1874. ] 
EARLY PEACHES. 
107 
For instance, the dark spots common on Eose-leaves are due to a parasitic fungus 
called Asteroma rosce^ wliicli often causes them to fall off at Midsummer. The 
spores seem to be preserved in the spots on the membranes of the decayed leaves 
until spring, when they open and give out the spores in the same way as those of 
the Sycamore blotches. Perhaps the best remedy for all such pests is to remove 
and burn the decayed leaves, and also a little of the surface-soil from under the 
trees and bushes. 
In the case of the Vine mildew, the spores lie torpid during winter in the 
dark spots or marks on the previous season’s shoots which have been affected, 
and then renew the pest. When the leaves and tender shoots are attacked, the 
prescribed remedies [sulphur excepted] are of little avail, especially when applied 
by unskilful hands ; the safest and best remedy is that of painting the vines after 
they are pruned with a strong mixture of nearly equal proportions of lime, soot, 
sulphur, and soap; after pruning, it is desirable to pick up even the smallest twigs 
and burn them, because they may contain spores which may vegetate in spring, and 
thus affect the vines afresh. I have, however, no faith in the opinion that the kind 
of mildew in question will grow on dead wood, nor even on the roots of trees, as 
some other kinds of fungus do. Lately when renewing an old vine border, I 
found the roots partly decayed, and covered with fungus-spawn, which brought 
to my mind the erroneous belief that mildew on vines proceeds from the roots. 
To test this, I put some of the spawn into a box among fresh soil, and from it I 
had a crop of toadstools!—J. Wighton, Cossey Parle. 
EAELY PEACHES. 
f T is very interesting to read the remarks of Mr. Eadcliffe, on both the early 
and late Peaches which were raised by Mr. Eivers, because his experience 
f gained at Okeford-Fitzpaine is totally different from that of the veteran 
grower at Sawbridgeworth. I have not grown Early Louise., but Early 
Beatrice and Early Rivers have borne crops of fruit at Loxford Hall for at least 
five seasons. They are both acquisitions for their earliness, the fruit is only of 
medium size, but ripens at least three weeks before Early York. Early Beatrice 
is a few days earlier than Early Eivers, and is hardier withal, and the fruit keeps 
better after it is ripe than does that of Early Eivers. 
I can testify from experience that these early Peaches are very valuable for 
Orchard-house culture, and no doubt they will be equally valuable for walls. 
One desirable quality which pertains to the seedlings raised by Mr. Eivers is 
that they nearly all set their fruit freely, which is a very important consideration. 
What would be very desirable now, would be an Early Peach to ripen with 
Early Beatrice, and with fruit of the same quality and size as Eoyal George. We 
also require an early Nectarine. Hunt’s Tawny is of fair size, but not quite second- 
rate as regards flavour. A much better Nectarine, larger and of superior flavour, 
is a seedling, or rather, I believe, a sport, from one of Mr. Eivers’ Early Peaches, 
named Lord Napier. I had a good crop of this from a pot-tree last season, and 
