62 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
which were untouched by the peach borer. What then, 
causes this disease—whence comes this poison, if it be 
such ? On this point I will hazard a conjecture, that it 
is derived from some unknown insect. My reasons for 
this conjecture, I shall give as briefly as possible. 
Animal matter, in contact with living portions of plants, 
causes, under some circumstances, a modification of the 
vegetable functions. Thus the egg of a small fly (cynips 
confluentus,) deposited in the leaf of the oak, causes the 
leaf to grow into the oak apple. In like manner are pro 
duced numerous excrescences, such as galls, cedar ap¬ 
ples, honeysuckle apples, black knots, &c. There is ano¬ 
ther effect of the same cause, not producing an excre¬ 
scence, but hastening the maturity of fruit. Thus the egg 
of the apple moth and the worm proceeding from it (car- 
pocapsa pomonella,) cause apples and pears to ripen 
prematurely; and we see the same effect in the cherry 
and peach, caused by the plum weevil. So, as we are 
informed, the ripening of figs is hastened by the process 
of caprijication; which consists in exposing the young 
fruit to small insects found in the wild fig. Now in the 
case of the Yellows, something operates upon the vital 
functions of the tree, causing latent buds to start and 
grow, not, it is true, into excrescences, but in an unnatu¬ 
ral manner—causing the fruit to ripen 3 or 4 weeks too 
soon: in this last particular being quite analogous to the 
effects of worms in apples, pears, peaches and cherries. 
May it not be inferred that effects so similar, have a sim¬ 
ilar cause ? To this it may be added, that the spreading 
of the disease, by degrees, from Philadelphia to other 
parts of the country; its appearing in patches (Sec. 12;) 
its seizing young and thrifty trees in preference to old 
and unthrifty ones (Sec. 11 and 16;) the escape from dis¬ 
ease of trees standing where persons are constantly pass¬ 
ing (Sec. 10;) the appearance of disease first in apart 
of the tree and then becoming general (Sec. 6;) are cir¬ 
cumstances which seem to me to strengthen the suspicion 
that some new, unknown, shy insect has been gradually 
extending itself from place to place, over the country, and 
poisoning our peach trees. 
Hitherto no means of warding off* or curing the Yel¬ 
lows, has come to my knowledge. Most of the applica¬ 
tions for the cure of the disease, have been made on the 
supposition that it was caused by the peach worm. Such 
are ashes, scalding water, charcoal, lime, salt, saltpetre, 
fish oil, and urine. All of them have more or less agen¬ 
cy in excluding the borer, but are not all effectual even 
for that purpose. Some of them have seemed to pro¬ 
mote for a time, the growth of the trees, and to give a 
deeper green to their leaves; but none, that I have ever 
observed, have at all checked the progress of the Yel¬ 
lows. I have tried some applications to the hark of dis¬ 
eased trees, such as diluted oil of vitriol, aqua fortis, 
strong ley of potash, and chloride of lime—not much ex¬ 
pecting success; for it is probable trees absorb nothing- 
through the bark. But until we know, as we never shall 
know, all the processes of nature, we cannot be sure be¬ 
forehand, what is to be the effect of any application to a 
living plant. Since the discovery of the means of infu¬ 
sing into living wood various substances, calculated to 
preserve it from decay or to give it desirable colors, by 
placing solutions of them in contact with the sap vessels, 
which are cut across, it may lead to a useful discovery, 
if diseased peach trees should be made to absorb a varie¬ 
ty of matters. Some one may be found, that will modify 
or change the diseased action of the tree—decompose the 
poison, if there be any. It is my intention next summer, 
to institute a series of experiments upon this plan, if I 
can find a sufficient number of suitable subjects to operate 
upon. Others perhaps may find it convenient and be dis¬ 
posed to try the same experiments. If they do, it will 
be gratifying, I have no doubt, to many of your readers, 
to see the result in the Cultivator. Noves Darling. 
New Haven, at., Dec. 2, 1844. 
INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS TO FARMERS. 
