148 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
hollows with water to the depth of 2 or 3 inches. The hollows or basins were 
filled up after the water had sunk into the soil. This was done three times 
during the time the fruit was swelling, and the effect was very remarkable— 
the fruit was above the ordinary size, and was well coloured and well flavoured. 
The water was withheld as soon as the fruit began to show signs of ripening, 
and was no more applied that season. The young wood was stronger, was 
well set with blossom-buds, and, as I was informed, the trees did equally well 
the following year. This example is, I think, worthy of imitation in all cases 
where the trees are rather weak, the border well drained, and where fine fruit 
is desired. 
Insects. —The insects that prey upon the Peach during the growing period 
are the red spider and the green fly ; woodlice and wasps also often feed upon 
the fruit when ripening. The red spider may be got rid of by frequent severe 
syringings. If very numerous, mix in the water some sulphur, which is also 
a remedy for mildew wherever it occurs. This remedy should be applied 
early in the season, but when the fruit is ripening it should be withheld, or it 
would disfigure the fruit; but if either the red spider or the mildew prevail 
after the fruit is gathered, then repeat the remedy till both are extirpated. 
The green fly is easily got rid of by syringing the trees once or twice with 
tobacco water. Woodlice harbour in old walls, and the only remedy is pointing- 
up the nail or other holes at the time the trees are loosened from the walls 
for pruning in the autumn. Considerable numbers may, however, be trapped 
during summer in hollow bean-stalks stuck behind the branches and emptied 
every day by blowing down them into a vessel containing very hot water. 
When wasps are very abundant set traps for them. Wide-mouthed bottles 
half-filled with some sweet liquor are excellent traps, as are also double hand¬ 
glasses, the under one set on four half-bricks, one at each corner, with a hole 
or two made at the top, and then place the other hand-glass on the top of the 
first. Put a plate containing sweet liquor on the ground under the hand-glasses; 
this will attract the w r asps, and when satiated they will fly upwards, and make 
their way into the upper glass, where they will soon exhaust themselves, and 
finally perish. If the wall is of great length, and wasps prevail very much, 
then these traps should be placed in a row in front of the wall at 20 or 30 feet 
apart. Of course the traps will catch not only the wasps that prey upon the 
Peaches, but also those that would otherwise attack any other kind of fruit in 
the garden. 
Winter Treatment. —This season commences as soon as the leaves have 
fallen. If the wood has been properly ripened the leaves will naturally fall 
off with the first frost. Collect them as soon as they fall and convey them to 
the rubbish-heap at once. Then loosen the trees from the wall, take off all 
the shreds, burn such as are decayed, and let such as are fit to be used again be 
put into boiling water to destroy the insects and their eggs. The nails should 
be carefully diawn out of the wall, and in order to do so without drawing away 
the mortar give each nail a gentle tap with the hammer. To cleanse them 
from dirt and rust throw them into a vessel containing hot oil, and let them, 
steep for a few hours. Then take them out and put a few at a time in a rough, 
coarse bag, and shake them well backwards and forwards. This operation will 
cleanse and keep them from rusting, and will destroy insect life thoroughly. 
The trees should be drawn from the wall, and the wall itself should be 
thoroughly cleansed, and repaired if necessary. If the red spider has prevailed 
during the summer it will be advisable to make up a mixture of sulphur and 
soft soap, and paint the wall with it, rubbing it well into the crevices and nail- 
holes. The trees also should be painted over with this mixture, moistening 
every part of the trees, especially on the side of the branches next the wall. 
