874 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



vate. A tree full grown, and entirely free from disease, 

 is a rarity. I have Lad them die at the root suddenly, 

 while the top was apparently free from disease, and both 

 entirely free from the woolly aphis. Sometimes they die 

 slowly, perhaps from the too intense action of the sun 

 upon the soil and roots; or, it may be, from the great de- 

 ficiency of lime in this soil. A large proportion of our 

 trees are diseased and decayed on the south-western side 

 of the trunk, where the sun falls in the heat of the day. 

 Then we have the bark-lice, borers, and caterpillars. 

 Then, worse than all, is that pest of the orchard, the 

 woolly aphis, or American blight. Now these are serious 

 obstacles in the way of the orchardist ; but they may be 

 surmounted. Bark-lice, caterpillars, and borers, a little 

 care, in season, will destroy here, as well as anywhere. 

 The sun-burning of the trunk can be prevented by plant- 

 ing trees of but one year's growth from the bud, and so 

 shortening them in, when planted, that they will throw 

 out branches near the soil. The thick foliage will thus 

 screen the trunk from the sun, and, by keeping the roots 

 shaded, will improve the general health of the tree. The 

 lime and other constituents lacking in the soil can from 

 time to time be applied. Old plastering, and the refuse 

 lime of the tanner, where they can be had, will cheeply 

 supply this element. 



The aphis is more troublesome. If they are on a single 

 tree in the garden, the wind will soon carry them enve- 

 loped in the down from one end to the other. If you are free 

 from them at first, it is better to raise trees from seed, get 

 scions and graft them yourself, than to incur the risk of 

 introducing the aphis witb your purchases. If you do 

 buy, beware of those trees with roots full of warts, caused 

 by its minute lacerations. If there is the least token of 

 the presence of the aphis, either by the downy matter in 