Mr. Editor —Since yours of the 5lh ult., I have, 
much to my regret, been unable till now to comply with 
your request, for an article interesting especially to far¬ 
mers of “ the Granite State.” And I must now, in a hur¬ 
ry, write just what comes to hand, or not at all. 
I beg the privilege of dropping an apology for my at¬ 
tention to agriculture, when the business of a Christian 
minister and a general educator, embraces the chief con¬ 
cerns of my life. 
Amidst mountains and streams in “the old Bay State,” 
I was raised a laborious farmer, till the age of twenty- 
one; the employment has always interested and pleased 
me, for its nature and importance; and I have needed its 
aid for recreation, health, and my support in my two 
other professions. Hence I have been, a large portion 
of my time, from graduating from college in 1808, a 
practical, experimental, though a moderate farmer, till I 
quit in the spring of 1843. 
There are many subjects of practical interest to New 
Hampshire agriculturists, common to all in the same bu¬ 
siness. I will just name some of these, sometimes drop¬ 
ping a hint or two as I pass along, and dwelling some on 
the production and application of manures, and then say 
a little on some things more appropriate to this State, and 
other northern, cold, rocky, mountainous and broken 
tracts of country, hoping that each item will be in due 
season, by abler hands, taken up and discussed in sepa¬ 
rate articles. 
I. Matters of general concern. —These are many; 
some of them are greatly important, and some, though 
of much consequence, have seldom, if ever, been suita¬ 
bly noticed and discussed in our agricultural papers. As, 
1. Economy in agricultural expenses.—I found means 
to get along comfortably with, I think, less than two- 
thirds of the outgoings to which most of my neighbors 
were subject for the same income. I saved much in ag¬ 
ricultural tools, and shoeing oxen and horses. Such is 
the provision of nature, that none, except for long jour¬ 
neys, and for slipperiness, need be shod at all. 
2. The management and application of labor.—Here I 
probably saved as much more; by expending sufficient 
labor in proper season, by strict economy in the arrange¬ 
ment of business, that time and labor may not be lost, or 
misapplied ; by using children’s help to save that of men; 
jand by laying out no more time and labor than necessary 
on any one business. This is a matter of great impor¬ 
tance. I once saw one of our first rate Cheshire farmers 
using two yoke of oxen, a horse, two men, and a great 
boy, in plowing, where I alone could plow as well or 
better, and as fast or fasler, with one good yoke of four 
year old cattle, or a stout horse! Now seethe difference 
in one item; and so of many others. 
3. The seeding department.—This is a material affair; 
including the quality, quantity, and acclimation of seed, 
the proper season of seeding, the manner of planting, and 
the preparation of the ground. 
4. Due attention to the preservation and growth of all 
articles between planting and harvest.—Till dry ground 
flat; but not wet ground. Prepare against drouth and 
frost, insects, vermin, and cattle. 
5. The subject of enclosure and fencing, of green fod¬ 
der for cattle in summer. 
6. The concerns of harvest.—Proper time; care in 
saving. The same produce of soil will avail much more 
with some than with others, by savingness. Save weeds, 
potato, pea and pumpkin vines, for hay. The seed of 
many weeds makes good meal for cattle. Foxtail, or 
barn grass, is a wild millet, and the seed should be caved 
and used. 
Allow a few couplets for boys to learn and sing, when 
harvesting: 
I. II. 
Make your own Candles. —Take 2 lbs. of alum for 
every 10 lbs. of tallow, dissolve it in water before the 
tallow is put in, and then melt the tallow in the alum wa¬ 
ter, with frequent stirring, and it will clarify and harden 
the tallow so as to make a most beautiful article for 
either winter or summer use, almost as good as sperm. 
In harvest, be saving, 
Or farewell to thriving. 
Save every potato, 
Nor slight a tomato; 
An apple or pumpkin 
Is surely worth something; 
Even acorn or nut 
Should ne’er be forgot. 
He that won’t stoop for bean or pea. 
Is not a man or boy for me. 
Whoso slights a small ear of corn 
Is not to wealth or honor born. 
The man who cares not for saving, 
Must soon beg or else be starving. 
It is always foolish to crave, 
When idle and careless to save. 
7. The grand affairs of storing safely, and in good or 
