
          270

with magnificent peach orchards, the most of which continued
in successful bearing until about 1848 to 1850; by 1855 the 
yellows had taken possession of nearly all the orchards and
peach culture in this section was at an end; however before
this time many of our peach growers had purchased farms in
Kent and Cecil counties, Md., where they planted extensive
peach orchards and have grown peaches successfully there until
about 1836, when the history of yellows seems to be there repeating
itself.

Mr. William Reybold, (son of Major Philip Reybold) says
"the disease that destroyed the orchards of this county was
undoubtedly the yellows and if any one [is] familiar with peach
culture [he] can hardly mistake the yellows for ordinary prematuring."
This opinion is concurred in by other peach growers
of this locality.  I have not yet found any one who is able
to tell me the cause of this disease, nor the cure, they all
however claim that it is contagious.  Wm. Reybold thinks it
originated in the nurseries by planting seed from grafted or
diseased trees, and budding from nursery trees, or non-bearing
trees.  Mr. C. Reeves' opinion is that the soil has been robbed of
some property necessary for the nourishment of the tree and
fruit, or has gained some property from the air or other
        