as a wash to the trees immediately after pruning. The 

 constitution of some trees will bear a much stronger mixture 

 of ingredients than others ; but the proportions, as hereafter 



