i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, ? -V/.// .v<^& <<^ y^'^ // ^ \', !U\ITED STATES OF AMERICA, # / PEACH CULTURE. BY JAMES ALEXANDER FULTON. ^ DOVER, DELAWAEE. ILLUSTRATED. ^C' NEW YORK: ORANGE JUDD AND COMPANY, 245 BROADWAY. En'itred according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S70, by ORANGE JUDD & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New Yorlr. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVEENOE aOVE SAULSBUET, MY ESTEEMED FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR, THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY The Author. PREFACE. Within the List few years, fruit culture, in all its varie- ties, has greatly increased in this country ; so that, to-day, it is one of the leading interests. Fruit growers' associa- tions have been formed, and many periodicals established, to advocate and advance their intei'ests. Their usefulness has been undoubted, and their success very encouraging. Amongst the fruits, tlie Peachy if not the most, is one of the most important of all. It is so easily raised, comes into bearing so soon, and is so delicious, as well as beau- tiful, it is impossible that it should not be a favorite. The consequence is that, in the sections specially con- ducive to its cultivation, almost every farm has an orchard, and some farms are but one continuous orchard; and sometimes farm after farm is devoted to peaches. Within the circle of our own knowledge, the quantity of land planted in peaches, by individual planters, varies from five acres to six hundred. Some planters have set as many as twenty thousand trees in a single season. Or- chards of twenty, thirty, and fifty acres are not at all in- frequent. Living in the very center of the peach-growing district ; sharing the common interest felt in the subject ; deeply impressed with its importance to the individual planters themselves, and also to the community at large ; and be- lieving that we could do a lasting benefit to both, have induced us to prepare, and now offer to the public, the following little treatise on peach culture. Our aim has been, 5 6 PEACH CULTURE. 1. To give plain, simple and specific directions for rearing tlie trees ; for planting and cultivating an orchard ; for gathering and marketing the fruit, with some data as to its profitableness as a distinct branch of agriculture. 2. To point out, clearly and distinctly, the impositions practiced by railroad companies and consignees upon planters, and the means of redress. 3. To indicate and briefly describe the varieties that pay, and the way to enable young planters, as well as old ones, planting new orchards, to select the most profit- able kinds, and thus benefit the whole community by in- creasing the productiveness of our farms, and the profits of our planters. Our effort has been to make it a hand-book and guide to every planter, to be used as a student uses his diction- ary in the acquisition of a language. It has been Avritten piecemeal, in mere snatches of time, gleaned, from the pressing engagements of professional life, with constant interruptions and diversions. In these brief periods, ranging from five minutes to an hour or two, this little work has been prepared ; and our fear is that it will bear the marks of haste and incompleteness on its face. Of its general utility, and substantial ac- curacy, we have no doubt, and cheerfully submit it to the numerous, intelligent and resi)ectable peach growers of our country. CONTENTS. Introduction Page 9 CHAPTER I. Site of Nursery 29 CHAPTER II. Seed 31 CHAPTER III. Seed-Bed 36 CHAPTER IV. Preparation of Ground for Nursery 37 CHAPTER V. Planting the Seed 40 CHAPTER VI. Nursery Cultivation 42 CHAPTER \^I. Buds 44 CHAPTER VIII. Budding 48 CHAPTER IX. Cultivation of Buds 56 CHAPTER X. Taking Up and Sending to Market 62 CHAPTER XI. Selecting a Site for an Orchard 68 CHAPTER XH. Planting an Orchard T2 CHAPTER Xni. Orciiard Ccltiyation 18 7 b PEACH CULTURE. CHAPTER XIV. Coming In 85 CHAPTER XV. Baskets and Crates 87 CHAPTER XVI. Transportation 93 CHAPTER XVII. Consignees 94 CHAPTER XVIII Ladders 99 CHAPTER XIX. SUIPPING 100 CHAPTER XX. Picking 103 CHAPTER XXI. Returns 108 CHAPTER XXII. Markets Ill CHAPTER XXIII. Profit 113 CHAPTER XXIV. Culture after a Crop 114 CHAPTER XXV. Uses 118 CHAPTER XXVI. Insects and Diseases 120 CHAPTER XXVII. Special Culture 136 CHAPTER XXVIII. The Peacu-Housb 144 CHAPTER XXIX. Varieties 151 CHAPTER XXX. Descriptive Catalogue 163 CHAPTER XXXI. Fancy Varieties 185 INTRODUCTION. In some sections of our country, Peaches are a staple production, and predominant interest, and tlieir cultiva- tion is very rapidly increasing. In these it is no longer an experiment, but an established, understood, and suc- cessful business ; and, like other established interests, is pi'osecuted with skill, economy, and profit. But not so everyAvhere. New districts are opening up ; new men are engaging in the business ; thousands of acres are devoted to peach orchards where none were known before. The area of the Peach is not only widening, but is transferring itself to new fields. But the skill neces- sary to success does not always accompany new enter- prises. Amateurs, fortune-seekers, and novices of all kinds, impelled by the love of Nature, in one of her most beautiful forms, or the hope of fortunes, rapidly gained, become planters. The end — covering our beautiful hills, and vales, and plains, with rich, luscious fruits — is a noble and laudable aim. Every one should rejoice at it ; every one should encourage and aid it. It is a public benefac- tion. It should enlist our patriotism and benevolence. But the uninstructed must, necessaril}^, err. Art is not the result of instinct, but the product of education. The unskilled must be instructed ; those who do not know how, must learn. Peach growing must be learned as well as other things ; and, although the interest is already im- mense, and rapidly inci'easing, yet no practical treatise on this subject has been published. Planters who have not had personal experience, have been left to grope in the dark — to try, fail, and try again. This, in many cases, has been expensive ; in some, ruinous ; in all, vexatious. To avoid this, and to make clear what, to some, at least, 9 1* 10 PEACH CULTURE. may be obscure, these pages have been prepared. They have been written with tliat view, and for tliat purpose, and are very minute in details, and severely practical in description. In this introductory chapter, w^e propose to speak of matters of a more general nature ; not, indeed, essential to success in business, but, nevertheless, interesting, and useful to the intelligent and cultivated planter. Most of our large peach growers are gentlemen of wealth, refinement, and leisure ; many of great social, and some of high official, position. They have engaged in this honorable and delightful pursuit not only as a means of increasing their revenues, but also of gratifying their rural tastes. In the early spring, the soft and delicate tints of the peach blossoms gladden the eye, while the air becomes fragrant with their delightful perfume. In the high noon of summer, Beauty crowns herself with Plenty, and dispenses health, wealth, and happiness, in her flowery way. Thus, flowers and fruit, beauty and use, are delightfully blended, and the peach plantations become at once a source of present gratitude and future hope to their owners. Such planters will be expected, and should be able, not only to tell how peaches are grown, and where they are sold, but also to speak of their origin and history, the countries in which they flourish, and the latitudes that limit their production. In tlie brief space of an introduction, we can only give an outline of the subject, which we hope will be useful, not so much for what it imparts, as for stimulating a de- sire to know more. To trace the history of the peach, from its origin to the present day, Avould be a very inter- esting and pleasing task, and we cordially commend it to the many intelligent and public spirited planters on the Delaware Peninsula, who have both the leisure and abili- ty, to perform it in a manner worthy of the subject. INTRODTJCTION. ] 1 The botanical name of the peach is best known as Amygdahis Persica, though the late authorities unite the Peach, Apricot, Plum, and Cherry, all in one genus, under Prunus. For the purposes of the present work, we retain the older name, Amygdalus^ which is a genus of the Natural Order Posaceci', and under the Linncan classification, is placed in the class and order Icosandria Monogynia. The genus consists of trees or shrubs, with simple leaves. Calyx with a bell-shaj)ed tube, and five spreading lobes, deciduous. Petals five, inserted at the throat of the calyx tube. Stamens numerous, Avith slen- der filaments. Pistil solitary, with a single style. Fruit a fleshy drupe, usually velvety, with a bony jjutamen, or stone, much roughened with wrinkles and holes ;* the kernel, or seed, proper, having the flavor of prussic acid. There are ten species of the genus, the most important of which are Amy^dalus Persica. — The Peach. Drupe fleshy, and indehiscent. Introduced from Persia, but unknown in the wild state, and is supposed to have originated from the Almond. The flesh in some varieties readily separates from the stone (free stones), and in others it adheres with more or less firmness (clings). A smooth variety, var. laevis, is the Nectarine ; a double-flowering one is culti- vated for ornament, and a variety, with the fruit curi- ously compressed, is the Flat Peach, of China. At communis. — Almond. The drupe dry, and ir- regularly dehiscent (as it is in all the following species) ; leaves oblong, lanceolate ; calyx bell-shaped. Tree twenty or more feet high. Native of Maurtiania, and the moun- tainous parts of Asia. There arc numerous varieties, Avith sweet and bitter kernels. * The name Aniyi^dalus has reference to this character of the stone, it beinj derived from tlie Greeli word to lacerate. 12 PEACH CULTURE. At nana. — Dwarf Almond. Leaves oblong-linear, tapered at the base ; calyx cylindrically bell-shaped ; fruit, as in A. communis, but smaller ; a low shrub. A native of Northern Asia, sometimes cultivated in gardens for its double and white flowered varieties. A. orientalis — Leaves lanceolate, nearly entire, and with the small branches silvery-downy. A large shrub ;* a native of the Levant. Ai €ochinchinensiS. — Leaves, ovate, entire, shiny; flowers, white. A large tree ; a native of Cochin China. Of the first species, the Peach of the English ; the Peehe of the French; the Pesca of the Italians; the Persigo of the Spaniards ; the Persego of the Portuguese, and the PJirsirh of the Germans, there are generally i-eck- oned two varieties — the Peach proper, Avith downy fruit, and the Nectarine^ with smooth fruit. There is abundant evidence that the latter is a mere accidental production of the former. The general characteristics are identical, while the difference is but slight, and consists principally in the presence or absence of the pubescence on the skin. The Nectarine, both in tree and fruit, is not so vigorous, hardy, or durable as the peach ; it is more easily affected by disease, and the attacks of insects; sheds its fruit more easily, and oftener fails to produce a crop. The Peach is a tree of medium size, with a spreading head ; long, narrow, lanceolate, and serrate leaves, which are of a deep green color, until late in the fall, when they assume a brown or yellow tinge; flowers, pink and rose-colored, profuse, and fragrant; fruit, rich, juicy, vinous and melting, when highly cultivated, but often small, hard, and bitter, when neglected. For size, quality, productiveness, and value, it may be regarded as the queen of stone fruits. The size of the tree varies very much, owing to the dif- ference in soil, climate, and cultivation. In the cold re- -• INTUODUCTIOX. 13 gions of the Xortli, it seldom attains a diameter of more than five or six inches, and a heiglit of fifteen or twenty feet, while in the generous soil and genial clime of the South, it frequently grows to the height of thirty feet, or even more, and swells to a diameter of eighteen or twenty inches. We have ourselves seen them of fully this Litter size in Arkansas and Texas ; and in August, 18G9, some old trees were measured on the Delaware Bay and found to have a girth of nearly six feet. The tree is supjioscd to be short-lived, and, except in a genial soil, may be so regarded. But even in latitude 41° North, it has attained its three-score years, vigorous in old age, and still producing respectable crops of good fruit. Such instances, however, are rare. Farther South, it lives rnuch longer ; and on the Peninsula, and in East- ern Virginia, there are still standing many flourishing trees, which were planted more than seventy years ago; and if they receive the attention they should, it is be- lieved they will live to be a hundred years old. In France, there are several well attested cases of ti"ees being in good condition when over ninety years old. It has been noted in these cases that the trees all become hollow, while the shell retains its thrift and vigor. It is also to be remarked that, in none of these instances does the size ever approach that attained in our own land ; the largest, so far as we have observed, not exceeding one foot in diameter. Eight of these venerable old trees may still bo seen on a terrace wall, at the Chateau de Villiers, near Ferte-Aleps. They still produce abundantly ; and the gardener affirms that, thirty years ago, when he took charge of the grounds, they were as large as now. Their productiveness he attributes to careful pruning. But what gardener ever doubted but that success was at- tributable to his skill ! In the transactions of the Horticultural Society of France, published a few years since, an account of an- 14 PEACH CULTUltE. Other remarkable tree was given. It was found in the grounds of Monsieur Jubert, near Villeneuve, and was trained on one of the Avings of liis mansion, which it nearly covered. It was known, certainlj", to be over ninety-three years old, and believed to be more than one Inmdred. It was still in good health and vigor, and pro- duced good crops regularly. It was carefully pruned every year. With this exception, it received no special attention. Notwithstanding its great age, it had only at- tained a diameter of ten inches a short distance above the ground — not half so great as some of our trees in Dela- ware, not half so old. The peach is propagated by seed, by grafting, and by bud- ding. Propagation from fruit or seed is the natural way, and the only source of new varieties. Trees produced from seed are more vigorous, freer from disease, hardier, more certain bearers, and live longer than Avhen produced by inocculn- tion; but as the character of the fruit is uncertain, and the quality generally inferior, this method has been altogether discarded, except Avlien new varieties are sought. Although the .peach may be grafted with success, yet it is so tedious and unsatisfactory, when compared with budding, that it has been totally abandoned for the latter, which now re- mains the only means in iise for propagating the peach. The Peach is supposed to be a native of Persia, and its botanical name refers to that origin. It is known to have flourished in both Persia and China at a very early period, and \\as highly valued in both countries. It has often been found growing spontaneously in Asiatic Turkey. It is men- tioned by Pliny, and several other classical writers, and many anecdotes are related of the veneration and even superstition with which it was regarded by the Asiatics. There is no doubt but it was one of the " Trees of the Garden" which God planted in Eden, and which were to nourish and cheer our first parents in their pristine purity and happiness. It is not mentioned in ITTTRODUCTION. 15 the Bible, but its congeBer, the almond, is mentioned sev- eral time:*, find as early as the days of Jacob. And we find, when he was preparing his present for the Governor of Egypt, he commanded his sons to take " myrrh, nuts, and almonds " as a gift, showing the esteem in which it was then held. Again, in the di- rections for making the golden Candlestick, among the ornaments, the myrtle and ahnond are mentioned as of the chief. The Peach, like civilization itself, traveled from this centre Westward into Euroj^e, and we find it mentioned in Roman history in the reign of the Emperor Claudius. It was highly valued by the patricians of Rome, and was cultivated by them as one of their choicest luxuries. It is still a standard tree in Italy. It was introduced into England from Italy, about the middle of the sixteenth century, and has been cultivated there as an exotic ever since. Her cool, moist climate, however, prevents its general cultivation, and it is only grown on walls or under glass, and the fruit is seldom seen except on the tables of the aristocracy. Even in France, where the climate is much milder, it is not always reared without protection, and the fruit has never gone into general use, but is a delicacy confined to the wealthy alone, the cultivation being confined princi- pally to gardens. In China it is extensively cultivated in the gardens of the rich, and has attained an extraordinary size. But of their manner of propagation and culture but little is yet known, owing to the exclusive policy heretofoi'e pursued by that ancient Emjiire. Now, since its amelioration, among the many other benefits hoped for, a more accu- rate and complete knowledge of the peach is one. The Chinese are great gardeners, and much aftect the curious in horticultural as in other arts, and we may expect to learn much that is interesting, if not useful. We know 16 PEACn CULTUIIE. already that they produce peaclies of very large size, and two, at least, of rare shape, — the Chinese Flat, and Crooked Peach. With this beginning, we will not be surprised at still more curious developments. The curiosity, ingenuity, and enterprise of our countrymen will soon discover whatever may be known. It is to our credit that the United States is the only country in the world that, either in ancient or modern times, has produced peaches in sufficient quantities to al- low them to become a common marketable commodity ; BO cheap that the poor, as well as the rich, may regale themselves and their families with one of the most whole- some and delicious of fruits at a very small expense, and with every prospect that they will still be more abund- ant and cheap. "While these pages are being written, peaches are selling in the New York market for thirty- five and seventy-five cents a basket ; and the receipts vary from fifty to one hundred and sixty thousand bas- kets per day. While the Peach can be successfully cultivated in the United States, out-of-doors, anywhere south of 42° North latitude, and under an altitude of nine tliousand feet, yet it is not. a sure crop north of 40°. But south of this, even to Florida and Texas, it flourishes with the greatest luxu- riance. Still thei'e are some localities and sections that, owing to their peculiar topography and soil, are much better suited to this fruit than others. First amongst these stands the Delaware Peninsula, embracing the State of Delaware, and the eastern shore of Maryland and Vir- ginia, a territory of about six thousand square miles. Within these limits it is believed more peaclies are pro- duced than in any other of the same extent anywhere. The centre of this peach-producing region is Kent County, Delaware, which produces more peaclies, and of better quality, than any other territory of the same size in the world. IlfTHODUCTION. 17 AVitli an area of six hundred square miles, or three hundred and eighty-four thousand acres, she will send to market the present season, 1869, about one million baskets. The estimate made for her by the Peninsula Fruit Grcnccrs' Associat/o», on the 18th of May, 1869, was six hundred and twenty-five thousand baskets; but now, August 12th, in the midst of the pick- ing season, it is manifest that that estimate is much too low. It is here the largest orchards, as well as the finest fruit, are found. One planter, within a short distance of Dover, has six hundred acres of peach orcliard. Many others have from ten to twenty thousand trees, and often ship from ten to fifteen hundred baskets a day. In New Castle County, adjoining, there are some very fine orchards, and great and special care is taken in their cultivation. Fine, erect trees, head rows nicely trimmed, and a smooth, clean surface, attest the taste and care of their proprietors. It is a pleasure to look at them. But the soil is a little too heavy, and the climate a shade colder thnn in Kent ; and, consequently, the peaches do not come in so early, crops oftener miss, and the cultivation is not quite so much a success. The three great shipping points of this county are Odessa, Middletown, and Townsend, from all of which large quantities of beautiful and deli- cious fruit arc shipped. In Sussex County, just south of Kent, the extensive cultivation of the peach is but of recent date. The soil is lighter, which will tend to advance the maturity of the fruit as well as the tree, and thus enable planters to put their peaches into market several days earlier, than in Kent and New Castle, Avhich is a considerable advantage. Several new railroads have been completed within her borders during the present year, which will aflfbrd her greater facilities to get to market, and stimulate still fur- ther this great and greatly increasing interest. 18 PEACH CULTURE. The prospects now are that, in a few years, Sussex County will rival Kent in the extent and value of her i:>each crop. The Maryland counties lying contiguous are also in- creasing their peach area; and, in consequence of the completion of several branch railroads, peach growing will receive a strong impetus. Their soil and climate are in all respects well adapted to the production of this de- licious fruit. The two Virginia counties on the eastern shore possess equal natural advantages, but the want of railroad facili- ties has heretofore prevented them from availing them- selves of such to the same extent as their neighbors. There can be no doubt that the Delaware Peninsula alone, has capacity to produce peaches enough to supply Pennsylvania, New York, New England, and Canada. The crop of the Peninsula for 18G9 has been estimated as high as four million baskets, but we think this too high. It has certainly been three millions, or more ; perhaps three and a half. This estimate is made principally from actual statistics. The i-ailroad carried 2,115,500; the steamers, from Mahon, about 300,000 ; from other points, probably 800,000 ; in all, 3,215,500. New Jersey was the first to engage in peach culture ex- tensively, and for export, and, for many years, took the lead. But, more recently, she has nearly abandoned the business, except in a few localities. Several causes have contributed to this result. One of these has been the prevalence of the Yelloics, which has ravaged her beauti- ful orchards with remorseless fury. This fatal disease seems not only to be epidemic there, but localized, and chronic. Young orchards are attacked almost as soon as they come into bearing, and are generally worthless after the second crop. Another is, that the cultivation of small fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, has been found INTRODUCTION. 19 much more profitable, as well as the returns quickei-, and thousands of acres have been given to them. Still another is, that the richer soil, milder climate, earlier maturity, and finer fruit of the Peninsula, ha^e rendered competition useless in this branch of agricul- ture. The result is, that she has wisely abandoned peach culture, as a leading interest, and devoted herself dili- gently to berries, in which she has been eminently suc- cessful. Her crop of peaches now, even in a good season, does not exceed two hundred thousand baskets. It is sold in New York and Philadelphia. Ohio ranks high as a peach growing State. Along the lake shore, on the sand-stone hills of the Ohio river, and on the uplands of the Miami valley, large quantities of peaches are raised. Thin land, and higli ridges, suit best. The orchards are generally small, — not exceeding two thousand trees, and seldom half so many. The trees commence bearing, if the season be favorable, the third year, and average two or three crops. The average pro- duction is about half a bushel to a tree. The fruitful seasons are generally five or six in a period of ten years. Much of the fruit is shipped to Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other points. It is usually sent in bushel boxes. The price varies very much, as it does everywhere. Fifty cents to four dollars per bushel may be set down as the extremes, and the net returns to the planter from naught to two dollars — tlie earliest and latest varieties being the most profitable. The crop of 18G7 was very large, and was returned by the assessors of internal revenue for that year at an aggregate of 1,450,000 bushels. Our private in- formation leads us to believe this an over estimate. In 18C9, it is set down at 599,499 bushels. There is no doubt but that it may be greatly increased ; but were it double what it is, it could all be consumed within the limits of the State, and a few neighboring cities. In addition to the 20 PEACH CULTURE. horer and yellows, the planter lias to contend with the curcidio, which is much more injurious and troublesome. In no part of the world, perhaps, is the ameliorating influence of large bodies of Avater on temperature more distinctly marked than in Michigan. This State, with the exception of a naiTow strip on her southern border, not exceeding twenty miles wide, lies north of forty-two north latitude. The northern limits of Ohio and Indiana bound her on the south. She is north of Omaha, Dcs Moines, Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, and New York ; and a parallel line, extended from her centre, eastward, would cut through Canada, New York, Ver- mont, New Hampshire, IMaine, and Nova Scotia ; and westward, through Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Idaho, and Oregon, Yet, notwithstanding all this, she stands in the front rank of fi'uit growing States, and competes with Ohio and California in the production oi peaches! Her success in the cultivation of this fruit is wonderful, and, it is believed, altogether uni^recedented in the same high latitude. But a satisfactory explanation is found in her happy geographical position, which is as imique as her productions are remarkable. She is almost surrounded hy water I The great lake, whose name she bears, covers her on the west and north-west, as with a blanket, and soft- ens the dry piercing winds of those regions, until they become moist and almost balmy. Lake Huron performs the same kind oftice for her on the north and north-cast ; while Erie supplements the good work on the south-east. These lakes ai'e immense bodies of water, hundreds of miles long, and about a hundred wide, and from a hundred and fifty to a thousand feet deep, and the climatic influence they exert is w^onderful and highly beneficial. Hence it is that Michigan, lying between 42° and 45°, ranks as a first class fruit producing State, and can successfully compete with Ohio and California in the production of peaches. Her last crop was reported at seven hundred and fifty- INTRODUCTION. 