Keeping the borers out of
the tree is far better than taking them out; and this can be
effected by wrapping the stem at the ground--two inches below the
surface, and five above--with strong hardware or sheathing paper.
If this is tied tightly about the tree, the moth cannot lay its
eggs upon the stem. A neighbor of mine has used this protection
not only on the peach, but also on the apple, with almost complete
success. Of course the pests will try to find their way under it,
and it would be well to take off the wrapper occasionally and
examine the trees. The paper must also be renewed before it is so
far decayed as to be valueless. It should be remembered also that
the borer will attack the trees from the first year of life to the
end.
In order to insure an unfailing supply of this delicious fruit, I
should advise that a few trees be set out every spring. The labor
and expense are scarcely greater than that bestowed upon a cabbage
patch, and the reward is more satisfactory.
For this latitude the following choice of varieties will prove, I
think, a good one: Early Alexander, Early Elvers, Princess of
Wales, Brandywine, Old Mixon Free, Stump the World, Picquet's
Late, Crawford's Late, Mary's Choice, White Free Heath, Salway,
and Lord Palmerston.
If the soil of one's garden is stiff, cold, adhesive clay, the
peach would succeed much better budded or grafted on plum-stocks.
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