
          123

Wilkins was desirous that he should have an opportunity of
seeing, on the ground where it is playing such havock [havoc]. the
Aphis which infests the peach crop and threatens to materially
lessen if not entirely destroy the product of that fruit in
the section which seems by nature especially adapted to its
growth.  An examination  showed that these minute insects were
numerous [July] as well on the leaves as on the root, and
Prof. Uhler was fully satisfied, we believe, that they are
identical, and that they are the Aphis chrysanthemi [Koch]
and not the Aphis Persicae, as often assumed.  Col. Wilkins
says they are this year far less numerous and destructive
than last season and this fact confirms his belief in the 
periodicity of their appearance on the leaves.

"In an orchard of 15,000 trees, originally planted with
Rivers' Early Beatrice, the destruction by this pest has been
so great, that there have been successive planting to the
number of 20,000 trees, so that of the original trees probably
not three hundred remain.  A number were dug up and it 
was found that last year's roots had in almost every case
been denuded by the aphis of their fibrous feeders, but that
in many instances the trees had asserted themselves and put
fourth fresh rootlets, which enbled them to maintain a bare
existence."--Ed. of The Am.Famer, 1875, pp. 278-79.
        