21 one thousand six hundred and twenty-eight baskets, valu- ed at seventy-five cents a basket, or five hundred and six- ty-three thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars, in the aggregate. The sandy lands of the western shore are found to be best for peach culture; and both land and water here combine to produce, in great excellence, this delicious fruit. The close proximity of Chicago and Milwaukee affords a good and convenient market for the planters in the west; and Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland for those in the east. In Southern Illinois the Peach does very well. In the north it is too cold. Tliin soils, hills, ridges, and light prairies do best, as the uplands about Alton, and prairies in the neighborhood of Centralia. The average production per tree is about half a bushel. The fruit is principally shipped to Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and some other minor jioints. We have been unable to obtain reliable information either in regard to the quantity produced or the special culture ; but it is believed to be almost identical with that of Ohio. Peaches are also cultivated to some extent in Indiana ; more especially in the south-west, and on the shores of Lake Michigan in the nortli. Most of the fruit, however, is consumed at home. It has never attracted much atten- tion, or elicited any decided effort. Her clay lands, and, in some places, springy soil, seem to forbid the successful cultivation of the Peach. In special localities it could no doubt, be made remunerative ; and, to some extent, has been. Kentucky has a more congenial soil and climate, which ought to command complete success ; yet it has never be- come a leading pursuit. This may be, in part, attributable to her great capacity and success in corn and stock rais- ing, and in part to early bias, strengthened and confirmed 22 PEACn CULTURE. into habitual tendency. Portions of the State are eminently adapted to peach growing, while her proximity to good markets, with great facilities, both by land and water, to reach them, are strong incentives to engage in this delight- ful rural pursuit. Peach culture, however, in Kentucky, is confined principally to the borders on the Ohio river, and the vicinity of Cincinnati and Louisville. Along the Ohio very little is raised for market, but much for home con- sumption ; while in the neighborhood of Louisville, enough is raised to supply the city, and some for export. Very fine peaches are raised in Missouri, especially on the hills and near rivers. Other interests have hitherto engaged the attention and eflbrts of her people ; but with a climate and soil so kind, transportation so easy and cheap, and markets so near and good, she cannot much longer refrain from engaging extensively in this delightful pursuit ; and before years have elapsed, we will not be surprised to see Missouri take a prominent position in Peach Culture. She already ranks high as a wine grow- ing State. Her sister Kansas has already distinguished herself for the variety, beauty, and excellency of her fruit, as well as the interest and enterprise she has shown in its culture. At the great National Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1869, few displays were more admired or commended than hers ; and her peaches were especially attractive. For a young State she has shown very commendable zeal. In Arkansas and Texas peaches do well, and the trees attain an enormous size. But the cultivation receives but little attention ; the orchards are small, and the aggregate number of trees inconsiderable. This is partly owing to the want of knowledge, and consequent indifference, on the part of the people ; but principally to the want of good markets and easy access INTRODUCTION. 23 to them, whereby the culture might be made profitable. When these are afibrded, it will no doubt increase. Along the Atlantic slope, from Sandy Hook to Capo Sable, there is scarcely a district in which the Peach does not flourish. Of New Jerse}% Delaware, and Maryland, we have al- ready spoken. The remaining Atlantic States, without exception, produce peaches, and of great excellence. But the culture has languished from the same cause, but not to the same degree, as that operating in Arkansas and Texas, the want of a convenient market and cheap trans- portation. They have no great cities at hand, with their swarming millions, to consume their surplus ; hence the cultivation has been confined to a sufficiency for home use. But the recent and rapid extension of railroad facilities, has given a new impetus to this branch of agriculture ; and Avithin the last three years, it is believed at least two hundred thousand trees have been planted on the Atlantic slope south of Maryland. Most of these, perhaps four- fifths, have been planted in Virginia and iSTorth Carolina. In the latter, one company have set from eighty thous- and to one hundred thousand trees. In Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, they grow luxuri- antly, although they have not yet received special atten- tion, having been overshadowed by other interests. Virginia may be regarded as the mother of Peaches as well as of Presidents, for, for more than half a century she was the principal peach grower of the Union ; and while Pennsylvania and New Jersey were cultivating a few trees in fence rows and gardens, she had large and flourishing orchards, numbering thousands of trees. The seed was brought from England by the early settlers, and found here a much more congenial soil and clime than in the mother country. Indeed, it is worthy of remark, that almost every variety brought from England does better 24 PEA.C1I CULTURE. here than there ; while those taken from here, do worse. The reason is found in the difference of soil and climate. Fifty years ago, peaches, in Virginia, were raised prin- cipally for distillation, and from them was made a strong, but pure, spirit, called Peach JBrandy^ a very popular diink, and, jjerhaps, as harmless as any of its class. In the peach districts, every neighborhood had its distillery, as every one had its mill, and the surrounding planters either got their fruit distilled on shares, or sold it to the owner of a still. In the latter case, the usual jn-ice was twelve and a half cents per bushel^ and good brandy could be bought at prices ranging from twenty to fifty cents per gallon ! But that was before internal revenue officers were known, and before the producer had to pay a tenth or more of all he made to the tax gatherer. In those halcyon days, what a man made was his own, and he was allowed to enjoy it without fear of having to share it with strangers who had not assisted in its pro- duction. But peaclies increased, while brandy drinking decreased, and their cultivation ceased to be j^rofitable. Hence, it was almost abandoned, except for home use, and Virginia fell far behind New Jersey and Delaware as a peach grow- ing State. But the same causes that are operating in the States further south of lier, influence her also ; and it is believed that, in a very few years, she will again place lierself in the front rank of producers. In New England the Peach does not do well, and is but little cultiA^ated. Her soil is not the best, but the most serious obstacles are found in her long, severe Avinters, and cold, moist, north-easterly winds, which must always prevent its general or extensive cultivation. But in pro- tected situations, on the south sides of warm walls, under glass, and in pots, it is successfully cultivated as a eboice luxury. And in this, as in other exotics, art and perse- verance compel nature to yield her choicest sweets. It is INTKODUCTION. 25 remarked here, as in other parts of the country, thnt the Peach does not succeed as well as formerly; oftener fails to jiroduce a crop, and is more liable to disease and insects. This deterioration, as elsewhere, is attributed to various causes, but the more common opinion seems to be that it is due to climatic modifications. In the absence of satis- factory data, we are inclined to believe that, in all cases, it was owing more to the change in aliments of the soil than anything else. In new lands, inhere vegetable mould was abundant, we hace never Jcnoxon the Pea'-h to fall. If the same plant-food could be continuously furnished, we doubt not the same vigor would characterize the tree, and the same crops would be produced. But truly, much is yet to be learned in regard to the Peach. Many crude and fantastic notions have been entertained and advanced iu regard to it. A single incident, some fortuitous cir- cumstance it may be, has fixed a thought in the mind, and this has produced a theory which has been advanced, ad- vocated, disseminated, and reiterated until it has grown into a popular fallacy. Half a century ago, Mr. Thomas Coulter, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, insisted that the only successful way to obtain a good, healthy peach orchard, was to cut dotcn the trees when three years old — just be- fore coming-in — then let t.he sprouts grow up all around the old stump iintil they should come into bearing, three years after, when they would naturally be reduced to about half a dozen young, thrifty, and productive ti-ees ! Unique and peculiar as this system was, it found many advocates, and was gravely and elaborately supported in erudite treatises ! On the Pacific coast, tlie Peach, like almost every other fruit, finds a congenial home, and is extensively culti- vated even as far north as Oregon. But California, that wonderful land of surpassing richness, not only in gold and silver, and precious stones, but in silk, w^heat and wine, and oranges, and pomegranates, and apples, and 2 26 PEACH CULTUEE. pears, also produces jwe«cAes in large and increasing quan- tities. Here the peach comes in much sooner than is known elsewhere ; it is even asserted that a seed, sown at the proper season, Avill j^roduce fruit in eighteen months, Avhile the ordinary time is no more than two years. Until recently its cultivation has received hut little at- tention. The want of a near and profitable market, the perishable nature of the fruit itself, the superior keeping qualities of others; the leading interest of the mines, and the high price of labor, naturally and necessarily retarded Peach Culture. But now, since the introduction of Chinese labor, the completion of the Pacific railroad, the reduction of the profits of wine making, grain growing, and mining, a new impetus has been given to this beautiful and gener- ally profitable branch of industry, and it is likely soon to become an important, though not a leading interest. For, although the productive capacity is almost unlimited, the market is confined to home consumption and a few points in the interior along the line of the railroad. And while apples, oranges, grapes, and even pears may be shipj^ed to eastern markets, the peach never can, until some new method of preserving its Ireshness has been discovered. This obstacle to its extended cultivation may, to some extent at least, be obviated by canning tJie fruit ^ and, if new markets could be made in South America, China and Japan for this American luxury, the business might become very profitable. Notwithstanding, however, all counteracting influence, the soil and climate are so conducive, that large quantities are produced annually ; and the number of trees now planted is stated to be 800,000, which are distributed among thirteen counties as follows : Sacramento, 74,000 ; Santa Clara, 70,000; El Dorado, 56,000; Sonoma, 52,000; San Joaquin, 45,000 ; Butte, 40,000. The seven counties to wit : Napa, Placer, Toulumne, Colusa, Almador, Yolo, IlSrTEODUCTION. 27 and Yuba, have from twenty to thirty thousand respec- tively. Altliough the chmate of Oregon is not too cold for tlie Peach, it is too huinid, except in the southern part, and in some topographically fortunate localities where it suc- ceeds well. In 1869, a gentleman in the "Walla Walla Valley Avrites, that he raised a thousand bushels of fine peaches off an orchard of five acres planted six years before. If this is reliable, and is to be taken as an average yield, it surjjass- es even the best orchards of the East. But we incline to the opinion that the circumstances were unusually happy, or that the statement is slightly exaggerated, Tins brief, and somewhat hasty, view of the Peach Cul- ture, is still sufficient to show the wonderful caj^acity of our country for its production in rare excellence, and with the least possible labor or care. While the people of less favored regions have to prepare, if not make, a soil, pro- vide a shelter, and labor, and watch, and wait for a scanty crop of small and inferior fruit, the citizens of our most highly favored land have millions upon millions of acres of the most suitable soil, where the trees grow luxuriantly and bear bountifully, in a few years, almost without care, and without any shelter, except the starry canopy of a benig- nant sky which our Heavenly Father's love has spread over us all. What a wonderful land we have ! Mountains and val- leys, and i^lains; rivers, and lakes, and seas; wheat, and figs, and oranges, and pomegranates ; apples, and pears, and peaches ; corn, and oats ; milk, and oil, and wine ; flax and wool, and silk ; coal, and iron, and copper ; and silver, and gold, and precious stones ! And free to enjoy them all ! None to molest or make us afraid ! What a spectacle of munificence and power ! What a wonderful display of divine goodness ! Can we do aught else than exclaim with the Royal Psalmist of Israel, " Oh, that men would praise 28 PEACH CTJLTUEE. the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! " Sad thought that, through our ingratitude, folly, and sin we may turn this cup of blessing and happiness into one of misfortune and misery ! But let us hope and pray for the continued favor of Him who " doeth all things well ; " and let each strive individually to discharge his own appropriate duty ; and so live that he may join with a go : 1 conscience in this beautiful and solemn invocation : " O be Thou still oui* guardian God ; Preserve these States from every foe ; From party rage, from scenes of blood, From siu, and ever}- cause of woe. Here miiy the great Redeemer reign, Display his grace and saving power; Here liberty and truth maintain. Till empires fall to rise no more," SITE OF NURSERY. 29 CHAPTER I. SITE OF NURSERY. As much of tlie success of the nursery will depend upon the ground, the greatest care should be exercised in its selection. In most of the Soutliern States, and especial- ly on the Delaware Peninsula, south of the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, no difficulty will be met in obtaining a suitable site, as nearly every farm has a field or more in which a very eligible one may bo found. But further north and west good sites are not so common. Still, it is believed there are but few sections, or even localities, in which, by a little care, good ones may not be had. The land should be dry. All that holds water should be re- jected, because, first, it will retard planting and cultiva- tion, and render the latter much more difficult and ex- pensive. Secondly, the seed will be longer in coming up, and, if the season should be late and cold, much of it may rot. It should not only be dry, but it should be light, and warm. A sandy soil is iu every way to bo preferred. The peach seems to delight iu it. It accelerates maturity and fructification. Clay soil is not suitable. It is too stiff; it is hard to till ; it is too retentive of moisture; it bakes, and becomes lumpy, and it should be rejected Avithout hesitation, unless no other can be had. Gravelly soil is better, and, if naturally good, or artificially en- riched, will answer. The rich alluvials of our river bot- toms do very well ; and Avhen a rapid and vigorous growth, and large, showy trees are desired, are excellent ; but we do not commend them, especially if the trees are not to be set in an orchard where the land is equally good ; for if the growth has been too much stimulated, and the trees become too large, it will be more of an injury than bene- 30 PEACH CULTURE. fit. The soil in the orchard should rather be superior than inferior to that of the nursery, and then the growth will receive no check in transplanting. Planters will promote their own interests by noting this, and acting upon it. A good roadster is not obtained by stuffing the colt and stai'ving the horse. For the sake of straight rows and iiniformity of trees, and ease, convenience, and satisfaction of cultivation, the ground should be level. It should also be free from roots, stones^ and other extraneous matter. Every inch of ground is wanted, and the cultivator can ill afford to have any jiart of his nursery taken up with roots or stones. Besides, they greatly interfere with the tillage, and often ruin a tree by accidentally striking off the bud. Corn stubble, or other land cultivated the preceding season, in hill or drill crop, is best ; for, if the cultivation has been good, it will be clean and mellow, the very thing for the ground-work of a good nursery. If the object be to rear trees for market, a site easy of access, on a public road, and near a depot, should be se- lected. This will prove very convenient and advantage- ous. Out-of-the-way places, and those beyond gates and bars, Avill be expensive. Hands have to be employed, time has to be consumed, delays ensue. All these involve outlay, diminish profits, and injure business. Discard them by seeking a location just at hand. Yoxi may have to pay more rent, but that, compared with the subse- quently increased incidental expenses, is nothing. Our advice is, be just in tbe proper place if you intend to succeed. Such a location, besides its convenience, will be an advertisement — a very striking one, and a very widely disseminated one. If the nursery is a fine one, it will elicit general remark and commendation, which will prove highly advantageous to the proprietor. This is especially true in the neighborhood of towns, where j^eoplc are pass- ing and repassing continually, and where the very sight SEED. 31 of fine trees is an incitement to plant an orchard, as well as a recommendation of the trees themselves. We could give instances of large and profitable sales, referable to location alone. A planter who intends rearing merely for his own use, will not be influenced by these considerations, and will consult his taste or special convenience. In selecting a site for a nursery then, let it be a dry, light sandy soil, free fi'om stones, and easy of access. CHAPTER IL SEED. The seed should be selected with great care. A mis- take here is radical, and cannot be corrected afterwards, as some others can. It is even more important to have good peach seed than good seed wheat or corn ; for, in the case of j^eaches, the orchard is to last for ten, fifteen, or even twenty years, while in that of wheat or corn it is only for a single season. In the latter, one crop only is injured ; in the former, ten, or a score. The seed should be healthy. The least appearance of disease in the trees should decide every prudent man to reject the seed of those trees when selecting for himself, and every honest one when selecting to sell. For if diseased seed be used, the young tree will not only be feeble and sickly, but the disease will most probably be disseminated in all direc- tions, and communicated toother trees, and thus incalcula- ble injury be done. Indeed, the man who sells promiscu- lously a drove of cattle infected with rinderpest, does not do half so much injury as the one who disseminates diseased peach trees. 32 PEACH CULTURE. No seed, therefore, should be taken from an orchard that is diseased ; but especially none from any orchard in- fected in the least with the yellows, as this is, perhaps, the most contagious and unmanageable of all diseases inci- dent to peach culture. It should also be rij^e fruit / for, while the seed of an immature peach may not actually communicate disease to the young tree, yet it will most likely produce a Jeeble stock, predisposed to disease and short life. The seed should be of natural fruit. It is more vigor- ous, more hardy, more certain to germinate, and the trees live longer. This should never be overlooked by any planter who wishes the full reward of his labor. The seed of budded fruit will grow, it is true, but it is not so certain to do so. The kernels arc often diseased or de- fective ; hardly ever so firm, round, and nutty as the natural ones. The first efibrt of nature seems to be the reproduction and perpetuation of the tree in health and vigor; that of art the production of fruit of the richest flavor and most delicate beauty. Both, in perfection, seem unattainable in one tree. If we want highly vigor- ous and long-lived trees, we must never bud or graft ; but if we wish rich, luscious fruit, we must do botli. But, as a healthy, vigorous tree is essential to the production of the finest fruit, we must strive for this also. Happily, the art of budding enables us to approximate botli ; but they can only be pi'oduced by a constant repetition of innocu- lation on natural stocks. Hence, we must plant natural seed in order to obtain a healthy, vigorous tree, and bud on it an ingrafted cion, that Ave may have large, rich, and beautiful fruit. And wc may just as well expect fine fruit from repeatedly planting natural seed, as fine trees from planting budded seed. An honest dealer will not, of course, sell the seed of budded fruit for natural ; but a little observation and experience will enable any one to judge for himself and avoid imposition. SEED. 33 In buying seed, if the purchaser is inexperienced, he should call in the aid of some friend who has experience and knowledge in the matter. If he has to rely upon himself, a hint or two may be of advantage to him. Natural seed, then, is smaller than that of budded fruit. This is the rule. There may be some varieties which form exceptions, but they are not numerous. Hale's Early is one. The natural seed is also of /tf^Ver color. The natural may be called light-broxfri^ or hazel, the budded, dark- hro}Dn, or maroon. This difference is not always apparent to the unpracticed eye, but a dealer or nurseryman Avill detect it in an instant ; and any one will soon be able to do so by com23aring a few samples of each. The shell is also closer grained., and the hoicls or cavities smaller in the natural than in the budded. They are also cleaner. In the budded fruit there often adheres a small quantity of the luscious juice or pulp to the pits ; this cleaves to the walls of the cavities, and is plainly discernable by close inspection. It also tends to give a darker shade to the color. The natural seed is also distinguished by the fineness of the union of the two halves or valves of the stone. It is very close and tenacious, while in the budded it is often imperfect and slight. In the former, a separa- tion of the two valves, without fracture, is almost im- practicable, while in the latter it is often quite easy. In one case a hammer, in the other a knife, will be required. There is also nearly as much difference in the kernels. Those of the natural seed are quite hard, close, and nutty, as compact as a filbert, while the others ai-e often defect- ive in form, and the two complementary halves of which they are formed frequently separate in handling, or may be separated by slight effort. Attention to these tests will enable any one to distinguish the seed of natural, from that of budded fruit. In former times, when nearly all our peaches were nat- 2* 34 PEACH CULTUEE. ural fruit, there Avas no difficulty in obtaining seed ; but in late years nearly all our old orchards of natural fruit have been abandoned and allowed to go into decay. Besides this, the cultivation of the peach has been so much extended, and the demand for seed so much in- creased, that it has become comparatively scarce. And while it \ised to be procured at almost a nominal price, ^ say twenty-five cents a biashcl, it now commands as much as wheat, and sometimes more. We are not aware of any place where orchards of natural fruit are maintained for the specific purpose of producing seed. That has not yet become necessary. In several of the States, especially in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, there are still remnants of old orchards, isolated rows, or scattering trees of natural fruit, which are toler- ated as relics of the past, or cherished as reminiscences of youthful 2>leasures and enjoyments, recalling the mem- ories of a revered ancestry. From these old trees, broken down and renewed, perhaps a dozen times, comes our good seed, which is to furnish excellent stocks for our young, broad, and numerous orchards of later days. Besides these, in many nurseries a natural tree will spring up, escape detection, be shipped, and planted with the budded ones, and never discovered until in bearing ; then pity lets it stand ; and it, too, furnishes more good seed. This seed is saved by the children or tenants of the plant- ers, taken to the nearest store, and thus finds its way to market. Honest men, whether planters or merchants," deal in no other ; but the love of gain is so strong in many as to induce them toofier and buy the seed of the budded fruit, and large quantities of it get into market, Avhere it is re-purchased by ignorant or reckless nurserymen and jjlant- ed ; and thus thousands of inferior or diseased trees are scattered over the countiy, to bring loss and disappoint- ment, where fortune and satisfaction would otherwise have attended. Hence, the great importance of nurserymen SEED. 35 selecting good seed ; but especially of planters either rais- ing their own trees, or buying only from those they know to be careful, intelligent, and honest. There are such, Ave know, and we are also sorry to know that there are some who are not such. Each class pursues its own course in the jjrocurement of the seed. The one gives an order for so many bushels, for "which a certain price will be paid ; the order is filled with such seed as can be jirocurcd at the price, leaving a margin for profit to the factor. The other employs local agents in sections in wliich good seed is known to abound, Avith instructions to purchase nothing but pure seed. When the time arrives for collecting it, the foreman, or some other reliable practical man, is sent to inspect it, and all that is not first-rate is rejected. In this way the nurseryman's reputation is established, and his business becomes large, profitable, and permanent. The greater part of seed for the Eastern markets is ob- tained in the eastern shore counties of Maryland and Tirginia, especially in the latter, where the old natural orchards have not yet given jilace to those of budded fruit. The price of good seed varies from fifty cents to five dollars per bushel, according to locality and the abund- ance of the peach crop. About two dollars is the ordi- nary price. It requires from five to twelve busliels of seed to the acre, according as the nurseryman plants it, closely or widely. In the North they usually plant from seven to ten inches apai-t, while on the Peninsula only two and a half and three. In the latter they expect to, and do, rear from ten to twelve thousand first-class trees to the acre. 36 PEACH CULTUBE. CHAPTER III. SEED-BED. The proper time to prepare the seed-bed is just before freezing sets in in the fall. Some convenient spot in the garden or field is selected. It should be free from roots or stones, and is the better for having been cultivated in corn or vegetables the season before. It should be dry- land, that is, free from standing water during the winter in which the seed is to remain in the ground. When a suitable spot has been selected, the next thing is to mark it off. It may be of any size desired. If the nursery is to be a large one, the more, of course, will be required. When this is done, the seed is thickly spread over the ground, about three inches deep. It is then " spaded in." This is done by spading the ground cover- ed by the seed in the same manner as is usual in garden culture, and is usually about six inches deep. By this method the seed is completely mixed with, and covei'cd up in the soil. Some is carried nearly or quite to the bottom of the stii'red ground, and the rest is pretty well distributed between that and the surface. Here it lies freezing and thawing all winter, and by spring the shells are so far loosened as to be readily separated by a slight effort, or even in handling. The kernels will be found to be swollen, and many of them sprouted. They are now ready to be planted in the nursery. Another method is to spread the seed on the surface of the ground, cover it over with sawdust or sj^ent tan bark, from three to five inches, and leave it to the weather, as before. This method is not so common as the first, but we believe it equally good, and not quite so laborious. Others, again, spread the bed over with the seed, then cover it about an inch deep with mold, then another layer PREPAKATION OF GEOUND FOR NURSERY. 