886 



GARDENING FOE THE SOUTH. 



the grub with a knife and kill it ; or pour scalding water 

 into his haunts from the spout of a tea-kettle, which will 

 kill the grub and benefit the tree ; leave the basin about 

 the root of the tree open, and reexamine a few days later, 

 as some of the worms may have escaped. Where the 

 mercury does not usually sink below 8° during the 

 winter, it is best to leave the collar of the tree uncovered 

 and exposed to the action of frost during winter. In 

 spring, a small mound of ashes, or slaked lime, or even 

 earth, should be placed about the base of the trunk, which 

 will render the borer less likely to attack the tree. These 

 should be spread over the surface in autumn. The trees 

 should be closely examined in autumn and spring. 



A somewhat serious difficulty in peach culture is the re- 

 sult of bad pruning. It is the tendency to overbear and 

 break down the limbs from the excess of the crop. More 

 peach trees are destroyed or badly injured from this cause 

 than any other. Peach trees should always be pruned by 

 cutting off the extremities of the branches, so as to leave 

 about one-half of the last year's growth. The fruit is pro- 

 duced on these small branches ; and by reducing the top 

 in this manner, overbearing is prevented, the fruit is 

 effectually thinned, and is larger, finer flavored, and nearly 

 as much fruit .can be taken from each tree without danger 

 of breaking. The tree is also kept low and close, and 

 more trees and larger crops can be grown to the acre. 



This method of pruning is called shortening in, or head- 

 ing in, and is expeditiously done with pruning shears. 

 Old trees that have got out of shape can be pruned and 

 brought into a symmetrical form by sawing off limbs of 

 two or three years' growth at or near the forks ; by this 

 method old trees can be renewed in vigor as well as in 

 form. Pruning can be performed at any time when the 

 leaves are off. If it is wished to make young trees pro- 

 duce early, they may be shortened in the last of July, the 

 year they are transplanted. Care should be taken that 