37 of seed, and so on, in alternate layers, until all is bedded ; and this they claim is the best method of all. Some make no seed-bed at all, but plant the seed at first in the nurs- ery. This method we shall speak of again when we come to treat of the nursery. CHAPTER ly. PREPARATION OF GROUND FOR NURSERY. This is simple, but it should be done with skill and care. The form should be a square or a parallelogram, and it is immaterial which. These forms are preferable, because the nurseryman wishes to avoid point rows, and they are the only ones that enable him to do so. The advantage of even rows is found in fewer turns in preparing and cul- tivating the ground, less injury to the trees, and a conse- quent saving of both time and money. To secure this, the plat should be squared or staked off with the parallel lines running east and west at right angles Avith those running north and south. In this way there will be no lost ground nor point rows. The next thing is to plow the ground. This should be done in the spring, as soon as it is in good order — about the same time as for corn. Plowing should be thorough, and about the ordinary depth. From six to eight inches will do very well. The furrows should not be too wide ; they should be rather within than beyond the average. They should be of uniform width and depth. By observing these rules, complete pulverization and a very smooth surface will be attained. The next thing is the harrowing. The ordinary drag is the proper implement. If the ground is of the char- PEACH CULTUEE. acter we have been describing as suitable, once or twice over will be sufficient. If stiff or cloddy, more will be required. In any case, all the lumps should be completely broken, and if any chips, roots, or stones, show themselves on the surface, they should be gathered up and carried off. The grovmd should now be rolled with a good, heavy wooden or metal roller. \h' a Fig. 1. — DIAGRAM OF NURSEUT. This will thoroughly crush any remaining lumps that may have escaped both plow and harrow. It will also pack the ground, and give a very fine smootii surface. These preliminaries hav- ing been gone through, the only remaining preparation necessary is " signing " or marking out the ground. As the rows are to be plant- ed in drills, this, of course, is only done one way. From north to south is preferable, as the sun, light and heat, reaches more of the surface of the young trees than if the rows run in any other direction. The rows may be run with a light j)lo\v, as for corn, but this is not the best _^ way, and when the nursery is large, the following method will be found both economical and good. If the nursery is fenced off by itself, run a furrow parallel with the northern fence, and at the distance of four or five feet from it ; a similar one at the southern end, as shown at figure 1, where a, a, are the head rows, running east and west, and h, 5, the nursery rows, running north and south. The rows of trees are Fiir. 3.— MARKER. PREPARATION OF GROUND FOR NURSERY. 39 to end at these furrows. The head rows aiford space for turning the liorse in cultivating the nursery. They may be each occupied with a row of potatoes, if it is desired to till every inch of ground. The end of the tree rows should not extend close to the fence, as the young trees will certainly be injured by turning in the cultivation, and the ground will not be kept so clean. When this is done, run the row as straight as practicable north and south, and at the distance of three and a half to four feet apart. The distance varies according as the character of the soil and climate affect the growth of the trees. In a rich southern soil, the greater distance will be none too much; while in the North, especially if the soil is thin, the less will be quite sufficient. The depth of the furrow should not be less than an inch and a half, nor more than two and a half inches. Instead of the plow, a peculiar implement, a sort of sledge, is sometim'es used, and with advantage. It is made by taking two pieces of oak plank, each four or live feet long, twelve inches wide, and two thick. Tlie front ends are rounded off like a runner for a water-sled. The runners are then connected, sled-like, by two cross-bars, mortised and fastened into them, as in fig. 2. The distance apart is the distance desired for the rows, as above describ- ed. With this implement two rows instead of one can be made at the same time. Besides this, the depth of the rows as well as the distance apart will be more uniform. Altogether, it is much preferable, while the cost of mak- ing one is insignificant. Any intelligent farm hand can construct one. It may also be enlarged so as to mark three, or even more, rows, by simply adding a runner for every additional row desired, and one, two, or three horses may be used to drag it. 40 PEACH CULTURE. CHAPTER V. PLANTING THE SEED. The nursery ground having- been prepared as described in the preceding cliapter, the seed-hed is now overhauled. If the seed was buried in sawdust on the surface of the ground, or layered, all that is now necessary, is to shovel up the seed and dust into coarse wire sieves, and sift out the latter. By this process a complete separation will take place, and the seed will remain in the sieves quite clean and nice. If it was spaded in, the whole mass of the bed will have to be spaded up, and if it is loose and dry, it can be sifted, as in the former case ; but if wet or lumpy, it may be necessary to pick out the seed by hand. The seed is now carefully examined. The kernels have swollen so much as to have burst many of the shells, and loosened othex's. In some cases the shells have already fallen oft* or will do so in handling. All these are ready to plant. Some cultivators will take off all the shells and place the kernels in the baskets to be carried to the nursery ; but this is not necessary, as they are no ob- struction to the growth of the germ. It has one advant- age, however ; it enables the cultivator to see exactly whether or not the seed is perfect. It also enables him to discover whether or not the shell has been sufficiently affected by the frosts of winter to prepare the seed for , planting without further preparation. On examining a seed-bed, some of the seed will be found to be little af- fected by the previous freezing. Tiiese should be separated from the others, and cracked open with a hammer. This is done by taking the seed between the thumb and fore- finger of the left hand, placing it edgewise on a solid block, and giving it a sharp, but moderate stroke with a light hammer. This will separate the two valves, and pla:s'ting the seed. 41 leave the kei*nel uninjured. If this breaking process does not take place, that seed is not fit to plant the first season. When the seed has been thus taken up, sifted, shelled, and deposited in baskets, it is ready to be can-ied to the nursery to be planted. If the sun is warm, or the wind dry, or both, the baskets are covered with damp cloths or matting, in order to keep the seed from being injured by the exposure. It is always advisable to keep the seed in the baskets in about the same temperature and hu- midity it was before, as all sudden changes have a tend- ency to injure or destroy it. It is planted, in the rows already marked out, at about two inches and a half apart. It may be closer or more distant. If large trees are desired, a greater distance will be advisable ; but if number and not size is the object sought, two inches will do, especially if stimulating fertil- izers are used. This close planting, however, we do not recommend. Small lads are usually employed to drop the seed, and when clever ones can be obtained, they are j^referable to men, for the reason that they Avill do as much work for half the money. Besides, the stooping posture they have to assume does not tire them so much as it does men. A careful man, however, should always be along to cover up the seed, and to exercise general control. The seed is usually covered with a rake, by drawing the loose mold over it, about two inches deep. This should be pressed down closely, so as to come in close contact with the seed, and afford it aliment from the start. The cov- erer may do it by simply walking up the row as he pro- ceeds with his task, or it may be slapjied down with a spade or shovel, or a light roller may be used. And here the w^ork of planting the nursery is ended. But should the ground be poor, or the season cold and backward, a slight dressing of some active fertilizer should be used. Ashes, guano, or any of the popular superphosphates will 42 PEACH CULTURE. do very well. If guano is used, care should be taken to reduce it to the proper strength, by mixing witli it two or three times its bulk of soil. This is the approved method of planting a nursery, and for nurserymen, is, perhaps, the best of all others, as it enables tliem to use every inch of ground, and examine every seed. But to the planter Avho only aims to rear a few thousand trees for his own use, we commend the following. Prepare the ground in all respects as directed in the last chapter, but in the fall instead of the spring. Then plant your seed — not in the seed-bed, but in the nursery rows where you wish them to grow. The manner of dropping and covering is the same in both cases. The advantages of this method are the following : It is more svnple, there is no seed-bed, no sawdust or spading in ; no cracking of seed in the spring, no covering with damp cloths. It is cheaper. The labor of the seed-bed, crack- ing, and transporting the seed to the field or nursery is all saved. It is usually more convenient^ because it is done in the full, and after other farm work, when the ground is in better order, and labor cheaper and more easily had. And lastly, it insures a more complete separa- tion of the Jcernels from the shells, as the depth below the surface is imiform, and the freezing process equal. To planters and small nurserymen, we recommend the last method whenever it is convenient. When not so, they can make their seed-bed in the ordinary way. CHAPTER VI. NURSERY CULTIVATION. The cultivation of the nursery is botb easy and simple, and, if our directions for selecting and prej^aring the ground have been followed, will be pleasant and gratify- JSrUESEKY CULTIVATION. 43 ing. It is almost identical with that of corn ; and were the latter cultivated in drills, would be precisely the same. If everything has been well done, and the season favor- able, in about two weeks after planting — we now speak of spring planting — the yoimg trees or sj^routs will be thickly set from one end of the row to the other. They may be three inches high if the ground is very warm and kind, and the sun and rain conducive ; or less, under less favorable circumstances. A sharp, light cultivator should now be run between the Jfirst and third rows, then be- tween the second and fourth, but never between adjacent rows on tlie same round; because by doing so you have to make short turns, whicli impose more labor on the plow- men, and often injures the trees in the end of the rows by the treading of the horse, or bruising with the culti- vator. Sometimes a small harrow will be preferable to the cultivator, especially if there are no weeds, and the object is simply to stir the ground. A week later this should be repeated ; and so continuously, through the early half of the season ; afterwards, the dressings may be less frequent, or suspended altogether, according as the ground is clean and mellow, and. the growth rapid, or otherwise. Should weeds or grass make their appearance amongst the trees in the row, they must be promj^tly hoed or pulled up, root and branch ; they have no business there, and deserve no mercy. Should the season be dry, or the ground stiiF, it may be necessary to use a small plow occasionally. Immediately after, the harrow should follow, so that the clods may be broken up and pvilverized. If the ground has been Avell prepared, the subsequent culture good, and the season favorable, the growth of the young trees will be very rapid, and highly gratifying ; and by the last of August tliey will have attained a hight of four, five, or even six feet, and be quite strong and 44 PEACH CULTURE. stocky. Should they flag, however, during the season, they may be stimuh^ted and advanced by the a^^plication of artificial manures, especially by liquid ones. The last should be applied with a watering-can, between sundown and dark, directly at the roots of the trees. A very good metliod to apply guano or superphosphate, is to run a small furrow as near the rows on each side as can be done without injury to the roots, throwing it from the trees. Then sow the manure in the furrow at the rate of six hundred pounds of guano, and a thousand of superphos- phate, to the acre. Now reverse the order, and run a furrow on the outside of the first, throwing it to the rows. In this way the manure will be thoroughly distributed, dejiosited exactly where wanted, and well covered u]d. The subsequent rapid growth of the trees should soon give evidence of its powerful effect. When the trees have attained such a growth as to shade the ground betAveen the rows sufiiciently to kee}) it moist, all cultivation should cease. Should weeds appear in the rows after this, they must be pulled up ; but this Avill seldom occur unless foul manure has been used. It sometimes happens that, through the inexperience or cai'clessness of the seed planters, the young trees come up too thick ; when this occurs, the superfluous ones should be pulled up. CHAPTER VII. BUDS. These should also be selected with great care. Hund- reds of planters have been sorely disappointed when their trees came into bearing to see them turn out a different variety from what they had bought them for. Worse still, sometimes they buy and pay for the choicest bud- BUDS. 45 ded fruit, but when the trees begin to bear, they produce, instead, small, knotty, natural peaches. This, in most cases, occixrs through carelessness. As the natural fruit is nearly Avorthless, and wholly unmarketable, the loss to the planter is very great; and, as several years must elapse before a change can be eiFected, it is almost irrej^ar- able. The strictest care should, therefore, be exercised in selecting buds. They must he true to hind ; that is, they must certainhj be of the variety intended. A mistake in this regard would destroy the reputation of a nursery- man, and would be a sore disappointment to the planter. The best way to insure buds of the kind wanted, is, to get them out of the nursery of some well-known nurseryman, whoso character, as such, is beyond question for skill, care, and honesty, and who has been long in the business. This last will have given him that extraordinary caution which is only the result of experience and previous disappoint- ment. Even with all this circumspection, it is possible to fail ; but failure will be rare. These disappointments oc- cur from various causes. Marks may be lost or mis- placed in the rows, or the labels, when the trees are sent away from the nursery. A mistake once made is very likely to be multiplied and perpetuated, because subse- quent budders rely upon what they or their neighbors have purchased as a particular A'ariety, and they cannot do otherwise unless they can wait until the trees have borne, and thus test the matter for themselves. If access cannot be had to a nursery, the next best resource is a young orchard of the first or second year's growth. The buds themselves must be of the current season. Some prefer to take buds from hearing orchards, as they think it insures the kind. Where the quantity of buds wanted is small, and the trees are marked and noted while in fruit, this may do very well. But large nursery- men will seldom find enough such buds convenient ; they will be difficult and tedious to procure ; as a rule, not so 46 PEACH CULTUKE. fresh and thrifty; many of them will hefna'f, instead of leaf, buds ; and, after all, the 7'isk of obtaining tl>e true variety will be found nearly, if not altogether, as great. For ourselves, in view of all the circumstances, we prefer buds taken from a thrifty, vigorous, young nursery. The buds must be healthy. It is unnecessary to dwell on this point. No prudent or honest man, with the least regard for his own interest or char- acter, or his neighbors' rights, would knowingly bud from a diseased stock. A trader in plague-in- fested clothes or cattle is not so culpable or detestable. They must be leaf^ not fruity buds. All ex- perienced cultivators know that there are two kinds of buds formed on the twigs, and that one of these produces leaves and the other fruit the next season. Now, what the budder wants is leaves and wood, not blossoms and fruit, and he must, therefore, be careful to get the right kind. The difference is easily observed ; but an inexperienced man should not trust himself, but rather employ an experienced one to make the selections for him. If he is com- pelled to do it himself, he must remember that fruit buds are rounder, softer, and more open than ^'^■^•tbe leaf buds. The difference between the two kinds of buds is shown in fig. 3. The small pointed buds are leaf buds, the rounder ones blossom buds, which fre- quently occur in pairs, with a leaf-bud between them. TWIGS. 47 TWIGS. When the nursery or orchard is selected, the buds are taken off in this way : With a sharp knife cut off the strongest twigs of the present season's growtli, about two inches from tlie main stem, or, if you prefer it, close to the stem. Throvf them together in little bundles, and Avhen you have as many as you expect to use in the suc- ceeding half day, stop, as under ordinary circumstances, no more than can be used in half a day should be taken off. They arc injured by being kept long. Now, gather up your bundles, throAV them in a heap, and saturate them with cold water. This will keep them from shrinking, and preserve them fresh and green. But do not stop here. Take yonr knife, which should be as sharp as a razor, and cut away every leaf at the distance of about half an inch from the twig. Tliis stops the flow of the sap to the leaf, and keeps it in the bud, thus preserving its freshness for a longer time. The buds at the lower end of the twig are generally smaller, and not so well formed as those further up. For this reason it is advisa- ble to reject two or three inches of the lower end ; and if you have not already done it by cutting the twig from the main stock at that distance, do it now by cutting the leaves off smooth instead of leaving a half-inch stem, as above mentioned. On the other hand, the top buds sometimes swell too much, and for this reason the two or three nearest the top should be cut away in the same manner as those at the bottom. In this way the best buds only will be retained, and the success of the bud- ding greatly promoted. When the buds, or rather the twigs, are thus prepared, they should be placed, buts down, in a vessel, usually a bucket of water, and cover- ed with a damp cloth. They now go into the hands of the budder for immediate use. 48 PEACH CULTURE. BUDS EXPRESSED. It sometimes hajipens that nurserymen, but more fre- quently amateurs, wish to send buds of some rare variety by mail or express, and, by proper care in packing, they may be safely sent liundreds of miles in this way. When this is desired, the buds shou.ld, in the first place, be taken off and prej^ared in the manner above described. If the distance is not more than two hundred miles, and on a railroad, a wrapping of moist moss, with an outer coat of thick cloth, will be quite sufficient. But if the distance be great, the best way is to procure a hollow tin cylinder, air-tight, and open at one end, and place the buds in this, filling the vessel about half full of buds, then fill the interstices with fine, clean sawdust, saturated with water. ISTow put on the cap, and either solder or seal it on, so that it will be air-tight. In this way buds may be transported five hundred miles or more. The vessel should never be filled full, as the buds swell in the box, and cannot be taken out without injury. CHAPTER VIII. BUDDING. The Budding is done in August and September. The length of the season varies, being shorter in a northern than in a southern latitude. On the Delaware Peninsula it is about six weeks from and after the first of August. But sometimes it commences sooner, and is prolonged even into October. As a rule, budding may begin as soon as the buds are large enough to cut from the twig, and continue as long as the sap flows freely. Young, BUDDING. 49 vigorous trees keep green a long time, and as long as the leaves are green and the sap flowing, may be budded. But it is not safe to put it off to the last of the season, as a sudden frost or dry cold spell may kill the leaves or chill the sap, and thxis prevent the bud from forming a complete union with the stem in the fall, and if not then formed, it never will be afterwards. It is not best to commence too early, eitlier, for if tlie season is warm and wet, or much protracted, there is danger that the young buds will start to grow, and either burst off or spend their strength too soon. Bucls that start in the fall are not likely to do so well. BUDDERS. Budding is a trade ; and in no department of agricul- ture is skilled labor more essential than in this. The nurseryman cannot be too careful in the selection of his budders. Experimenters, novices, bunglers, are all to be rejected without hesitation. They are dear at any price. Too dear if they would work for nothing and board them- selves. The reason is obvious. If the buds do not talce^ you lose not only the budders' wages, but you lose the trees themselves. They can only be successfully budded the first year of their growth, and if you fail then, you fail altogether. Hence the importance of securing skilled labor in this department — expert budders, who will do their work well. In almost every community there are pretenders, who, on all occasions, are ready to offer their services to do anything and everything that may be re- quired. They make loud professions of their knowledge and ability to give satisfaction. In nine cases out of ten they are quacks, without knowledge, experience, or skill, and no man who understands his business will employ or countenance them. The reason that good ones are so rare is, that, except in a few localities, peach 3 50 PEACH CULTUEE. growing is a recent enterprise, and there has not been time to raise up and instruct men for this special depart- ment. It is believed that in New Jersey alone, where peaches have long been a staple, can intelligent and skill- ful budders be found in sufficient nuaibers to bud large nurseries in proper season. We know that in Delaware, where peach growing has been prosecuted with great energy and success for the last ten or twelve years, bud- ders are still imported from New Jersey, and their skill and speed are of the first order. They are usually paid by the thousand, and at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents or tliree dollars, and board. This does not include auxiliary help, which is an addi- tional charge of about equal amount. TIES. These are made of common bass-wood matting, such as usually comes around furniture and other articles, and the planter or nurseryman can often procure all he wants, second-hand, at the stores for a ti-ifle, and this does very well. If not, he can get it new at any of the seed or agri- cultural stores in the cities or large towns for a small sum. When received, it should be cut into strands about a foot long, and ripped into pieces about half an inch wide. It should be then tied, with a few pieces of the same, into hanks or buTidles of one, two, three, four, or five hundred strands, as the tyer may desire. BUDS. The buds, as before stated, are procured from budded nurseries or young orchards. In the former, the young trees are always full of thrifty, vigorous laterals, and from these the buds are taken. The best size for these twigs is the thickness of a full-sized goose-quill. BUDDING. 51 Each budder is furnished with two assistants. Intelli- gent lads, of ten or twelve years, make very good assist- ants after a little instruction and experience. One is called a stripper, the other a tyer. The stripper goes be- fore the budder, and strips or rubs off all the leaves and small shoots of tlie trees for a distance of six inches above the ground. Sometimes, especially late in the season, tlie shoots have to be cut off with a sharp knife. This clears the way for the budder, and enables him to proceed with ease and dispatch. The budding now com- mences thus : The budder is provided with a very sharp instrument, called a hudding-knife (tig. 4), made espe- ^ — ^ s^ ■ p rr.^ jiC!^^:^°^~^^ ^^ _ cially for the pur- v J X""^' ' ~ ~/ ~-D jjose ; with this he " Fig. 4— BUDDING-KNIFE. makcs a vertical * incision in the young tree, about an inch and a half long, and a transverse one at right angles with it. It is made with gi-eat rapidity, and in this manner : The knife is inserted at the lower end of the slit, drawn up the de- sired length, then, with a slight twist of the hand, right and left, the transverse cut is made, and the edges of the bark at the same time loos- ened so as to readily admit the bud, as in fig. 5. These incisions are clear through the bark, and slightly into the wood. The bud (fig. 6) is now cut from the cion and immediately inserted, as shown in fig. 7. The budder has now done his part, and proceeds to an- other, and so on, with great rapidity. Some ex- pert budders will bud two thousand five hundred trees in a day ; fifteen hundred, for a skillful hand, is not re- Fi?. 5.- -INCISION. Fig-. 6.— BUD. ■. 7. — BUD INSERTED. 52 PEACH CULTUEE. garded as a great day's work ; and some have even ex- ceeded three thousand, so expert do tliey become by practice. Nor is it poorly done ; on the contrary, we have always found the speediest hands the most successful in obtaining adhesion and growth. The tyer now follows with liis hank of ties, and, taking one between his thumb and fingers, he places the center of it firmly just below the eye of the bud, passes the ends rapidly round the stock in op- posite directions, brings them back above the eye of the bud, and ties them. Figure 8 shows the bud as tied in this manner. Another method is for the tyer to place himself on the opposite side of the bud, but place the tie as before, pass it clear round, and back to the side opposite the bud, and tie it there, as in fig. 9. By this method the tie makes a half circle more than by the former, and the knot, instead of be- ing over the bud, is opposite to it. Some prefer this, as they insist that it holds the bud more firmly, and that when the ties have to be cut, there will be less risk to the bud. But if the tie be good, and the knot skill- fully made, the bud will be well held in position by the first method. Indeed, we are not sure but that it will be quite as firmly held as by the second, inasmuch as the knot will be over the bud, and thus bear stronger upon it, afibrding greater protec- tion and support ; and, as for the cutting, this can and should be done at the op- posite side from the bud, in either case. Besides, when the tyer is on the same side as the bud, he can see exactly where to place the tie, which he cannot always do in the other method. The budding is now complete. BUDDING. 53 SLIPPING AND QUILLING. Slipping the bud or barJc is a very common expression among budders. It occurs in the act of taking the bud from the stem. In cutting the bud from tlie stem a small piece of the wood is usually removed with it. But when the bark is flowing freely, bvidders only cut through the bark, and then, with their thumb and finger, peel or slip the bud, without any wood, from the stem, and this is called slipping the hud. It is speedier than the other method, and quite as good, as there is no need whatever of any wood with the bud. Quilling, on the other hand, occiirs when the flow of sap is deficient, and the bark begins to tighten on the stock that is budded. The budder then j^rovides himself with a goose-quill, cuts away about half the barrel as for a pen, but, instead of p)ointing the side he retains, only rounds it off in the form of a semicircle. This he inserts in the bark of the stock, at the intersection of the verti- cal and transverse incisions, heretofore described, and slips it down between the bark and the wood a sufficient distance to admit the bud. And this is call quilling. In- stead, however, of using a quill, the budding-knife is now provided with a horn or bone point on the opposite end to the knife proper, which answers the purpose of the old quill, and is more convenient. When the rows run north and south, the buds should be i^ut in on the west side ; when east and west, on the north side. This will enable them the better to resist the north and west winds the next season, when the young, tender budded stock, full of sap and foliage, is easily parted from the stem, but capable of much greater re- sistance when the pressure is towards the stem, t\x^n from it. The proper place to insert the bud is about one and a half or two inches above the ground ; the nearer the ground the better. 54 PEACH CULTURE. MARKING. This is an important, although an oft-neglected or ill- performed, part of the work. On it, however, depends the rei^utation of the nurseryman as well as the success and satisfaction of the planter. Every precaution should be taken to insure complete certainty of the kind in each row. Having had but one kind of buds on hand at a time, and after throwing away whatever of that kind may be left, when all wanted have been budded, the next thing is to properly and permanently distinguish and designate the particular variety in each row. We know of no bet- ter way than this : Procure at the saw-mill or lumber-yard a sufficient quantity of what is commonly called shin- gling lath, — oak is best, but any kind of wood will do. The stakes are to be three feet long, and the lath, for the sake of economy, should be twelve feet long, which is a very common and desirable length. It should be from two and a half to three inches wide, and from three- quarters of an inch to one inch thick, but these dimen- sions are not essential. When the lath has been sawed into pieces three feet long, and pointed at one end so as to be easily driven into the ground, one of the faces of each piece should be either shaved or planed smooth, a distance of one foot from the top, in order that it may be the better marked at tlie jiroper time. The stakes may now be marked altogether, or they may be marked as they are set in the ground. We prefer the former, for the reason that it can be the better done, and may then be done by one man ; and the proprietor himself, or a reliable overseer, should attend to this in person, and not leave it to careless or uninterested persons. It may be well done with red lead, or a heavy black lead pencil, or with jjaint or printers' ink. The aim should be to obtain a clear and permanent mark ; one that can be easily read, and one that will not fade. BUDDnSTG. 55 The mark itself may be of two kinds. The one is by- writing the names of the variety in large, plain letters on the stake, and the otlier is by writing numbers thereon in the same way ; and when this is done, by entering the numbers in a book, with the varieties opposite. By the first method the variety can always be told on the ground by anybody by simple insj^ection ; by the second, no one can tell except he who has the book, nor can he often do it without the book. Some prefer one method, and some another, and for various reasons. We advise a combina- tion of both. First, let the stakes be distinctly marked with the name of the variety, then let the first roAV be marked in a book JVb. 1, with the variety in it, and so on of the rest. In this way, if the stakes should be lost, or removed, the nurseryman would still have the means of telling what variety he had in every row, and would not be entirely dependent on either the stakes or numbers. The first stake should be set at the south end of the west row, where the rows run north and south, and at the west end of the north row, where they run east and west ; and the rows should be numbered from west to east, or from north to south. As soon as the first bud is inserted, the first stake should be set with name or number facing towards the row, and not from it, as is in some places the fashion, and when budding of that variety ends, another stake, with the same variety and number, should be immediately set beyond the last bud, and facing the first stake. And now another stake, with the name or number of the next variety, should be set with its back to the back of the last stake, if the varieties end anywhere except at the end of the row. This method should be repeated with each variety until all are budded, and if this be done, it will be almost impossible to confuse the varieties. A flat stake, without name or number, may be driven between the two 56 PEACH CULTUKE. othei' stakes for greater caution, in case of the fading of the marks or accident to the stakes themselves. Whenever convenient, it is advisable never to bud a row with more than one variety. CHAPTER IX. CULTIVATION OF BUDS. In about two weeks after budding, the buds should be examined. Those that have taken will have a lively green appearance, especially towards the center, while those that have not taken, Avill be shrunken at the edges, and of a brown hue. They will also have shed the leaf-stem, Avliile those that have not taken will still retain it. Ninety per cent should be living, and where the conditions have been favorable, nearly alL "When the time is proj^er, the buds fresh, and the buddcr skillful, there is no necessity for losing a single bud ; and very few, in fact, are lost. If it is discovered, in this examination, tliat some have not taken, and the season is not too far advanced, they may be re-budded. Another object of the examination is, to see if the ties are cvtting the buds. This occurs when the tie has been tightly drawn, the union prompt and complete, and the growth rapid. The tie should now be cut. This is ef- fected by a single stroke of a sharp knife, drawn across the tie on the opposite side to the bud, and at an acute angle with the stem of the young tree. If the nursery- man prefers to loosen the tie, he will draw the loop of the knot when it has been so tied ; if tied in a ha^'d knot, he will have to undo the last draw. This is tedious, and CULTIVATION' OF BUDS. 57 large growers very seldom resort to it ; when it is ex- pected to be used, the knots should all be loop. But the process of budding peaches is so easy when done by skil- ful hands, and in proper season, that a slight band, and that only for a short time, is all that is necessary. We have even known them to take and do well without being tied at all. To neglect this precaution, however, is neither ju- dicious nor safe. But when the work is done late, or any other unfavorable incident intervenes, the tying is highly important, and the manner in which it is done may greatly tend to insure success or promote defeat. It niay be found, on examination, that some of the bands have been burst. This occurs where the band has been weak and the growth rapid. In such cases no further attention is necessary. The buds will take care of themselves. In some cases the bands will be found to have cut into the bark, owing to their strength and tight- ness, and the rapid growth of the bud. Here the bands should be immediately cut. This examination should be repeated ten days or a fort- night later, unless further growth has been checked by early frosts or cold, dry weather, when it will be un- necessary. The treatment should be precisely as before, with this addition ; that where it is apparent the bud has taken well, the band should be cut ; but when this is doubtful, or it is jilain the union is slight, the bands should be left until the sap begins to flow the next spring, as the freezing and thaAving of winter greatly tends to tlirow oif buds that are not fairly joined to the stems, and the band is of great service in maintaining their close union with them. Nothing more is required until the next spring, when all remaining bands should be cut on the first start of the sap. In the spring, and as soon as tlie sap begins to flow freely, the natural stocks must be cut away just above the bud. It must not be done too early, as there is dan- 3* 58 PEACH CULTURE. ger then that the warm sun in the daytime, and the cold frosts at night will so dry and harden the stump, as to obstruct the flow of saj) to the top altogether, and thus kill the bud by drying up tlic bark and cutting off its aliment. This sometimes happens, and is more likely to occur in large, thrifty stocks than small ones. Neither must it be deferred too long ; as, in that case, ^ the sap will be drawn rapidly from the roots by the large surface of the limbs and buds ; a direct current will bo established between the root and the top ; the bud, which is one side of this current, will receive but little, and will be retarded in its after growth, if not dwarfed altogether. Besides, when cut late, numerous suckers will be thrown up from the stem, and sometimes even from the roots. If the cutting is done at the proj^er time, just after the sap begins to flow continuously, the bud will draw nutri- ment immediately from the root, and make very rapid and satisfactory growth. THE CUTTING. Cutting is done in this way. Take a common bill-hooked pruning-knife, as sharp as it can be made. It should cut as smooth as a razor. A dull knife is abominable, but a sharp one the delight of the operator. It should be sharp, because the work can be done faster, better, and with more satisfaction. If it is dull, there is more or less danger of loosening the bark aroiind the edge of the stump, and thus endangering the life or thrift of the bud. The operator, being provided with his sharp knife, be- gins at the south end of the west row, or the west end of the south row, according as they have been j^lanted north and south, or east and west. Placing himself on the same side of the row with the bud, he seizes the first tree, bends it slightly towards him, which facilitates the excision, and inserting the edge of the knife on a level CDLTIVATIOX OF BUDS. 59 with, or slightly below the lower end of the bud, draws it, with a rapid motion towards him, in an upward di- rection, and at an angle of about forty-five or fifty de- grees, leaving from a quarter to a half inch of the stump above the bud. This is a very speedy work, a single good hand being able to dispatch five thousand in a day. As soon as it is clearly ascertained what buds have not taken, the stumps should be immediately taken up Avith the spade. If this is not done, they will send up suckers which will grow rapidly, take the room and aliment that should be reserved solely for the young buds that have taken, and interfere with the cultivation. Besides this, if great care be not exercised in taking up the trees in tlie fall or spring succeeding, they will be mixed in with the stock of budded ones, and thus destroy its purity, and injure both its sale, and the reputation of the vender. RUBBING OFF BUDS. In two or three weeks after the topping takes place, and even sooner, if the growth has been rapid, all the natural buds below the cion must be rubbed oif. This is readily done with the hand, if performed in proper season. The process is repeated a Aveek or two later, as the supera- bundant sap is continually forcing out new ones. The object of rubbing is to destroy the natural, and stimulate the artificial, buds. At first the union is so slight and the flow of sap so abundant, that there is a strong and constant efibrt of nature to furnish new stems to sup- ply the loss of the one cut away ; but as the leaves of the inserted bud begin to develop themselves, and the bud itself to assume the form of the exscinded stem, this effort is directed into the new channel, and the tendency to throw off new shoots is greatly weakened. Two or three rubbings will generally be suflicient, but, from the tardy growth of the artificial bud, or the great strength of the 60 PEACH CULTURE. roots, more may sometimes be necessary. The observant planter Avill be able to decide this without difficulty; and to the practical nurseryman, further directions on this point would be superfluous. Tlie object of leaving a natural bud above the artificial one is, to assist in carry- ing the sap above the latter ; but after the first rubbing this will hardly be needful ; and at the second operation, all natural buds may, as a general rule, be removed. TILLAGE. The ground should be kept free from Aveeds, and loose and friable. This can usually be accomplished by running the cultivator up and down between the rows. The judg- ment of the planter Avill direct him how frequently this should be done. If the ground has been such as we have advised, two or three times during the entire season, may be sufficient ; but one thing we will say, it cannot be done too often if the cultivator looks only to the growth of the trees ; and were we to give one general rule, we should say once a week, throughout the season. MANURE. If the growth of the tree is not satisfactory, it may be promoted greatly by stimulating manures, either liquid or solid. Liquid may be made by dissolving guano or hen manure in an old barrel or hogshead, and applied, by a common watering-pot directly to the neck of the tree. Guano or other concentrated manures can be applied with almost immediate efl:ect by running a furrow on each side with a light ploAV, very near the row, throwing it from the row, then depositing the guano with the hand or hand-drill in the bottom of the furrow. Cover it by running another furrow around the row, throwing the furrow this time towards the row. In this way the young trees will reap nearly the entire benefit of the manure during the single season of their growth in the nursery. CULTIVATION OF BUDS. CI The quantity of guano ivill vary according as the quality of the ground or character of the season varies, or as the desire to have larger or smaller trees varies. Six hundred pounds per acre will be sufficient in almost any instance, and sometimes too much. PRUNING. As the young tree usually forms a single upright, straight, and handsome stem, pruning is not essential. Still it may sometimes be done with advantage. Espe- cially will this be the case where the distance between the trees has been increased by failure of buds or other cause, thus giving them a tendency to throw out lateial branches ; and if not done too early, it will generally be beneficial. The advantage consists in confining the sap within narrower bounds, and thus increasing the size and height of the main stem, and also causing the wood to mature earlier. The last is of considerable im2:»ortance, especially in northern localities, where it is often difiicult to obtain wood that will stand the next winter's freezing. The pruning may be done any time between the middle of July and the middle of September, and Avill vary a little in diflerent latitudes. If done before the middle of July, the succeeding growth will be so great as to par- tially neutralize the efiect ; while, if deferred beyond the middle of September, it will be so little as to be of small advantage. But, as before remarked, much will depend upon the particular latitude, and something will depend upon topographical and other specific causes. In pruning, it is not generally advisable to cut away the limbs more than to the height of two feet frona the ground. If the trees are large, three feet may not be too much ; and if small, one may be enough. From one-third to one-half the length of the tree will usually afford a safe rule ; one- third, if the pruning be done early in the season, and one-half, if late. 62 PEACH CULTURE. CHAPTER X. TAKING UP AND SENDING TO MARKET. Peach trees must be set in the orchard at one year's growth from the bud, that is, the fall or si:)ring after the natural stock has been cut off, as described in the last chapter. The progressive steps are these. Make the seed-bed in the fall, the next spring plant the seed in the nursery, the fall of the same year, bud ; the next spring, top, and the next fall or spring, plant the trees in the orchard. They will then be two-year-old from the seed, and one year from the bixd. With extensiA^e nurserymen the fall and spring, but especially the former, are busy times. Traveling and local agents, as well as many immediate customers, have been sending in, and are still continuing to send in their orders. These have all to be numbered and entered in the nursery order-book, and each compared and verified in oi'der to prevent mistakes. Labels have to be procured and prepared, so that they may be at hand Avhen wanted. Boxes for jiacking, or, if the nurseryman makes his own boxes, the material for them ; boards, lath, or scantling, hoop-iron, nails, chaff, and straw, as well as saws, ham- mers, etc. When these are all provided, and the hands engaged, the nurseryman awaits the proper season to commence work. When it comes it is a busy time, for all orders have to be filled, and all shipments made within a few weeks, and these may be curtailed by the early approach of winter, which suspends all operations. The time to commence taking ixp trees varies as the latitude. In the North it will be much earlier than at the South. At TAKIXG UP ASD SE^fDIXG TO MARKKT. 63 Kochester, New York, tlic first of October will be found about the average, while at Dover, Delaware, it will be four weeks later. Tiie true criterion in any place is when the leaves will rub off the trees hy the hand. But it Avill not always do to wait even so long; for if the season has been wet and warm, the j^oung trees will continue to grow and hold their leaves until the winter sets in. When the season has arrived, a shanty or tent of loose boards is erected on the edge of the nursery. Here are the head-quarters for the time being. Here are deposited the materials, the tools, labels, etc., and from here issue the orders to the workmen, and here the trees are brought to be labeled, packed, and marked. On the morning the work begins, the foremen who have been selected and engaged to do the work, and they always should be and mostly are, expert, careful men, re- pair to the tent for instructions. The proprietor or over- seer now opens his order-book at the first page, and reads, — "Fifteen hundred Hale's Early;" "Five hundred Early York," etc., until he goes through tlie order. While he is reading, the foreman or leader has been taking down the names and numbers on a small memorandum book for the purpose. When the overseer is through reading, the foreman has them all down, and immediately commences repeating the order from the beginning, while the overseer is carefully watching to see that it is exact. Being found so, the foreman proceeds to the nursery, followed by his assistants, where the requisite number of each variety is carefully taken up with the spade, and left lying in their respective rows, if to be bundled and tied by the same hands ; but if other hands follow, then they are tied by the latter in bundles and labeled. If the same men who take up are to bundle, then the trees are all taken up first, and when this is done, bundled in the same way. The label consists of a small piece of light wood, about an 64 PEACH CULTUKE. inch wide, and four inches long, upon which the name of the variety is plainly written in letters, and the number of trees in the bundle in figures, thus, " Hale's Eakly, 25." Until recently all nursery stock was taken up with the spade ; but latterly, an implement, called a " Tree Digging Plow," has been invented, and, among large nurserymen. Fie;. 10. — tree bigging plow. entirely supersedes the old method. It is constructed with two beams, one to run on each side of the row of trees, two sets of handles, and a peculiar share, miich in shape like the letter U. This share is veiy sharp ; the horizontal part runs under, and the vertical ones on each side of the trees, and the roots are thus smoothly cut off, both verti- cally and laterally, while the trees themselves remain standing, and may be taken up by the hand at pleasure. The.plow is propelled by four horses, two on eacli side of the row, harnessed tandem, and guided by two plowmen, one on each side. With this plow and equipment, ten thousand trees may be prepared in a single day. But the saving of labor is not the only advantage. The roots are never broken, and need no pruning. Besides, the neces- sity of heeling-in is obviated, as the trees may be taken out at any time, either the same fall or the next spring, without further expense or trouble. TAKIXG UP AXr> SEXDIXG TO MARKET. 65 • The bundles are usually tied with sti'Ong tu'iuo iu sev- eral places, and the label is secured, to the twine by a small wire, passing througli or around the end thereof, and fastened to the twine by slipping one strand under, and the other above tlie twine, and twisting the ends to- gether. Ordinary iron wire will answer for this purpose ; but copper wire, being more ductile, and less liable to rust, is preferable, and is now mostly used by our large nurserymen. When the bundles have been thus made up, they are brought to tlie shanty to be inspected and verified with the recorded order. Each variety is placed on a pile by itself, and the overseer then reads, as before, " Fifteen hundred Hale's Early, — five hundred Early York," etc. The vaiieties and numbers being found to corresjjond with the order, the bundles are now carefully packed ; and this is done in two ways. If the ti'ees are to be sent a great distance, it is usual and preferable to pack in large boxes. These are made of boards of the cheapest material, and of various widths, in order to facilitate boxing. The length is usually eight or nine feet, the breadth and depth thirtj^-six to forty inches. The thickness of the boards is usually three-quarter inch for sides, and one inch for ends. In order to support and strengthen the boxes still further, it is usual and indeed necessary, to put several bands of hoop-iron clear around them. In this way they will carry safely any distance. When the boxes are ready, the packer jiuts some old straw, hay, or other soft substance, light and capable of retaining moisture, in the bottom of the box. He then lays a bundle of trees in, with the roots towards the end, and another bundle with the roots towards the opposite end, and so on, until the box is full. In this way tlie tops overlap, so that the thickness of the mass is nearly uniform throughout — the length of the box being guaged so as to efiectuate this as nearly as may be. When the box 66 PEACH CULTURE. is full, more straw is stuifed in along tlie sides of the box, and some placed on the toj), then the lid is put on and nailed fast, the hoops also, and the trees are boxed. The name and address of the consignee is then painted or stenciled in large letters on the lid of the box; and, if not to be transported by the ordinary route, tlie special line or way is to be indicated by smaller letters in the border, as " Yia Norfolk," " Citizens' Line," " Steamer Belle Mary," and so on. This latter direction is usually that of the consignee ; as the shipper, unless special orders be given, will ship by the ox'dinary line, and without any special directions Avhatever, thus : Henry TVilmer, Wilmington, N. C. This is sufficient, as the goods will be delivered by one transportation comj)any to another, until they reach their destination. The other method of packing is in bundles. To pack in bundles, you must be pi"ovided with matting, moss, straw and twine. The matting is cut into squares of various sizes to suit the size of the bundles. It is spread on the ground and covered several inches deep witli damp moss, rotten straw or hay. The trees tied in bundles, as before described, are now brought and set uj^right on the moss-covered matting. Four bundles, one hundred trees, are as many as it is advisable to put into one package. When thus set, the corners of the matting are drawn up closely around the trees ; some more moss placed around the roots if needful, and the whole tightly tied with strong twine, passed round and round and knotted, until it is completely secured. The bundle is then further j^rotect- ed by being thatched with long rye-straw, firmly tied with twine. The straw is some times put on before the matting is tied, and the latter drawn up over the lower TAKING UP AND SENDING TO MARKET. 67 end of the straw ; and some times the matting is first fastened as above described, and the straw thatch placed on afterwards. "When the boxes and bundles are thus prepared, they are hauled to the station or landing to be shijDped. Here they are weighed, and the weight marked in pounds. When delivered to the transporters, duplicate bills of lading are made out, signed and delivered to the shipper. When this is received at the shanty or office, the or- der is marked, " filled October 20th, 1869, and goods ship- ped by P. W. & B. R R." The trees are then charged in the journal, a bill made out unless already paid for, and it, together with one of the bills of lading, mailed to the consignee, and the transaction is complete, so far as the nursery is concerned. If they are not paid, lawyers suits, commissions, and reductions of profits will folloAv ; but we do not propose to speak of this rather piquant and practical feature of the business. The subsequent work is but a repetition or continuation of what we have described ; and it is unnecerssary to pur- sue it further. It seldom happens that, all the stock is got off" in the Fall. The trees that remain, are either left in the rows as they grow, or taken up marked, and heeled-m. The heeling-in is done, by digging a trench, on some suit- able, dry spot, free from roots and stones, about three feet wide, two deej^, and as long as may be necessary to con- tain the trees. The trench should, if convenient, run north-east and south-west. The dirt should be thrown on the north-west side. The trees should then be placed in the trench, in a leaning posture with the tops towards the south-east. The dirt should now be shovelled in and closely packed, both to keep the roots in a natural state, and also to leave no lurking place for mice or moles. When the trench is full, the residue of the dirt should be banked up against the trees and on them from the north- 68 PEACH CULTURE. "west side. This "will shield them from the cold blasts of "winter, and keep them in good condition until wanted the next sjjring. They may be still further protected by thro-n^ing over them, small branches of pine or other ever- green, bagasse, corn-stalks, or straw. The freer from seed or grain the better, as that, sometimes attracts the mice and otlier vermin, which often injure the trees. Here they should remain until wanted for shipment or planting the next spring. CHAPTER XI. SELECTING A SITE FOR AN ORCHARD. The first step, after the planter has either reared or purchased his trees, is the selection of a site for his or- chard. At first view this seems very simple ; but to in- sure satisfaction several things are to be considered. As the young wood and fruit buds often suffer from the piercing blasts of winter, a spot that is sheltered from these is much to be desired. And, as tlicy usually come from the north and north-west, a site on the south, or south-east, of a wood or hill, is, other things being equal, greatly to be preferred. And if a cove or valley can be found, surrounded on all sides by high lands, so much the better. But, except in a hilly country, sites of this kind cannot be foimd. But their value can hardly be overestimated ; and the possession of such a one has sometimes made the fortune of its owner. We will give an instance or two. On the Alleghany river, thirty-six miles above Pittsburg, resides Mr. Thomas Logan, whose success in raising fine fruit, especially apples, is famous. His land is good, but not better than that of many of his neighbors ; his culture is good, but not better than some SELECTING A SITE FOR AN ORCHARD. 69 others in the vicinity ; yet his success is far greater than any others. Indeed, he scarcely ever fails, and it is at- tributed to this cause — his orchard is surrounded by high hills. On the north, they rise several hundred feet, but are a mile or more in the distance ; on the east, they arc not quite so high, but approach nearer ; on the south, they are nearly as high as on the north, and about the same distance ; and on the west, they are not more than fifty or sixty feet high, but covered with timbei'. Between these flows the river, not in a straight line, but first to the south-west, then to the south-cast, and then back again to the south-west. By this peculiar topographical position, the wind has no direct sweep on the farm. What is more remarkable still, and goes even further to prove that Mr. Logan's success is owing to position, and not cultivation or other cause, is the fact, that on the fourth of June, A. D., 1859, a remarkable frost occurred, which killed not only the fruit, but the wheat and rye, and even the leaves of the trees, in all that section of the country. Yet Mr. Logan had sixty acres of wheat, which was not even injured. Many similar instances, but not perhaps so remarkable, have come under our own observation. The cases of trees in towns protected by houses and walls, are famil- iar. It seems plain, therefore, that the topography of a l^lace has much to do with the success or failure of an or- chard. But it is equally evident, that favorable locations, such as wo have described, are very rare. Proximity to a body of water is supjoosed by some to be a favorable circumstance ; and some remarkable results are referred to in sup2)ort of this opinion. It is, no doubt true, that the proximity of a bay, lake or largo river materially allevi- ates the severity of winter ; and often prevents the inju- rious effects of late frosts in the sj^ring. These beneficial results, however, are sometimes impaired, or entirely neutralized, by counteracting ones ; and especially in the 70 PEA.CH CUJ.TUEE. case of peaches. The peach is a tender and delicate fruit, ripens almost in a day and perishes in another, if not eaten or preserved. It is exceedingly susceptible to at- mospheric influences, and thousands of baskets have perished on the trees in consequence of 07ie warm viet day. This was the case in Delaware, in 1867, when the fruit rotted on the trees by car loads, for the want of dry air and sunshine. NoAV it has been found that orchards near water are more exposed to this danger than others. Hence, it is difficult to say whether or not it is advisable to select a site on the margin of a water. The advantages seem to be nearly equally balanced ; and the preponderance will, perhaps, be generally determined by other considera- tions. In former years, sites on the north sides of hills were considered best by many, inasmuch as the ground remained frozen much longer in the spring, thus retarding the blooming of the blossoms until after severe frosts, which it undoubtedly did. But closer and longer experi- ence and observation have satisfied planters that there is more danger from winter hillinr/, while the germ is her- metically folded in its flower leaves, than from spring frosts. Hence, that it is move important to obtain a slielter from the northern blasts of winter, than from the late frosts of spring. SOIL. The character of the soil must not bo overlooked. Much will depend upon this, in general, but especially in the culture and growth of the young trees. After the orchard is established and in bearing, the difierence will not be so material. Along the whole Delaware Peninsula, from Cape Charles, on the south, to the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal on the north, the soil is so peculiarly conducive to the production of the peach in all its rich luxuriousness, that it is difficult to make a mistake in the SELECTING A SITE FOR AN ORCHARD. 71 soil. Here, perhaps, the only thing to be studiously avoid- ed, is the low lands. Land that holds water is unfit for fruit of any kind, but especially so for peaches. Avoid- ing this, the cultivator can scarcely go wrong within the limits mentioned. In general, any soil that is well adapted to corn is good for peaches. But a light, sandy loaiii is best. Quick growth and rapid maturity, both of tree and fruit, are the characteristics of the peach ; and a light, warm soil is a necessary element in their production. The lighter the soil, the earlier will the tree bear and the fruit ripen, and the sooner will both fail. THE FIELD. It is usual to j^lant an entire field, and often several. As every planter wishes his plantation or farm to j^resent a handsome a^Dpearance to the public road or street, he will, when selecting a site for an orchard, have regard to this, and select a sj^ot that will gratify this commendable desire. Now, although orchards are very pretty in them- selves, yet, as they hide every thing beyond them, it is usually judicious to place them in the rear, where they form a handsome background to a stately mansion and beautiful lawn, flanked by waving fields of golden grain and fragrant clover. Besides, as a general rule, they are less exposed to depredations than when in front. SHAPE. Some regard should also be had to the shape of the field to be planted. A long strip, or angular piece, should be avoided, unless it is all the land on one side of a road, or properly rounds off another orchard. Orchards planted in squares, other things being equal, look best, and are most convenient. 72 PEACH CULTURE. CHAPTER XIL PLANTING AN ORCHARD. After the selection, the preparation of the ground is naturally the next tiling in order. This is quite simple, but often neglected. If there are any stamps, roots, or stones, they should be removed. If left they will interfere with the comfortable cultivation of the orchard, and may some day injure a tree. An orchard may be planted after any crop, but corn stubble is, perhajis, a preferable ground. If taste and neatness are to control, the ground will be carefully plowed, harrowed, and rolled. But when hun- dreds of trees are to be set in a short time, and speed and economy are important objects, all this is seldom done. It is quite common to do nothing more than plow the ground. Even this is sometimes omitted ; and that, too, without materially impairing the success of the job. When the ground is not even plowed, it is jDrepared in one of these two ways. A beginning is made by running a furrow, at the dis- tance of twenty feet, say, from the fence, in the direction the first row is to run ; and another, and another, at the same distance apart, until the ground has been gone over. Cross furroAvs are then run at right angles with the former, and at the same distances. The trees are planted at the intersections. The other way is very similar ; the only material differ- ence being, that instead of forming single furrows the first time, a double one is run, and a ridge formed by throw- ing two together. In order to do this accurately, begin on the east side of the field to be planted, and run the first furrow from north to south, nineteen feet from the PLANTING AN OECHAKD. 73 fence ; when at the south end, turn to the right, and run back to the place of starting at tha distance of twenty- one feet from the fence. By so doing, the two furrows will be thrown together, and the center of the ridge formed by these two furrows will be twenty feet from the fence, the distance designed for the first row of trees. Another ridge twenty feet to the west of that will now be formed in the same way, and so on until the requisite number has been made. If a beginning be made on the west side of the field, the process will be the same, ex- cept that the first furrow will be twenty-one and the second nineteen feet from the fence, reversing the fii'st order, but producing the same result. When these ridges have been made, the cross furrows ai*e also run in two ways. The first is simply single furrows run at right angles with the ridges, and twenty feet apart. The other is to run two furrows, one nineteen and the other twenty-one feet from the fence, throwing the mold in op- posite directions ; and thus forming the ridges into squares wliose sides are two feet. In the center of these squares, the trees are planted. It is easily seen that by this meth- od a dry seat is obtained for the young tree, as it is drained on all sides, which is the only advantage. In fall planting, especially when the land is low, we think it is to be preferred, but not in the spring — indeed, unless there is danger of drowning out the trees, during winter, we would not recommend it. When the ground has been prepared by running the cross furrows or ridges, there is nothing more to do until the i^lanting begins. But when it has been plowed, har- rowed, and rolled, as at first described, the i:)lanter has a choice of methods of marking, or " signing " out, his or- chard. He can do it by simply running furrows and cross fuiTows, at the proper distances, as heretofore men- tioned, for ground that has not been plowed at all, and which is done just as for corn, only tliat the rows are 4 74 PEACH CULTURE. wider. But, if geometrical exactness is required, he will have it staked oif with chain and comj^ass. This is sel- dom, if ever, done in large peach growing districts, where peaches are planted for profit, and where thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, in a single season by the 'same proprietor. Besides, a careful man, with a quiet team can run o^the rows very well, and so as to neither incommode the after tillage nor offend the eye by ir- regular lines. PLANTING. When all things are ready, the planting begins. And we remark here, that the same care is to be exercised to prevent mixture or confusion of varieties, as at the nur- sery. There should be only one variety in a row, and all of the same variety should be planted together. This will prove satisfactory when the fruit comes to be gathered. We might here suggest another method, which we have never seen adopted ; but, in view of the conveni- ence of gathering, we think w^orthy of consideration ; it is to i)lant the same variety in squares of 100, thus : By this method great compactness will be attained. For small orchards, where not more than two or three hundred of the same variety are desired, we think it will be found very convenient ; but when more are wanted, it will not afford any additional advantage. PLAXTIXG AIS" ORCHARD. 75 In planting an orchard, it is nsual to jDlant a number of varieties ; some early, some late, and some intermediate ones. The object of this is t\vo-fold. First, in order that success or failure may not depend altogether upon a sin- gle variety, but upon many. Secondly, that the fruit may ripen progressively, so that the planter will have a supply for the market during the entire season. Also, that he may be the better able to handle the crop, for ■while it may be quite convenient to send ten thousand baskets of a dozen varieties to market during a season of six weeks, it may be quite impracticable to send the same quantity, of one variety, in a sirrgle Aveek. For these rea- sons a selection is made, beginning ■with the earliest, and ending with the latest. One side of the orchard should be fixed upon as the front. Here should be the entrance, and as near the center as convenient, and from the entrance there should be an avenue, or main way, through to the rear. This should be at least thirty feet wide ; and, if large peach wagons are to be used, more space will be required, or at least a turning place at the far end. The earliest fruit should be planted next the entrance ; and progressively to the rear, planting the latest last. This will enable the planter to clear his orchard, as he goes. The trees in front will be relieved, the limbs will gradually regain their former position, little or no fruit "will be knocked oif in gathering, and the good temper both of the proprietor and hands be maintained. The actual .planting now begins by digging holes for the trees. "When the ground has been ridged, as above describ- ed, they are made in the center of the ridge about a foot or fifteen inches below the natural surface. We say natural surface, because it will not do to place the young trees on the tojJ of the ridge. By doing this, they would be simply planted upon a hillock, which would soon wear away, leaving the trees without adequate moisture or 76 PEACH CULTURE. support. The ridge is simply to serve as a temporary protection against water. After the first "vrinter has pass- ed, its use will have been ended. The roots of the young tree should, therefore, find their home and sustenance in the common level of the soil. The ridges themselves, the spring after planting, will be leveled down and in- corporated with the other mold. The holes at the crossings, in the other method, are mafic substantially the same way. In any case, regard should be had to the size of the roots, the character of the soil, etc. The usual size is about eighteen inches square, and twelve or fifteen inches deep. The admis- sion of tlie roots without crowding or cramping is the aim, and the intelligent operator can see at a glance what the proper size should be. When the soil is gravelly, or clayey, it is advisable to make them larger, in order that when the young fibres begin to grow, they may not have so compact a soil to penetrate ; but in congenial ground this is unnecessary. The trees are usually trimmed at the nursery, but some- times they are not, and have to be trimmed when set out. This is properly done by taking the young tree in the left hand, immediately above the roots, and turning up the latter. Then, with a slitirp pruning knife, cut off all injured roots, and shorten such straggling ones as ex- tend more than a foot from the main stem. Now turn the tree in the hand, and cut off smoothly and closely, every limb for the distance of two feet. The tree is now ready to plant. After the holes are dug, two hands, at least, are necessary to plant. The trees are first dropped, one at each hole. One of the hands throws a shovelful of mold into the hole ; the other sets the tree therein in an erect position, and holds it there. The first, shovels in the dirt that was previously taken out ; or, if this is not suf- ficiently rich or fine, he scoops up some of the surrounding surface, and fills up the hole, a little above the common PLANTING AN ORCHARD. 77 level, so as to shed the i*am. All the while, the second hand is tramping the soil closely around the root of the tree, and still maintaining its erect position. The next tree is set two or three hundred feet beyond the first ; and the third two or three liundred feet beyond the second, and so on to the end of the row. The object of tliis is to have sight trees or 2>o inters, and thus enable the operators to obtain straight rows, which they seldom do, when they plant continuously from one end to the other. During the planting, they ai-e continually sighting the rows, and also the cross rows, and drawing in, or shoving out, so as to get both in line. This is done almost instantly, takes far less time in the aggregate than is supposed, and adds greatly to the appearance of the or- chard. It is not customary, to use any fertilizer when planting, but sometimes a handful of bone-dust or ashes is placed in the hill ; and it is, no doubt, beneficial. Where the soil is clean and loose, the planting is very rapid ; and two hands will dig the holes and set five hundred trees a day in the light, mellow soil of the Pen- insula. Where it is less kind, the work will, of course, be slower. TIME. The orchard may be planted in the fall or spring with equal success. Some prefer the former, and some the latter. If the young trees have been grown in rich soil, the wood will be somewhat soft and succulent ; and, if planted in the fall, in severe latitudes, they will be very much exposed, and may freeze down during the winter ; while if the same trees be kept heeled-in, and thus pro- tected, they will sufier little or no injury. The advantages of fall planting are, that first-class trees are more readily obtained, as the inirseries liave not then been culled, or the stock exhausted, as is often the case in 78 PEACH CULTUKE. the spring. For this reason it is well to secure the trees in the fall, even if they are not to be planted until spring. The ground is generally in better order in the fall than in the spring, and the planting can, in consequence, be done in a more satisfactory manner. It is also a more convenient season for the j^lanter. His corn has been harvested, his fall work generally disposed of; and just before the win- ter sets in, he can plant his orchard. For these reasons we i^refer the fall ; but if more convenient, we should not hesitate to plant in the spring. Our experience justifies this conclusion. We commenced planting an orchard in the fall of 1867; but, before we finished, Ave were over- taken by winter ; the residue of the trees were hecled-in until the next spring, Avhen they were planted. In the sum- mer of 1869, we could not tell which looked best. Both did very well. In the fall, planting may commence as soon as the leaves can be rubbed off with the hand, and continue imtil winter stops tlie work. In spring, it may commence as soon as the ground is dry enough, and con- tinue until the buds come out. CHAPTER XIII, ORCHARD CULTIVATION. FIRST TRIMMING. When the trees are planted in the fall, it is preferable to leave a few branches towards the top of the stem. They serve as a sort of shield to frosts of winter. When planting is done in the spring, the trees should be trimmed close and smooth like a rod, every limb taken off, and the tops cut down to a uniform height of not less than two feet and a half, nor more than three and a half. ORCHARD CULTIVATION". 79 Three feet is a very good lieight. Those j^lanted in the fall," should be treated in the very same way in the spring following. This should be done as early in the spring as the weather will admit, as it is desirable to confine all the ascending sap to the stem, and not let it be wasted in the branches which are to be cut off. Some uninformed and inexperienced planters often leave a few branches, hojDing thereby to induce earlier fruiting ; but it has no such effect, but rather retards it ; for it should always be re- membered, that fruit is only produced on wood of the previous year's growth ; so that these branches on the trees when planted, never can produce fruit, unless it be the first season. This very seldom occurs, and is never desirable. CROPPING. The usual crop cultivated in a young peach orchard, is corn — small grains, never. It is believed, that if the ground was merely cultivated between the rows, kept loose and clear of weeds and grass, the young trees would make more rapid growth ; and to cultivate with low vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbages, and so forth, would be better than corn. But it is too long to wait for a re- turn, to leave the ground idle until the peaches come in ; and the acreage is too great, to cultivate it all in potatoes or other root crop. It is, therefore, cultivated in the favorite croj:*, corn. And this is perhaps the best after all, as the injury to the young orchard is but slight, while the return is considerable. The ground is prepared in the spring as any other. It is plowed, harrowed, sometimes rolled, and then marked out and planted, with four rows between each row of trees. It is done in this way : Run a furrow for a row of corn four feet from the row of trees; then another four feet from that one ; a third four feet from the last, and a fourth four feet from the third. The distances will count 80 PEACH CULTURE. thus : From row of trees to first row of corn, 4 feet ; from first row of corn to second, 4 feet ; from second to third row of corn, 4 feet ; from the third to the fourth, 4 feet ; and from the fourth row of corn to the next row of trees, 4 feet ; in all, twenty feet. As no furrow can be run, between the trees and on the same line, the spaces are filled up by hand and hoe, without any furrow. It will be seen from this, that each tree occupies j^recisely the space of one hill of corn ; that is, a square each side of M'hich is four feet. This is sufficient the first season. The second, the rows may be reduced to three ; the third to two ; after which, if the orchard has grown well, and comes into bearing, it will not be desirable to crop it at all. But planters often cultivate four rows all the while. SECOND TRIMMING. In the month of June after planting, an intelligent and careful man should go through the orchard with his pruning knife, and lop off every limb and sucker nearer than two feet and a half to the ground. He should also cut in any straggling limbs that have gone far beyond the general contour of the head. It will also in some cases be judicious to thin out some, on one side or the other, in order to give the tree a proper balance and handsome shape. It is of great importance that this work be timely and properly done ; for if the suckers and low limbs be not cut ofl", they will not only spoil the shape of the tree, but exhaust its strength and greatly retard its growth. If the trimming is timely and judiciously done, the limbs that are left will grow strong and vigorous, the wood will ripen early, and the vitality of the tree be preserved. At the time this trimming takes place, if any diseased, scrubby, or incurably ill-shaped trees are found, they should be carefully noted, in order that tliey may be re- placed the next fall. This should be done thus: let ORCHARD CULTIVATION. 81 the pruner have a little memorandum, and enter therein the number of such trees in each row, giving also the num- ber of the row and the variety. By this means the planter will know exactly, how many trees of each variety he will need, and in what rows the vacancies occur, and all without the expense and trouble of a recount. The more effectually to insure the proper substitution, the faulty trees should be pulled up, broken down, or otherwise destroyed. HEIGHT OF HEAD. There is some diversity of opinion in regard to the height of the head of a tree ; or rather at what height the head should be allowed to commence to form. We think three feet the proper height. Allowing the limbs to stand at this point, they will naturally strike upward at an acute angle with the stem, and thus allow room enough to cultivate around them with a mule or low horse. And this is important to the cultivator ; for if the trees, instead of being plowed around, have to be dug or spaded, the expense will be considerably increased. The arguments advanced by those who advocate low heads are two. First : that the fruit is nearer the ground, more easily picked, and not so likely to break down the branches. Second: that the low heads withstand the storm better, and are not so easily blown down. But the answer to all this is, that when the heads are low, the fruit does not ripen early or well on the low branches, and is generally small in size and inferior in quality. In time, the lower branches for the want of sufficient air and light, die, and have to be removed, thus leaving the tree with less bearing wood or in worse shape than if it had been trimmed up to the proper height at first. In regard to the exemption from injury by storms, it is ascertained, from experience and observation, that very few trees are 4* 82 PEACH CULTURE. ever blown down, or even injured by ordinary storms, and as to tornadoes or hurricanes, low heads give no protec- tion. It is admitted the fruit can be more easily gathered from low than high trees ; but this advantage is but slight, and no adequate compensation for what is lost. The character of tlie head is formed the first year, and it will need but little attention thereafter. The trimming ^ directed for June, however, should be repeated about the last of August. If well done on those two occasions, all that will be necessary in subsequent years will be to cut out deaii and broken branches. Peach trees do not form close, compact heads, like apples and pears ; and, conse- quently, do not need thinning. CUTTING-IN. Some maintain that the peach tree should be cut-in an- nually. This is done by cutting oif about one-half of each year's growth the same season, or early the next spring. When the sap reaches this point, it is, of course, checked, and sends out several new brandies, instead of following the old one, as it would have done, had not that been cut in. In this way, more bearing wood is pro- duced nearer the main stem and nearer the ground. We believe it is an advantage ; and, in the case of young trees, may do very well; but when the trees attain full size, it would require much labor, and be attended with considerable expense ; and, taking into view the fact, that the trees hardly ever bear three years in succession, it is believed that cutting-in would not pay. For garden cul- ture, or even small orchards, it may be adopted; but when trees are counted by thousands, and tens of thou- sands, few will find it convenient or profitable. There is still another advantage claimed for cutting-in, and which we do not wish to undervalue. It is, that it invigorates and prolongs the life of the tree. We think this is so, ORCHARD CULTIVATIOX. 83 and that a tree cut-in annually will remain longer thrifty than one not so treated. The leaves will be greener, the young bearing wood more abundant, and the fruit lai'ger and richer. But in a congenial soil, where orchards are nearly as easily renewed as strawberries, and where the trouble and expense of cuttiug-in are considerable, it will not be often resorted to. PLOWING. The orchard should be plowed at least twice during the year. Once between the middle of April and the middleof May ; and again between the middle of Septem- ber and the middle of October; each time with a small plow. A small plow is preferable, because it can be easily handled and guided among the trees and about the roots without injury; and also because a large plow makes the furrows too deep, and thereby cuts the roots. The furrows should be narrow, so that the ground may be well broken. The rows of trees are first plowed around with a low horse or mule, so that he can walk close up to the trees. The single-tree used should not be more than eighteen inches long, and the ends should be covered with stiff leather shields. The horse should be muzzled to keep him from biting the trees. Both these precautions should be taken whenever an orchard is plowed, but in plowing amongst young trees, it is doubly important. The fur- rows, in the spring, are thrown from the tree; in the fall, toicards them. The reason of this is, that in spring, when growth commences, it is not advantageous, but rather in- jurious to the tree to have any soil piled around it. The light and air are wanted to act on the roots. The rains also, trickle down the branches and stems, and thus reach the roots. A pile of earth, therefore, around the roots, sheds the water, and prevents its proper distribution. But in the fall, after the growth has been made and the 84 PEACH CULTUKE. fruit gathered, the tree needs rest, the less water about the stera the better. The earth thrown up about the root is then a positive advantage, as it not only sheds the "winter rains in some degree, but it also serves as a mulch to protect from injury. This tender part is what is called the " neck," and extends about an inch above, and two below the surface. Here, then, is a constant ebb and flow of heat, and operating in contrary directions at different seasons. In summer the air is warmer than the earth ; but in winter, colder. The surface line marks the limit of these two influences ; and from their constant fluctuations, it is always a tender point, and liable to be attacked by disease. In plowing around the trees, about two circuits are made. The middles are then broken up with two horses or mules, and a somewhat larger plow; but a very large plow should never be iised. When the ground is thus plowed, it is carefully harrowed, or cultivated down, un- til every clod is broken, and the whole surface left as smooth as a garden. In doing this, one horse and a small harrow is used around the trees, and two horses and a larger one in the middles. In wet seasons, foul land, or very rich soil, the cultivations may have to be repeated oftener than have been mentioned heretofore in this chapter. COMING IN. 85 CHAPTER Xiy. COMING IN. A full crop of peaches may usually be expected tlie foixrth year after planting. Thus, an orchard planted in the fall of 1865, yields a full crop of j^eachcs in 18G9. When we say a fall crop, we mean a hasJcet to the tree. This is a full crop for trees of that age and size, and quite as much as they ought to bear. Some, however, will bear two baskets instead of one, and others will not have half a basket. Something depends upon variety, culture, and so on. Sometimes it is very difficult to account for the difference in production. But there are some varieties that uniformly bear large crops, and others that as uni- formly bear small ones ; Plale's Early is a striking instance of the former, and Susquehanna equally so of the latter. From years, however, of observation, it is found that certain varieties are not only much more fruitful than others, but commence bearing much earlier. Whether or not they continue as long, is a question not so well settled,. as there has not been time enough for observa- tion. From present indications it would seem that they do ; but longer experience and closer observation will be needed to test it thoroughly. We have said a full cro]-) may be expected in four years. Of course this general statement should be quali- fied by the remark that it is not to bo expected if the season be inimical. If there is a failure generally, the young trees will share the fate of the old ones. Again, they often begin to bear earlier. We have seen trees, planted in the spring, mature perfect fruit the same fall; and we have now, July 1869, young trees full 86 PEACH CULTUKK. of fruit that were planted in the fall of 1867. They are, however, all of one variety, Hale's Early, which is re- markable for its early bearing as well as its early ripen- ing, but many of these will yet fall off before full ma- turity. Sometimes fruit will appear the second, and others the third year. It is not generally desirable that trees should bear vrhen very young. It is injurious in two ways. It weakens the tree itself in diverting the vital forces from the formation of wood into the production of fruit, oftentimes giving the tree a lasting tendency to feebleness. At an early age neither the stem nor the branches are able to bear a load of fruit, and they often break down under its weight. The tree is thus permanently injured both in usefulness and beauty. The sum of the matter is, that trees do sometimes bear even the first year, which is to be regretted ; often the second, which is not to be desired ; very often the third, which is gratifying ; and neai'ly always the fourth, which is to be expected and desired. When fruit appears the first year, it should be rubbed off, in order to protect the tree. A single peach may sometimes be left to gratify the enthusiastic planter. The second year thrifty, vigorous trees may be allowed to carry a dozen. The third year, two or tree times as many. The fourth, whatever they produce. BASKETS AND CRATES. 87 CHAPTER XV. BASKETS AND CRATES. We have now followed the peach from the kernel to the mature tree, loaded with its rich burden of delicious and health-giving fruit. The next thing is to get it to market. But before this is done, several preliminary matters have to be arranged. And amongst these, Baskets and Crates are prominent. The standard size of a peach basket is five-eighths of a bushel, struck measure. This size has been adopted and fixed by the ^''Peninsular Fruit Groicer's As- sociation^^'' and upon it all collateral calculations are made. The baskets Fig. 11. — cuip BASKET, are usually about eight inches in diameter at the bottom, flaring to about sixteen inches at the top. They are always made of wood, but in various ways. Some, of the old-fashioned white-oak splits, which are the most durable and substantial; others of staves, with a solid bottom, which are neater but not so strong ; and others again, of broad bass-wood splits, very light, neat and handsome. These last are furnished also with a light frame lid fastened with a wire, which makes them very desirable for shipping by express, or when they are not ex- pected to be returned. Still another is recommended by some, and is said to be popular in the West. It is firkin-shaped, has three hoops, and contains one-third of a bushel. It is a stave basket, the staves being of tulip or poj)lar wood — of Fig. 12. — STAVE BASKET. 88 PEACH CULTURE. course other varieties would answer equally well — the ends and covers of pine. It is made on an iron frame of three iron discs and spindle. The inner and outer hoops are set in the top, a stave put in place, then another, and so on all i-ound. Some- times the staves are pierced to admit the air. All these have their special merit. The first will last for years, so £^ far as mere wear and tear is concerned, gj But old baskets, when they become FigTlir— BEECHER faded, make a poor appearance, and BASKET. planters generally discard them, be- lieving that they lose more in the price of their fruit than would pay for new ones. Hence the durability is not so much of an object as lightness and neatness. The stave basket is preferred by some, because, being smooth inside, the peaches do not lodge on the sides as they do to some degree in the old split baskets. But, un- less the fruit is quite ripe, which it never should be when picked, it is believed very little injury results frAn this cause. Whatever baskets may be adopted, they should be procured in good time, as it often happens that just in the height of the season, when most needed, they are most difficult to obtain. The quantity a planter may need will depend, not only upon the size of his crop, but also ujDon his distance from market, and the prompt attention of his consignees and transporters in returning his baskets. If he send his fruit by rail, a distance not exceeding two hundred miles, the baskets should be returned to him the third day. If four hundred miles, which is about as far as mature peaches can be sent with safety, on the fifth day. This is plenty of time and rather more than faithful and ex- pert consignees and transporters will require. But we often find, that through the carelessness or dishonesty of BASKETS AND CRATES. 89 these agents, the time greatly exceeds this, and many- baskets are never returned at all. When not so returned, regular business consignees pay for the baskets at the rate of a quarter of a dollar a piece ; but the sharpers and extemporized dealers usually manage to elude responsibil- ity, and cheat their patrons out of the baskets that have been lost through their carelessness, or which they have sold with the peaches for reshipment, and for Avhich they have received the money. But suppose the planter to live two hundred miles from market, and have ten thousand baskets of fruit ; how many baskets should he need? We ascertain it thus: The quantity is ten thousand baskets, and the time in which they are to be shipped will not exceed sixty work- ing days. Divide 10,000 by 60, and we have 166 *|^ bas- kets as the average daily shipment for the season. Did not this average vary, were the baskets promj^tly return- ed, we would then need just five hundred baskets to ship our entire crop of ten thousand. The operation would be this: Monday we ship 166; Tuesday 167; and Wed- nesday 167, equal 500. On Wednesday evening, Mon- day's baskets come back, and are ready for Thursday's shijiment ; and so, in regular succession, tlirough the season. But no matter how judiciously orchards have been planted, with a view to uniform and successive ripen- ing, it is found in practice, that sometimes much more fruit will ripen than at others. Hence, the necessity of providing for the excess over the general average. In a matter that in its nature is fluctuating, we can only ap- proximate exactness. In ordinary cases, twenty-five per centum will be a liberal allowance. This would require the planter to have 625 baskets. And this should be what he would need. But what prudent man would undertake to send a crop of ten thousand baskets in six hundred and twenty-five ? The reason he can not do it is, consio-nees sell or lend them to tlieir retail customers, or 90 PEACH CULTURE. neglect to put them in return cars ; and railroad agents neglect to deliver at the right place, deliver too late, or do not deliver at all ; and the planter has to provide for all these contingencies at considerable expense and loss ; so that, instead of 650 baskets, he provides from 2,500 to 3,500, or four or five times as many as he ought to need. This . abuse, howevei-, is now attracting attention, and will no ' doubt be corrected, either in reforming the old, or employ- ing new agents. The estimates here given are based on the usual prac- tice amongst planters of planting early, medium and late fruit to 7'/(ji through the season. But some plant only a few favorites. In such instances, many more baskets will be required, because the fruit will ripen more nearly to- gether. For instance, a planter has ten thousand baskets of Hale's Early, Troth's Early, and Early York, in equal proportions. Now, instead of running sixty working days, they would not run more than twenty. And instead of sending 16G per day, he would send 500. Monday he will need 500 ; Tuesday 500, and Wednesday 500; 1,.500 in the aggregate before he gets any back. Add to this 25 per cent and he should have 1,875, were his agents honest and faithful. As he finds them, he must provide a basket for every two baskets of fruit, to be reasonably assured that he will have sufiicient. This abuse in regard to baskets is very annoying to planters, and greatly di- minishes their profits. It should be promptly corrected. It is wholly inexcusable. CKATES. The standard dimensions of a crate are eight inches wide, fourteen deep, and twenty-three and a half long, outside measure. They are made of pine or other light Avood. The ends and partition are sawed three-quarters of an inch thick, seven and a half wide, and fourteen long. BASKETS AND CRATES. 91 The bottom and top twenty-three and a half long, six and a half wide, and three-eighths of an inch thick. The sides are composed of four slats, twenty-three and a half inches long, two and a half inches wide, and also three- eighths of an inch thick. Sometimes lighter stuff is used. The ends and partition are thicker, because to these all the other pieces are nailed. The whole crate consists of thirteen pieces. It is very simple in construction, and any intelligent hand, with a proper frame, can put it up without difficulty. The stuff is sometimes planed on the outside, which gives it a much neater appearance. Crates cost from thirteen to twenty dollars per hundred. They go with the peaches, and are never returned ; hence, those who ship in crates must provide as many V " "^ crates as they have fruit to j^^ CRATE. fill them. The reasons they are not returned, are two. First : they cannot be packed in each other like baskets, but occupy precisely as much room as when full. Besides, they are much more trouble- some to handle, and the transporters will not return them free of charge as they do baskets. Secondly : they are usually reshipped or sent at once to a distant market, and sold with the peaches. The relative merits and advantages of shipping in bas- kets and crates depend on circumstances. If the planter is shipping fruit to be sold in the New York or Philadel- phia market, lie will find it profitable to ship in baskets, as it is better displayed, and presents a more inviting ap- pearance. But if he ships to more distant points, or only to the great commercial centers for reshipment, crates are preferable, as the fruit is better protected, and bears rouj^her handlinsr. Shijjping by express is done almost exclusively in crates. 92 PEACH CULTUKE. CHAPTER XVI. TRANSPORTATION. The subject of Transportation has been, and still is, one of great interest and considerable difficulty, as well as the source of no small amount of bad feeling to peach growers on the Delaware Peninsula. The peach trade itself is but of recent date, and its rapid growth has been unprecedent- ed. Ten years ago it was insignificant ; now it is fully equal to two millions and a lialf baskets in a fruitful season. At first, the charge for transportation by rail to Philadel- phia was six cents per basket, and to New York twelve. But the charges have been constantly increasing ever since, until in 1867, they were to Philadelphia thirteen, and to New York, thirty-six and a half cents. On a compai-ison of the charges on peaches with those for transportation of other articles, the unreasonableness was so apparent, that great dissatisfaction was felt amongst growers, and means of redress were sought. For this purpose a convention of Fruit Growers was held in the Capitol at Dover, on the 15th of October, 1867, and a permanent organization effected under the name of the " Peninsula Fruit Groioers' Associatioti.'''' One of the main objects of this association was to obtain a reduc- tion of freight to New York. A large committee of influ- ential and intelligent gentlemen was appointed to confer with the officers of the railroad companies, and endeavor to make a satisfactory arrangement. Several conferences took place accordingly, and a reduction nearly equivalent to ten cents per basket was obtained for the year 1868. But as there were no peaches that year, it amounted to no practical advantage. It was not satisfactory, anyhow, to a large portion of the peach groAvers, and very justly 80 ; for the charges wei'e still extortionate, and totally TRANSPOllTATION. 93 unjustifiable on any principle of right and wrong ; being about yoz/r times as much as for any other freight of its class. Indeed the object of the railroad companies seem- ed to be to appropriate, in the form of freights, all the profits of the crop, and leave the growers only enough to pay for production, picking and selling. But this unjust and dishonest conduct, on the part of the railroad compa- nies, had the efiect of aroushig public indignation, and directing public attention to other means of transporta- tion. It was soon found that most of the fruit could be sent much cheaper and in much better order by water ; and now lines of steamers are forming between New York and Philadelphia, and the several harbors on the bay-side. In order that interior growers may reach the bay, a steam-tug is to be employed in every creek to convey schooners and other small craft down the creeks to the principal stations. By this means most of the fruit can be carried to the gi-eat cities, in good time, in better order, and much cheaper than if sent by rail. The rates have not yet been permanently fixed, but it is believed they will not vary much from fifteen cents per basket to New Yoi-k, or a little over half Avhat they are by railroad. Besides this, there are new lines of roads building, which will afford still greater facilities, and reduction of freights. The route and line by which to ship the fruit, what- ever they may be, should be selected as early as con- venient, that is, as soon as all the accessible informa- tion can be obtained. Tlie next thing to be looked after, is the engagement of the requisite number of cars or boats, and to arrange the time of their departure and arrival. Peaches are perishable, and it will not do to leave their transportation to the opportunities or contingencies of the hour. A complete running schedule must be fixed upon, and must be run with certainty, or the shipper may suffer great loss during the season. 94 PEACH CULTUKE. CHAPTER XVII. CONSIGNEES. In the cities of Philadelphia and New York there is a a class of men known as commission merchants and prod- uce dealers. They have stands or stalls in the markets, or in some of the streets where fruits and vegetables are principally sold. But their more profitable and import- ant business in a fruitful season is to sell fruit, and espe- cially peaches, on commission. The distance between Philadelphia and the center of the peach district being only about seventy-five miles, the time very short, and only the smaller portion of the croj? sent there, the com- mission men seldom make any very special efibrt to obtain the trade, or arrangement for its delivery. They rely upon the ordinary provisions of the roads and steamboats. But not so with those of New York. The great bulk of the crop is sent there ; the competition is very brisk, and it, conse- quently, requires special efforts, and complete arrange- ments to secure patronage. Hence, as soon as it is ascer- tained, to a reasonable certainty, that there will be a crop, the commission men visit the peach district in per- son, or send expert agents, to secure consignments and engage cars and shipj^ing agents. They first estimate the crop ; then engage the number of cars requisite to trans- port the consignments that will be made to them ; and then the local shippers at the different stations where peaches are to be delivered. This completes the arrange- ment at the producing end of the line. At the sale end, carts are hired to haul the peaches from Jersey City, the end of the railroad line, to i:)oints of sale or reshipment in COXSIGNEES. 95 New York, A portion of the fruit is sold at the stands of the consignees ; the rest is sold to other parties at whole- sale, and reshipped to Boston, Providence, Albany, Montreal, and elsewhere. Some of the consignees are upright, honest men, who do a fair and legitimate business, on business principles ; but many of them are swindlers and sharpers, whose sole object is to make money for the time, and who have no reputation to lose, and Avho do not aim to gain one. These are unscrupulous in their statements, im2:)ortunate in their solicitations for consignments, and wholly unreliable in making returns. They often advertise in religious papers, obtain some credulous, or good natured man, to certify to their characters and qualifications, obtain consignments upon the faith of them, and cheat their dupes out of all tliey send them. This may be regarded as the most dis- reputable class. There is another, however, as dishonest, but more politic. The members of this class wish to main- tain good reputations, and, at the same time, fill their pockets with what justly belongs to others. They do it in one or other of these ways : The fruit consigned to them is nearly always of different grades ; from very good to 2)oor, If they have stands of their own, where they sell by retail, they will select a portion, it may be a fifth, a fourth, or a third, of the choicest for themselves, and sell the remainder at an average price of seventy-five cents per basket, which may be a fair enough price for such fruit. But the fruit the dealer has taken to his own stand would readily bring a dollar and a half per basket. However, he returns the whole consignment at seventy-five cents, and pockets the difference. To illustrate. Let us suppose Peter Pence consigns to John Sly two hundred and fifty baskets of graded peaches. Fifty are very fine ; one hun- dred are good ; seventy-five are fair ; and twenty-five are poor : The jiroper market price would be thus presented : 96 PEACH CULTURE. 50 Baskets fine at $1.50 per basket, 175.00 GO u good '• 1.00 " '' 100.00 75 a fair '^ 75 " 56.25 25 u poor " 50 " 12.50 Total, 8243.75 200 Baskets at 75 cents - - 150.00 The difference is - - $93.75 Or if the consignee is very smart, and wishes to make a pretense of great exactness, he will make out a detailed account thus : 50 Baskets at $1.00 - - $50.00 , 100 " "75 - - 75.00 75 " "50 - - 37.50 25 " "40 - - 10.00 Total, - - - $172.50 Difference, - - $71.25 This difference the dishonest consignee pockets, and absolutely cheats his confiding customer out of this amount in a single transaction. Others manage it different- ly. Sell for all they can and return what they please. If the market is very good, and prices high, they may sell a whole consignment at $1.50 per basket, and return $1.25, or, if the market is, on the contrary, glutted, they may sell for 75 cents, and return 65, and so on ; their returns depending altogether upon their own cupidity, fear of de- tection, or loss of patronage. We have reliable informa- tion that some parties have actually made enough in a single season from these swindling operations, to retire from business altogther. And we know one firm, whose business was very extensive, but whose dereliction in this respect was so gross, that not a single planter patronized them a second season. T/ie^/ run clear out. CO>fSlGNEES. 97. Such gross frauds can hardly occur in any other busi- ness; but is comparatively easy in this. The fruit is perishable ; it has uo standard vahie ; the market prices fluctuate with the supply, the temperature, and even the hour of its arrival. Hence it is almost impossible to know, or even guess, what it should bring. And this is the reason that consignors cannot protect themselves against these fraudulent practices. Their only safety is in the honesty of their consignees. Of this they judge by the season's returns. If they are consistent through- out the season, and a fliir average price is realized, the planter is usually satisfied. One ships to one agent, and another to another. They can compare notes. If the man who has the worst peaches gets the best price, the other may be reasonably certain, he has been cheated. But if the fruit is equally good, and the price for the same days nearly the same, both may reasonably conclude they have been honorably dealt with. The rule is not in- fallible : for there may be collusion, or both may be equally dishonest. But the planter can do nothing more than exercise his best judgment in the selection of his consignee. It is very important lie should do this ; and after he has gain- ed all the information he can, he will at last have to com- mit himself to the keeping of somebody, and run the risks which are incident to his business. Old shippers are wary and alert. New ones should consult them, and avail themselves of their advice ; re- membering tlie old proverb, that " experience teaches a dear school." Then again, abuses may, and should be, remedied ; and if the planters on the Peninsula Avould but consult their own interest, abuses would soon cease. Tiie cure is in their own hands. But it requires combined action, and herein lies the difficulty. There is not one of them Avho would not Avillingly and cheerfully give ten times the time 98 PEACH CULTURE. and money necessary to effectuate the object, could he do s,o individually ; but because it requires united efforts, meetings, differences, and discussions, it is not done, and thousands, yes, tens of thousands of dollars are lost every year. One object of the Peninsida Fruit Growers' Asso- ciation was to insure ^l)l ity of interest and purpose. With tliis view, it embraced the entire Peninsula, which fur- nishes nearly all the peaches sent to Philadelphia and New York. But so far, it has not enlisted nearly all the planters. Most of the large ones, it is true, are members, but still a large number have stood aloof, and, while it is believed they approve of the Association and its aims, yet they have not taken interest enough in it to give it their active support. Some of them expect to reap the ad- vantages without the incidental expenses of time and money. Others do not unite from the mere force of a habit, which repels tliera from all associations whatever. In this way the Association is not able to do all the good it otherwise might. Did it include all the planters of the Peninsula, as was intended by its founders, it is easily seen it would control the peach market, and might dic- tate its own terms. One of its first and most obvious objects then would be to establish a depot, or mart, of its own in Philadelphia and New York, where all its fruit would be sold by its own agents. This would dispense with consignees or middle men altogether, and would be a benefit to both producer and consumer ; as the latter Avould be better served, at no greater, if not a reduced, price, while the former would obtain wbat the fruit was worth in the market. Until this be done, the planters need not expect to avoid imposition and fraud. LADDERS. 99 CHAPTER XVni. LADDERS. The ladders used in the peach orchard are about ten feet high, and are self-supporting. They are all of one general model, although differing somewhat in construc- tion. The most approved is made of two boards, six in- ches wide and one thick, for the sides ; into these are grooved and mortised steps of the same width. On the top there is a board about eight or ten inches broad for setting the basket, and also for the picker to stand on FiiT. 16.— CHEAP LADDER. while picking the highest peaches. Through the top runs an iron rod, or wooden rung, which fastens the support. This latter consists of two poles or narrow pieces of scant- ling, fastened together by cross-bars, such as shingling lath, which rotates on the rod or rung, and can be drawn out from, or up to, the steps at will. Both the ladder and support are wider at the bottom than at the top, which insures against toppling over. A simple and cheaper ladder is made by taking four 100 PEACH CULTURE. pieces of shingling lath of the required length, nailing two strips of the same material opposite each other on two of them for a step, and as many thus as there may be steps required, and a board across the top ones for a rest for the basket. Then take the other two pieces of lath, and connect them by single rods or rungs for the support, boring holes through them at the top for the connecting rod with the steps. The upper edges of the strips in the ladder proper serve instead of the regular step in the first described. In order to stand firmly, the ladder and sup- port are both wider at the bottom than at the top as the first. Various other contrivances are used for the same pur- pose. CHAPTER XIX. SHIPPING. In this, as in most other business, there is a class of men called shippers. They are generally in connection with the consignees in the city, and divide the commissions. They are always identified Avith the local interest, and generally have the confidence of the planters. They en- gage cars, employ hands to receive the fruit from the wagons, and store it properly in them. They are a very useful adjunct to the trade as at present conducted ; but if the railroad companies would do their duty, and employ faithful and efficient agents in sufficient force, there would be no need whatever of shippers^ so called, and the expense of their employment would be altogether saved to the planter. But, as theee companies have hither- to failed altogether in their duty in this regard, shippers SHIPi^NG. 101 are a necessity, except to the large planters, who can employ their own cars. For it will not justify a man who has only a few thousand baskets to sell, to go to much trouble and expense in order to get them to market ; and he, therefore, finds shippers both a convenience and a profit. The cars are prepared especially for the purpose. They are intended to carry five hundred baskets, weighing about sixteen thousand pounds. They are furnished with shelving to receive this quantity. The shelving consists of stays and boards to set the baskets on, so that one bas- ket does not rest on another, and thereby injure the fruit. It is a temporary, movable frame-work, taken down and set up at pleasure, and, in fact, at every loading. In filling a car, the fruit is received at the middle, and stowed away at each end ; the shelves being put up, as required, from rear to the center ; when filled, the doors are shut and locked, and so remain until they reach their destination. The cars are ventilated in order to keep the fruit from heating and rotting. When the weather is very dry, and the road dusty, considerable dust is introduced through the ventilators ; but, as the cars are at present constructed, it seems unavoidable. It is believed, however, that by a properly constructed and furnished car, this could be efiectually prevented. For this reason it is much prefer- able to ship in boats where it is practicable. BOATS. Shipping by boats, although always preferable where it can be done, is usually attended with more trouble in the first instance. The railroad is prompt, speedy, and punc- tual. All this the boats may also be, and usually are. But the railroad remains constant and continuously throughout the year. This the boats cannot be. Except during the peach season, there is no suflScient trade to keep them employed, and lines have to be extemporized for the 102 PEACH CULTUKE. occasion. This requires negotiation, correspondence, interviews, and some responsibility. Some people do not know how or where to go about it ; others, are too cau- tious to enter upon it ; wliile others, again, have not in- terest enough to undertake it. Were it not for the extortionate charges of the railroad companies, they would transport nearly all the peaches. As it is, the boats take a very respectable portion. These evils, however, will correct themselves as the importance of the trade increases. The boats will either make complete aiTangements for carrying from all accessible jjoints ; or the companies will reduce their rates by rail to a reasonable figure. At present the boats carry for fifty per cent less than the cars, and make more money than by any other freight. Such a business Avill soon attract the attention of steam- boat men seeking employment for their vessels ; especially as the hight of the peach trade occurs at a season when there is usually a dearth in other freights. CHAPTER XX. PICKING. The planter, having procured liis baskets, selected his route and means of transportation, and engaged his con- signee, now patiently awaits the maturity of his fruit. Hale's Early usually commences coming in about the twenty-fifth of July, and the season closes with Smock about the last of September. But in old orchards there are often some trees that ripen their fruit in advance even of the earliest varieties. They are decayed or diseased, and the fruit is not perfect, and often small and of very inferior flavor. The peaches are PICKING. 103 called "Prematures" and, altliough very inferior, sell for a good price, simply because they come in before any other. They are usually bought by keepers of restaurants for pies. We have seen them sent by express five hundred miles, and sold for from five to six dollars a crate, when they then would not have brought fifty cents at home. And afterwards, we have seen in the same market, the choicest ripe and luscious fruit of nearly a pound's weight, go a beg- ging for purchasers at two dollars per crate ! Such is the influence of circumstances. But to the planter, who raises fruit for profit, the " Prematures " are of more value than the mature jDcaches, and it is important to him to i:)ick them as they ripen, and send them off. He must, therefore, provide for it in time. The quantity is so small, and the coming in so early, that no special peach transportation will have been jirovided ; he will, therefore, have to send by express or the ordinary freight. Some j^eople suppose " Prematures " unhealthy : but we have used them habitu- ally in our family, for sauce and pies, without the slightest bad efiect ; and as they come in advance of the mature fruit, we relish them very much. We never use them green. And this leads us to say a word on unripe fruit. Some persons are so nervously anxious to get in early fruit before their neighbors, or so avaricious and indifier- ent to the rights of others, that they will pick their fruit before it matures. This is an evil that must be corrected ; no just person will do it, because he knows it is wrong ; he knows it is not fit to use, and that he would not use it himself To sell it to others, is, therefore, a violation of the golden rule. But as some persons do not govern themselves by the principles of honor and religion, but only by those of pure selfishness, it is necessary for the community to protect itself against such. We therefore, advise every purchaser to reject all immature fruit. Buy it at no price. Let no commission man ofier it ; and those avaricious sharks will soon find it unprofitable to ship 104 PEACH CULTURE. immature fruit, and the market will not be burdened with it. Indeed it seems a sin against nature to pull a peach when only a little over half size, green, and bitter, when by leaving it on the tree a few days longer, it would in- crease in size, beauty, sweetness, and wholesomeness. Ten days or two weeks before picking commences in earnest, the planter looks up his pickers. Their number will depend, of course, on the quantity of fruit ripening daily. If he has ten thousand assorted trees, ripening over the whole season, he will not need nearly so many as if he has the same number of a few varieties, ripening together, or nearly so. But suppose he has ten tliousand trees. If old trees they will average, with a full crop, about three baskets to the tree ; an aggregate of thirty thousand baskets. In a season of sixty days, this would give five hundred baskets a day. A hand is allowed to pick forty baskets, which would require a force of twelve hands, con- stantly employed in picking. If the fruit is of two or three varieties only, it will ripen in twenty days, and the force required will be thirty-six hands. If the trees are young, one basket to the tree will be about the average ; and less than one-third the force Avill be required, as it is easier picking from young trees than old. From these data, any one can estimate how many hands he will need. Expert, skillful hands are as valuable in this as in any other work, but in the large peach gx'owing districts it is impossible to obtain them. When the planters are bless- ed with a full crop, every available man, woman, and child is in requisition ; and all they can do is to secure, as far as may be, trusty leaders who will have an eye to the in- experienced and careless. When engaged, they arc to hold themselves in readiness to come on the first call. The fruit must be mature, but not ripe, when picked. If picked too soon, it will shrink by the time it gets to market ; tlie color will not be good ; the flavor will be worse ; and a poor price will be had. If picked too late, picKixr,. 105 the fruit will bruise in cartage ; the bruises will blacken ; some will rot, and the price will be no better than for the former. The greatest care is, then, necessary in deciding the exact time it should be picked. The expert will have little difficulty, as a glance of the eye, in most cases, will enable him to tell ; but the novice will often be puzzled, and will often make mistakes. Besides the size and color, the best test of maturity is the feel of the peach. In order to decide in a doubtful case, the picker should take the peach between his thumb and first and second fingers, and press it ; if it yields to the pressure, it is mature and may be picked. If it does not, it is yet too green; while if the peach is indented by the pressure it is already ripe, and cannot be safely shipped to a remote distance. This is the simplest and most reliable ' test we know. Indeed we regard it as infallible; and fruit picked just when it be- gins to yield to the pressure may be shii^ped five or six hundred miles by express without danger. In most varie- ties, we may add, there is a peculiar transparency of the skin at maturity that enables the expert to say without hesitation that the fruit should be picked and he will very seldom need anything more to direct him. On the morning that the picking commences, the hands assemble at a designated jjlace in the orchard ; and are form- ed into gangs of five, ten, or more ; and have certain rows allotted them. In forming gangs, care is taken that each has its proper proportion of skill, experience, and strength ; for it would be very injudicious to put all the good hands in one, and all the poor ones in another. Each gang is placed in charge of a leader, and each hand is furnished with one basket or more, and the picking begins. The light i^ickers mount the trees, the tall ones stand around the tops of the bending limbs, while the ladders are used to reach the fruit that cannot be gathered without them. It is a busy time, and nimble fingers make many ups and downs in securing the bright blushing fruit. Only such as 5* lOG PEACH CULTURE. is sound aud mature is pulled, and all under size, defec- tive, or spotted, is rejected. Hundreds of baskets, far sweeter, more wholesome, and prettier than the prema- tures, are sufiered to rot under the trees, or fed to the hogs. When the baskets are full, they are kept under the trees, to be gathered up by men with wagons or carts.*- Many planters send tlieni immediately to the shipping depot, to be put aboard the boat or car that is to carry them to the market. But this is not the best way. A better plan, and the one adojjted by experienced shippers, is to have careful, skillful, and experienced men in suffici- ent force to overhaul, and assort, and grade every basket. Where this is done, the cullers are provided in the orchard with stands made of loose boards laid across benches of the proper height. To these stands the pickers bring their baskets as soon as picked. The cullers examine every peach. If it is large and without fault, it is placed in one basket ; if sound and of mediiim size, in a second ; if sound but small, in a third ; and if too ripe, spotted, or otherwise defective, in a fourth. Others prefer doing this at the shipping point. Three grades of marketable fruit are thus prepared, and it is found by observa- tion and experience that it sells for much more than the same would do, if unassorted. Indeed, if two baskets of mixed fruit were sent to market with two others of pre- cisely similar quantity and quality, but well assorted, the probability is that the prime basket of the latter class woiild sell for as much money as both of the first. So much has appearance to do with the price. In this place we siiggest and recommend to planters who expect to shij) j)eaches annually, to paint their baskets of three different colors, to receive fruit of as many grades ; and always to put the same grade in the same color. In this way your consignees will be able to tell at a glance, what PICKING. 107 quality of peaches you have. But tlie same end may be attained by a proper discrimination in the manifest. FACING. Facinor is an art. It consists in rounding up handsome- ly the top of the basket. For this jmrpose, a few of the largest, and highest colored peaches are laid aside in fill- ing it, and carefully placed on the top, to give a fine ap- pearance. It is the planter^s art of displaying his goods. It is somethnes abused by the knavish, who put very in- ferior fruit in the bottom, and sometimes even of other varieties, and tlien " top ofl:'" with the very finest, in order to deceive the purchaser. But this is never done by the honest planter, but usually by middle men, who engage in shipjHug only for a season, and who have no sense of right and wrong, and no character to lose. The former simply does it to make a favorable impression, and al- ways, tacitly at least, warrants his fruit to be substan- tially the same throughout. During the picking season, the trees, as a rule, should be picked once a day at least ; some planters pick their orchards even twice a day, so rapidly does the fruit ma- ture in favorable weather, and sometimes every other day may suffice. WAGONS. The peach business has originated a Peach W<(gon. This is used by large growers, and especially where the fruit has to be carried several miles to a shipping point. The genuine, full-sized peach wagon, will carry one hun- dred and fifty-six bnskcts, and is drawn by lour draught horses. It is in all respects a substantial carriage. The Avheels are heavy with a broad tread. The springs are strong, but very elastic. It is provided with a strong, light, flaring, frame bed, arranged with tiers of shelves or racks for the baskets. Baskets should never be allowed 108 PEACH CULTURE. to stand on each other, as that would compi'css the fruit, and injure its appearance at least, if not its quality. The wagon is coupled long. The first tier will contain three rows of twelve baskets eacli ; the second and third five ro^vs each of the same number ; in all one hundred and fifty-six. These wagons jam the fruit very little, and as they carry such enormous loads, are almost indispensable to large grow- ers. They cannot be taken into orchards, except where wide avcniies have been purposely left for them. In other cases, they are brought to the entrance, and filled from Dearborns, as ships are at anchor from lighters from the shore. CHAPTER XXI. RETURNS. To the planter, Avho cultivates for profit, the returns are the most interesting part of the business. These are accounts of sales rendered by the consignees, which are either daily or weekly as may be agreed upon. When the quantity daily shij^ped is large, the shipper usually requires daily accounts of sales ; if small, weekly. These show the number of baskets received and sold ; if graded, so many of each grade ; and the price received. From these accounts, the shipper sees at a glance the con- dition of his business, and, if not satisfactory, can take steps to advance his interest, by shipping to another market, to another consignee, and so on. He is also in- formed by letter or telegram of the condition in which his fruit arrived; the precise time when it arrived ; and, if either has been fiiulty, he is thus advised how to cor- rect it. Letters are the usual medium of communication between shippers and consignees ; but the telegraph is BETUKNS. 109 often brought into requisition, especially in the height of the season. Once a M^eek, at least, the shipper receives an account of the week's sales, and a check for the net proceeds. This latter is more sjDecifically a return^ although the word is applied indiscriminately to accounts and returns. This account shows the daily receipts and sales for the week ; the price obtained ; and the aggregate amount. From it are deducted all charges, except freights, which are sometimes paid by the shipper at home. The balance is struck, and the check corresponds Avith this amount. Xeglect to render these returns promptly is very annoy- ing to planters and shippers, and very injurious to the interests of consignees, as it produces discontent, destroys confidence, and ultimately ruins business. "EMPTIES. " " EsiPTiES " are the baskets and crates after the fruit is sold. We might almost as well restrict ourselves to baskets alone, for in point of fact the crates never come back. The return of " Empties " is a part of the business in great and general confusion, and needs immediate and radical reform. It is managed somewhat in this way : When the fruit is sold to reshippers, as much of it is, they furnish their own packages, into which it is placed from the original baskets. These empty baskets are noAV gathered up by the person charged Avith that special duty. They are set one in another. If he is competent and faith- ful, he will put every man's baskets in a separate bundle. Each bundle will contain, as near as may be, twenty-five baskets. These are tied tightly together by a strong cord, passed from one end of the bundle to the other. A card, with the owner's name and address, distinctly mark- ed thereon, is then tied on the top basket ; but should the card be omitted or torn off, the baskets ought to go 110 PEACH CULTURE. safely, as each basket has either the shipper's name in full, distinctly marked in large letters, or his initials, with his address. When thus prepared, they are placed in the cars which brought them, and returned free of charge to the owner. ITnder the present system this is the way, professedly, in which the business is managed ; but, the actual management, in most cases, is much worse. If the employe is careless, he mixes people's baskets, and the man whose name is on the card gets all, or has to assort them at the shipping point, and throw out what are not his, and the others hardly ever all get safely home. Some- times, they are so badly mixed that even baskets belong- ing to shippers living at different parts are tied together, and thrown out at the first station at which any one of them resides. All this is attributable to incompetency or carelessness, and mostly the latter. But there are other delinquencies more reprehensible still. Where the con- signee has a stand in market, much of the fruit is taken there to be sold to his customers at retail, and the prac- tice pl-evails to lend the purchaser the basket to take home his fruit. He often forgets or neglects to return it, and the delay or loss falls on the shipper, when it should fall on the consignee. Sometimes the consignee gets paid, but the consignor seldom. Again, sometimes the consignee sells the basket with the fruit, and pockets the price, trusting to the well-known looseness with which this part of the business is managed for exemption from all charges either pecuniary or moral. The subject, however, is one that has lately elicited much interest and inquiry among growers, and these abuses are likely soon to be reformed. Shippers now in- sist that baskets shall be returned or paid for ; and con- signees of reputation, and who expect to remain in the business permanently, are acquiescing in the demand, and contracting accordingly. Growers also insist on prompti- tude in returning empties. Heretofore, it was thought that MARKETS. Ill if they were returned any time during the season, or even after the season is over, it was sufficient. But this is no longer satisfactory to planters, "svlio very justly complain, and say, that the use of the basket, of which this delay de- prives them, is nearly as valuable as the basket itself; that baskets coming home at the end of the crop are not worth half what they were at the beginning; and, moreover, are bleached and unattractive. If a basket sufficiently strong to carry safely, and costing only a few cents, could be made so that it might go with the fruit, a Avant would be supplied which has long been felt. In this case the purchaser would always have something to put his fruit in at a very small cost, which he would willingly incur for the convenience ; while a fruitful cause of vexa- tion and loss to the planter would be removed. CHAPTER XXII. :M A R K E T S . New York city is the peach emporium of the East, and hither are sent four-fifths of the peaches raised on the Delaware Peninsula, and perhaps nine-tenths of all raised in New Jersey. A very large j^roportion of this is con- sumed in the city. The remainder is reshipped to Boston, Albany, Montreal, and other northern cities. Next to New York, stands Philadelphia. Her market is principally supplied from two sources. First, from peach growers residing near who, from acquaintance and force of habit, prefer to send their fruit there, rather than to a more remote market even if prices are higher. Sec- ondly, from growers on the waters of the Chesapeake, who can ship in boats to Philadelphia, but not so conven- 112 PEACH CULTUKE. iently to New York. Tliese could reship in cars, but it would be attended with additional expense and delay, which the higher price might not always justify. Although the Philadelphia market is somewhat limited, yet it often happens, that the shipments made thither give as satisfactory returns as those to New York. Beyond these two cities very few peaches are shipped from the great j)cach growing centers. But as the pro- duction is rapidly increasing, and the cultivation extend- ing, much interest has been elicited, and planters are en- quiring whether they may not do better by seeking out more remote markets, and shipping direct! y to them, instead of allowing their fruit to flill into the hands of the middle men in New York ; and before another peach crop comes in, we would not be surprised if arrangements of this kind were made. Until this be done our planters will still rely on the two great cities of New York and Philadelphia. CHAPTER XXIIL PROFIT . The profit of peach culture, either comjDaratively or ab- solutely, can only be approximated, and that in a general way. When we see a man, engaged in any business, ac- quiring more pr623erty, improving what he has, and sur- rounding himself with the luxuries and elegancies of life, we certainly conclude that the business is profitable, and that he tmderstands how to manage it. When Ave see another engaged in the same business working hard, going in debt, selling, it may be, a portion of his patrimony to relieve his present embarrassment, we conclude as certain- ly that his business is unprofitable or he does not under- stand it. So it is in peach culture. Whoever understands it and attends to it well, does well. We know no excep- PROFIT. 113 tions. But whoever plants an orchard, and lets the cat- tle destroy it, or the weeds overrun it, or the borer girdle it, or the poverty of his land starve it, must not be surprised if he fails to make a fortune. He must not ex- pect miracles. "We have had some experience and more observation, and we are decidedly of opinion that no field crop will pay better than peaches ; but they will not pay as well as gardening and trucking where there is a convenient market. Take, as an illustration, an orchard of ten acres, one thousand trees, when the trees are four years old. The first cost of the trees and planting we estimate, and it is very nearly the truth, at - $150,00 Interest for four years - - 36.00 Total expense till it comes in - $180.00 The product of the soil in corn, potatoes, etc., will cqnal the tillage of the trees, so that when they come in, the orchard will be in debt - - - $186.00 We estimate the first crop of peaches at one thou- sand baskets, more or less, which are worth to the planter, on the tree, forty cents, - - 8400.00 This pays the old debt and interest, and leaves $214.00 The second year there may be only two hun- dred baskets ; but owing to a scanty ciop, the price is doubled and the planter gets eighty cents a basket on the trees, - - - $160.00 The third season, a full crop, three thousand baskets, worth forty cents, - - - $1,200.00 The fourth year is a total failure - - Four years then give a net income of $1,574.00 Which is equal to an annual rent of - $393.50 Or an annual rent per acre of - - $39.35 114 PEACH CULTUKE. These estimates are made on the basis of good land and good tillage. In the absence of either or both, the profits will be much reduced ; while by extra culture, skill, and care in gathering the fruit at the proper time, and send- ing it to the best market, they may be increased, but in the present state of cultivation and markets, they are above the average. Hence it follows, that land which will yield forty dol- lars an acvc, per annum, should not be j^lanted in peaches. CHAPTER XXIV. CULTURE AFTER A CROP. The culture after a crop should be prompt, careful and generous. A first class orchard of a hundred acres may have netted its owner ten thousand dollars in a single sea- son. But say it is only six thousand, or even five, and he can still aiford to return to the soil that has been so productive a considerable jDortion of this, and have a handsome sum left. The liberal and intelligent planter will do so cheerfully, and thus not only improve greatly the appearance of his trees, but also do much towards in- suring a crop the next year; while the niggardly and short-sighted, will pocket all the present gains and leave his trees to take care of themselves or starve. Good cul- ture Avill pay as well with peaches as any thing else ; and the old proverb : " Always taking out of the meal tub, and never putting any thing in, you will soon come to the bottom," is as applicable to them as to the family flour- chest. As soon as the last peach is gathered, the hogs should be turned in to eat up the refuse. Two purposes will be CULTUnE AFTER A CKOP. 115 effected by this. The hogs M-ill fatten on the decayed and imperfect fruit, and multitudes of embryo insects Avill be destroyed. Besides they will root about the trees, and do almost as much good as a plowing. If there are no hogs at hand, the refuse should be gathered up and re- moved ; but this is seldom done ; and the more common way is to leave all on the ground, and run the risk. The next thing is, to remove carefully all feeble, dead, and broken limbs. This should quickly follow the peach harvest. The feeble limbs are such as are near the ground, on lower branches, and have been so far deprived of the sap by the upper and more vigorous ones as to become unfruitful. They would soon die at any rate, and it is better to remove them at once, and thus give more room, as well as more sap to the thrifty and fruit-bearing ones. After a bountiful crop, many broken limbs will be found ; sometimes even the whole tree will be demolished, and apparently ruined. By careful and judicious pruning, however, much may be done to repair the injury and re- store the tree to its former beauty and productiveness. In a healthy tree, the vital forces of the roots are in exact proj^ortion to the superficial drafts of the top. When the top is partially removed, the demand on the root is just so far diminished. There is then a superabundance of vital power, continually seeking a channel in an effort to restore the proper equilibrium. In consequence of this, the remaining branches are stimulated to extraordinary growth, and new buds shoot, and new branches are form- ed. If the whole top has been removed, the disparity be- tween the root and the stem is so great that the latter puts out buds in all directions, and soon becomes one mass of twigs and leaves. In this way shade trees are often trained, their foliage thickened, and their appearance improved. By attention to this principle in arboriculture, the injured fruit- tree may soon be almost restored to its original beauty and usefulness. We have seen this illustrated at least 116 PEACH CULTUEE. twice in our own experience. The first case was that of a beautiful young Bellflower apple tree, the one-half of which broke clown under an enormous load of fruit the third year after coming in. It grew near a high board fence, and so equally was it divided into two branches, ■ that had it not been for the fence, we believe both would have parted, and fallen in ojiposite directions. As it was, only one could fall, but in doing so, it split the stem down to within less than two feet of the ground. So great was the injury that we seriously thought of digging it up altogether, and planting another in its stead ; but we did not. Although broken down, it did not separate from the main stem, and the fruit matured well. When it was gathered, we removed the f dlen branch neatly ; cut away a few of the lower limbs on the opposite side, shortencd-in a few others, and awaited the result. The next spring, young branches began to shoot on the injured side ; they grew very rapidly, filled up the vacancy, new wood cov- ered the wound, so that at the end of two years, no one, unaware of the accident, would have suspected that the now beautiful tree had ever sustained injury. The other, was that of some natural j^each trees in full bearing that we wished to transform into choice varieties of budded fruit. For this purpose we cut off the entire tops just above the spread, and budded on the young Avood the next fill. Two years after, the tops were as large, and much handsomer than when removed. The planter must not conclude that because his tree is broken down it is, therefore, destroyed. By proper atten- tion it may soon be restored ; and when we reflect that two large crops scarcely ever follow each other ia succes- sion, we Avill see that the loss is really but trivial. As soon as the pruning is over, the trash is cleanly gathered up and hauled away to some vacant spot to be burned. After this the root of every tree is carefully examined CULTURE AFTER A CROP. 117 for the borers, and every one unrelentingly destroyed. The ground is then nicely plowed, and cultivated down, as heretofore described. This should all be done by the first of October. But sometimes the ripening of late fruit retards the plowing. In such case, the pruning and plowing, may properly be deferred; but the worming never can. This must not be neglected if you value fine trees, and wish to preserve them. In a well attended orchard, the labor will be very light ; for, owing to the vigilance of the planter, few worms will ever obtain a lodgment in his trees. After the examination of each tree, the soil is carefully replaced, so that the tender nech of the stem is not exposed. After the fall jjlowing, some planters give their peach orchard a top-dressing of lime ; others, later in the season, of barn-yard manure ; others, again, one of wood-ashes or superphosphate about the roots. These are all excellent ; and, where it can be done, should not be omitted. But all are more or less expensive, and planters, for the most part, rely on tillage alone, and some even stint that. We believe that any orchard that is worth keeping at all is worth good culture, and that it is true economy to apply lime, phosphate, and manure to tlie extent of the i-easona- ble requirements of the orchard and the planter's ability. Whatever dressing the orchard gets, it should be in the fall. Tiie reason of this is, that the fertilizers will dissolve, soak in, and reach the roots daring the winter, and in time to stimulate and strengtlien the next year's growth ; and, if the other conditions be favorable, greatly tend to the production of a crop. Later in the season, especially if the ground is weedy or grassy, the orchard must be cultivated. In ordinary cases, once will do, but sometimes it may require two dressings. The weeds, or grass, must not be permitted to grow, but the ground should be kept clear and smooth as a floor. There is usually a narrow strip, between the 118 PEACH CULTURE. trees in the same row, not caught by the plow; this must be leveled with the cultivator or hoe. We need scarcely say to the tasteful planter, that the head rows and corners should be kept scrupulously clean. Tlie culture the next spring is as desciibed for young orchards. CHAPTER XXV. USES. As a dessert the peach is a universal favorite, and in its season has no rival. It is the Queen of Delicacies. It ripens in perfection only in the glow of a midsummer's sun ; and the hotter the Aveather, the more delicious are its rich cooling juices. It is eminently suited to the season. When the weather is so hot that even eating is a labor, the peach is acceptable, for it melts in the mouth without exertion. It is perfectly healthy, and even me- dicinal. W^e have known it to effect a complete and al- most immediate cure in dysentery and diarrhoea. It may be eaten at meals, which is perhaps the best time, or between meals ; raw or cooked ; in sauce or pies ; marmalade or pre- serves ; with cream and sugar, or without — almost anyway — but never green or decayed. As it is most delicious and healthy when ripe and sound, so it is most unpalatable and pernicious when green or decayed. Eating when ripe is the best, as well as the most agree- able way of using ])caches ; and Ave suppose nine-tenths of all that are raised are eaten up in their season. But vast quantities are also canned, and numerous establishments turn out, respectively, several hundred thousand cans every season. These are shipped to all parts USES. 119 of the world ; and many tastes are gratified with the canned fruit that never knew, and never will know, the delight of a ripe, uncooked peach. Some are preserved for domestic use, and are consider- ed amongst the yerj best of conserves. Some are dried, and when stewed, make a delicious sauce in the winter. They also make good tarts and pies. For this purpose the natural fi-uit is best, as the flavor is liigher and more exquisite. In large orchards, it often happens that a few trees of natural fruit may be found ; and, as it is altogether unmarketable, it is dried in order to prevent its becoming a total loss. The planter usually gives the fruit to poor women to be dried on shares, which affords them an opportunity of providing a delica- cy for their own families during the season when fruit can- not be obtained, and at the same time benefits himself. Some seasons, when there is an overabundance, and when inferior fruit Avill not sell for enough to pay expenses, large quantities are distilled into peach-hrandyj ; and when the work is performed with skill and care, a very good brandy is made from the peach. But, in case there is no distillery at hand, the refuse peaches are then thrown to the hogs. And some even prefer to give them to the hogs in the first instance, rather than to make brandy, and then hogs by the brandy I The leaves of the peach, bruised and distilled, yield a liquor used for flavoring cookery. When steeped in spirits they impart that peculiar flavor, called noyeau. Four jjounds of j^each blossoms distilled in a water bath, will yield twelve ounces of a whitish liquor, sweet to the taste, and agreeable to the smell, much re- sembling bruised peach kernels. This liquor is a strong perfume, and a ^ew drops will very agreeably scent a large quantity of any other liquor or substance with which it commingles. The buds yield the same liquor, but not of so delicate a flavor. 120 PEACH CULTURE. CHAPTER XXVI. INSECTS AND DISEASES. But little is yet settled in regard to diseases of the peach. Is it really subject to any inherent disease, or are its maladies accidental ; tliat is, superinduced by ex- traneous causes? We incline to the latter opinion. Most of them we know are ; and we are not certain that any are not. The Yellows is the only known one of which we doubt ; and about it very little is known either as to origin or treatment. It is generally regarded as incurable, and eradication is the only remedy recom- mended. Cultivators should observe closely, experiment extensively, and report fully. In this way more reliable data will be obtained, and, it is hoped, a remedy dis- covered. THE BORER. The Borer (^^^e/'i'a exltiosa), is the most common, as it is the most troublesome enemy of the peach on the Peninsu- la; and yet, if looked after in time, it is very easily subdued, and need in no wise seriously interfere with cultivation. But, if allowed to intrench itself in our orchards, it will not only require time and labor to rout it, but even this will only be effected by constant vigilance and with con- siderable loss. Hence, the planter should never permit it to obtain a footing in his young orchard, but upon its first appearance destroy it utterly. To exclude the borer, he has only to carefully examine his trees every spring and fall, and wherever he finds one, destroy it. If this rule is strictly followed, his labor will be very light, and his trees will never be permanently injured. But if he neglects this, as is so often the case, until the borer is INSECTS AND DISEASES. 121 Fig. 17.— BORER. MALE. established in the tree, tlie labor of extermination will not only be increased ten-fold, but he will suiFer the pain of seeing some of liis handsomest trees enfeebled ; and, if the most prompt and vigorous measures are not adopted, they will die. The Borer is, when fully developed, a slender, dark- blue, four- winged, wasp-sliaped insect. Figure IT gives the male, and fig. 18 the female perfect in- sect. It does not enter the tree in this shape, but about the middle of June commences to deposit its eggs on the tender bark of the tree, at the surface of the ground, and, occasionally, through- out the summer, sometimes even as late as October. These eggs hatch, as the season advances, into small white grubs or borers, about one inch long when fully grown, and an eighth of an inch in diameter. These peneti-ate the bark, and burrow in- to the sap wood, where they re- main all wintei'. In the spring, or early summer, they emerge in their Fig. 18.— BORER.— FEMALE, perfcct, wlugcd form, and soon commence depositing eggs for another generation. Dui-ing their stay in the tree, they devour voraciously the bark and sap wood, and one or two are sufficient to destroy a young tree in a single season, and four or five, an old one. Their inroads are very insidious, and some- times the first notice the planter has of their presence is the blighting of his tree, which soon withers and dies. The work being done in the dark, under the bark, and the gum piled around the neck of the tree, the insect is com- pletely concealed, and the injury unsuspected until, like an exploded mine, the bleached and withered leaves give unmistakable evidence of its fatal presence. But a little experience will soon enable any one to detect the borer. 6 122 PEACH CULTURE, The most certain and obvious sisrn is the srum at the neck of the tree. Whenever this appears, you may certainly conclude the borer is entrenched. But sometimes very little gum, if any, indeed, may be there, and still this treacherous enemy may be destroying the very vitals of ■ your beautiful and productive tree. But, generally, there will be a disturbed, raised, or loose appearance of the ground immediately around the neck of the tree. When this is the case, inspect carefully. On the other hand, if the surface of the ground is flat, close, compact and hard at the neck, you may almost certainly conclude that no borer is there. One accustomed to examine for, and de- stroy these grubs, can tell at a glance whether or not the borer is present. Several remedies have been prescribed for the borer ; but the best yet discovered, where the insect has penetrated to the wood, is A Hoe, a Bill-hooked Knife, and a Punch. — The first to scrape away the earth from the root ; the second to cut away the gum and decayed bark and wood ; and the last to kill the borer. The knife should be large, strong and sharp. Either a pruning or butclier knife does very well. The punch may be of hard, seasoned wood or heavy wire; but a whalebone one is the best, because it is pliable and elastic, and may be thrust into a curving cavity, when a straight one could not, and thus reach the borer without cutting away the wood. Hut the horer must be destroyed at all events. There must be no truce, no mercy, if you wish to save your tree. If you leave even one, it will probably be the death of your tree, for it will eat, and eat away, until it has destroyed it. The greatest care should be taken to remove cdl. Sometimes quite a num- ber will be found in one tree. Five and six are not at all unfrequcnt ; and even more will sometimes be found. In removing the borer, the operator should be careful not to bruise or cut away any of the sound bark or wood, as it will all be little enough for the renovation IXSECTS AND DISEASES. 123 of the tree ; but all tho dead and diseased wood and bark should be carefully removed, so that the new growth may- cover over the old wound as soon as possible. After the operation, the soil should be drawn up to the neck of the tree again, in order to prevent the sun and dry winds from cracking the bark in the summer, or the severe frosts from chilling it in the winter. BoiLixG "Water is recommended by some as a very safe, simple and eifectual remedy. We have never tried it ourselves, and cannot speak from experience ; but we have no doubt of its beneficial efiects when judiciously applied. But whether it is as good as the one we have just described, and, if as good, as cheap, we do not know. It is applied in various ways, the simplest of which is to pour it all around the neck of the tree afiected, so that it may flow into, and fill up, every hole, thus destroying the borer in its retreat. Our doubt of the complete success of this method arises in the fear we have that the borer will not be reached by the scalding flood, and, conse- quently, often escape. It often, on entering a tree, ascends, and its course is shielded, as well as concealed, by the bark. Now, how is the water to reach it here ? Will it not be shed by this panoply, and the insect remain secure in his double-walled fortress ? Another cultivator applies the water in this way : " Take a piece of half-inch lead pipe, say three feet long ; bend one end to nearly a right angle, and fit the same to the borer's hole, the main length of the pipe standing perpendicularly ; place a funnel in the top, and fill the pipe with boiling water ; the borer will soon be dead, while the tenderest tree will not be injured by the process." This is a very complete, effectual, and highly artistic jfiethod, but we fear the time consumed in fitting the pipe to the hole, and the funnel to the pipe, with the trouble of finding the hole, and waste of water, would be dis- 124 PEACH CULTURE. couragingly tedious to a planter who had ten thousand trees to examine in a few days. Waste Water from Salt-works has also been men- tioned with favor by some. We have never used it, or seen it used, but we feel safe in recommending its trial in moderation, when at hand ; care ought to be exercised in its application, especially to young trees, as these acrid, mineral liquids often prove injurious, and sometimes fatal, to vegetable life. With this caution, let it be tried whenever it will be economy to use it. The difficulty in the application of all liquids is to reach the borer. It is often so deeply burrowed in the wood of the tree as scarcely to be found, even with knife and punch, and is perfectly secure against water, except it be a deluge. Oil, diffused ik" avater, and applied with a syringe, has been recommended as a protection against all noxious insects, the borer among the rest. It is affirmed that a single drop of sweet oil, applied to the back of a wasp or hornet, produces almost instant death ; and that a very small quantity is sufficient, when diluted, to destroy inyr- iads of insects. It is said it closes up the breathing-pores, and the insect dies for want of air. However destruc- tive it may be to wasps and hornets, we can not, with- out further trial, conclude that it Avill be equally so to the borer, whose habits of life are so entirely diffisrent. The one delights in sunshine, moves on wings, and lives in air, while the other burrows into the solid Avood, whei-e light never penetrates, and seals himself up hermetically with impervious gum. Still, the smell of the oil, espe- cially of coal oil, may be useful in keeping off the fly or moth, if applied at the season it deposits its eggs. Sheathing the tree avith paper, straav, or cloth, anything that Avill prevent the embryo worm from ob- taining a lodgment in the bark of the tree, has been tried Avith success; and, if attended to in the proper time. INSECTS AND DISEASES. 125 about the middle of June, and kept on until the danger is past, about the middle of October, will prove a complete preventive. But if the borer had already obtained a lodg- ment, or the eggs had been deposited before the tree was bandaged, or the bandage was not impervious, it will prove no protection, or, an insufficient one. If paper be used, it should be wrapped once and a half, or twice, around the tree, so as to leave no place of in- gress for the insect, and should extend two inches below, and six above the ground, and be securely tied to keep it in its place. It may be secured at the lower end by sim- ply scraping away the dirt the required depth, wrapping the paper around, and then drawing the dirt back, and pressing it down firmly. The method of applying straw, cloth, or other material, is the same. Akin to this remedy is that of scraping w^ piles of dirt around the tree^ in early summer, and leaving them until fall. This is on the same principle, and answers the same end if well done, and constantly maintained ; but they must not be permitted to wear away by summer showers. Lime or Avood-ashes are better than dirt for this purpose, as neither is so liable to abrasion, and both are excellent fertilizers. THE CURCULIO. This most destructive and dreaded of all enemies of fruit has never yet troubled our peaches on the Peninsula, and consequently we have no practical experience or ob- servation in regard to it. We are thankful for our ex- emption ; and ignorance, in this instance, at least, is undoubtedly bliss. But in Ohio, and probably elsewhere in the West, it has become very troublesome and injuri- ous. The Curculio, Plum- Weevil {Rhynchoenus Nenu- phar')^ is a small, dark-brown, winged beetle, with white, yellow and black spots. It is quite small, never exceed- 126 PEACH CULTURE. ing a quarter of an inch in length, and often not so long. It has two humps on its back, and is provided with a rela- tively long throat and bill, which falls between its fore- legs when in repose. In fig. 19 we give a much magnified drawing of the curculio attacking a plum. When in a tree, a sudden jar will cause it to fall down as if dead, rolled up ball-like. Some suppose that it hardly ever leaves the tree i^j^on which it first finds itself; and this opinion is, in part, sustained by the method of its reproduction, the larvm being carried to, and hatched in the ground tlirough the medium of the spoiled fruit. Others, on the contrary, contend that it is migratory, and travels over a large space — an entire orchard, at least, or even many or- chards. This view is strengthened by the fact that it is furnished with wings, which seem natu- rally to indicate both Fig. 19.— CURCULIO UPON A PLUM. dispositlou and ability to fly. Its character and habits are not yet fully known. Enough, however, has already been learned to make it the bane and terror of all fruit growers. Closer observa- tion and experience, it is hoped, may yet discover an eflicient protection against its ravages. None such has yet been found. As soon as the fruit begins to set, and for weeks after- wards, this pestiferous beetle commences its work of ruin by making a minute puncture in the young fruit. In this the ^^^ of the grub is deposited. It grows with the fruit until it becomes so large as to destroy the vitality INSECTS AND DISEASES. 127 of the latter, which drops from the stem, and the larva finds its way into the soil, midergoes another transforma- tion, and reap2)ears the next spring as the little winged beetle above described. Tliis is the usual process and re- sult with the plum, its favorite object of attack ; but with the larger and hardier fruits, such as apples, pears, and peaches, the effect is not so fatal. The nature and char- acter of the attack is the same, but owing to the size and vigor of the fruit, they are better able to resist and sur- vive it. The consequence is that they are only spoiled, or partially destroyed. It was once supposed by some that as soon as the fruit was well set, the danger from the curculio was over ; and that if it could be protected for two or three weeks from the time of the fall of the blossom, the fruit would be safe. But a better acquaintance with its habits has shown that it continues its ravages throughout the summer, and nearly, if not quite, to the ripening of the fruit ; and this is especially true with the tenderer sorts, so that nothing short of destruction or banishment to the de- stroyer will save the fruit. The loss to horticulture from this enemy alone can hardly be overestimated. It has almost banished plums from our gardens, and changed hope and expectation into fear and despair. When we think of the rich Golden Drops, the delicious Gages, and the splendid Jeifersona, which this inveterate and malignant foe has snatched al- most from our lips, our disappointment and vexation know no bounds. But should it, with like malignity, invade our peach plantations, we should be driven to desj^air. Formerly, it was supposed that the character of the eoil determined, in a great measure, whether or not the curculio would be troublesome ; and it was supposed that stiff clay lands were a preventive, while light, sandy ones were conducive, to its propagation and increase. Later observations and experience, however, have demonstrated 128 PEACH CULTURE. that the character of the soil has very little, if any, influ- ence on it. Many remedies have been tried and abandoned, and many more are still recommended as worthy of yet fur- ther trial. We are sorry we have none that we can recom- mend with confidence. Such as they are, we state them. If not eifectual, they may still prove useful, in a measure. Let planters observe, note, and experiment. It is a bad disease that has no cure. The end is so valuable and de- sirable, we should never despair of attaining it, 1. Jar the tree, and kill the insect. — This is one of the oldest and most efliective of any proposed, but, at the same time, tedious, expensive, and, on a large scale, almost impracticable. The mode is to saw off one of the lower branches, leaving a stump about half an inch long ; then spread sheets under the tree early every morning, during the season the curculio is troublesome, and, Avitli a wooden mallet, give the stump two or three sharp strokes. The tree is thus suddenly jarred, and the insects, dislodged, fall upon the sheets, and are gathered up and destroyed. Dr. Hall, of Illinois, has a contriv- ance like a large umbrella opened and inserted upon a wheel-barrow. The umbrella or expanded portion has an opening in one side, to admit the triink of the tree. The barrow is ju'opelled in such a manner as to strike against the tree and jar it; the expanded canvas portion being then in a position to catch any insects or injured fruit that may fall. This may do for gardens, but what peach plant- er, with his thousand or ten thousand trees, would think of it. 2. Bandage the trees. — Some use these in the belief that the curculios climb up the stem of the tree, and that the bands arrest their progress, and detain them imtil they can be caught and killed. The bands are made of wool, cotton, or rope, dipped in coal or gas tar, and are INSECTS ATs^D DISEASES. 129 tied around the main stem, just below the branches, and sometimes also around the main branches themselves. The smell of the tar may be as effectual as the bands themselves. 3. A Trap. — We have lieard of a curculio 7>ajt), made in the shape of a bag, and hung in the tree ; but we have neither seen nor heard it described, and are, consequently, unable to speak of its merits. 4. Offejtsive Odors. — It has been discovered that most insects that infest orchards are more or less affected by disagreeable odors ; hence it is proposed to hang up in the branches of trees, during the incursion of the cur- culio, cobs or some other convenient thing, dipped in gas or coal tar, and strung upon a wire, and thus drive them away. This remedy is plausible, and may be very ser- viceable in many instances of insect invasion ; but, so far, there seems to be " no enchantment " against this most pestilential of all the insect tribe. Besides, it is tedious and inconvenient when used on a large scale. 5. Destroy the Fallen Fruit. — As the injured fruit falls to the ground with the grub in it, it is a very effectu- al and convenient way to turn hogs into the orchard to eat it up. This is a remedy without objection, and may at all times be resorted to with safety and economy. If it does not prove entirely successful, it will, doubtless, greatly mitigate the evil. Let no infected fruit remmn in your orchards. 6. Whitewash the ground. — Governed by instinct, it is said the curculio will never dejiosit its eggs where they cannot be hatched — hence, not over water or paved yards, nor whitewashed surfaces. From this hint cultivators have experimented, and it is now affirmed by many that trees overhanging any of these are exempt. In view of this, whitewashing the ground is proposed as an infallible remedy. It is, no doubt, excellent ; for even if it should 6* 130 PEACH CULTURE. fail to drive away the curculio, it will prove an excellent fertilizer for the trees. But if it can be applied without too much expense, we think it may prove valuable as a remedy. The ground should first be plowed, harrowed and rolled, so as to make the surface as smooth and fine as practicable. The finely pulverized lime may then be sown broadcast, just when the trees are shedding their ^ blossoms, or the surface may be whitewashed with it in a liquid state. But we fear the trouble, expense, and lia- bility to be absorbed will deter large planters from trying it. 7. Paving and planting over avater. — These rest on the same princijjle — that instinct teaches the insect that its seed will be destroyed if deposited above them. From whatever cause, it is claimed by some that trees hanging over the edge of a lake, or with paved yards under them, Avill not be visited by the curculio, but this is as emphati- cally denied by others. 8. Lime and Sulphur. — This is a mixture of eighteen double handfuls of sulphur to a barrel of ordinary white- wash, made of unslaked lime. The mixture must be re- duced by water to a consistency capable of being used with a syringe. It should be applied three times a week, for four weeks, commencing Avith the fall of the blossom. As the sediment falls to the bottom, more water may be poured in as the liquid j^art is used, until the Avhole be consumed. We have given these several remedies, and hope they may be found useful, but with only limited confidence in their efticiency or utility. A cheap, convenient, and certain remedy for curculio is a desideratum most earnestly wished for, but a blessing which has not yet been con- ferred. YELLOWS. The Yellows is very little known on the Peninsula ; so little as to have given neither trouble nor uneasiness INSECTS AND DISEASES. 131 SO far. What little we have seen of it, is supposed to have been introduced from New Jersey, where it has been very destructive. In consequence of this, few trees are purchased in Jersey, but reared at home. CAUSE. This, as yet, is a subject of speculation. Various opinions have been expressed, and various theories advanced. We have no sufficient data to enable us to speak unhesitating- ly, but we believe its primary cause is had cultivation. By this we mean that in its cultivation the essential con- ditions of a healthy tree and fine fruit have been overlook- ed or disregarded. This has been through ignorance. Cultivators neither observed nor read. At an early day in this country the Yellows was unknown; and in newly- cleared districts, it is yet unknown, save only where it has been introduced by diseased trees. It has never prevailed or been troublesome, except in places where the peach has been long and extensively cultivated as in New Jersey, and, perhaps, a few other places. From this we may reasonably conclude that the essential condi- tions of a healthy tree and fine fruit are non-existent ; that the supply of tree nourishment is deficient, and the tree be- comes feeble and diseased, and, finally, dies of starvation. It is a case of arhor-consumptlon. It is then constitutional and chronic ; and not only so, but contagious, so far, that it afiects those in its immediate vicinity. It is a well-known fact in agriculture, that by successive crops of one variety of grain, the soil is exhausted of the essential elements for the production of that variety, and that the crops must be changed, or the yield will gradually dwindle down to nothing, or the exhaustive process must be countei-acted by fresh supplies of the aliment consumed. Hence, arises the practice of rotating crops, and also of using concen- trated fertilizers. By the first, we use a difi*erent feeder 132 PEACH CULTURE. to consume a different aliment ; by the latter, we use the same feeder, but introduce a new supply of the same ali- ment. But, as all plants consume a portion of the same aliment, the rotation practice can not be pursued indefinite- ly without losing the highest benefit ; but the soil must be enriched occasionally by fresh supplies of the ingre- dients extracted. So it is in arboriculture ; for while it is true that the leaves and gotten wood do much to supply nourishment for the forest growth, yet it is equally true, that they are not equivalent to the special aliment con- sumed. If the whole forest were leveled at once, and allowed to rot where it fell, it would, probably, be an equivalent, and the soil would then be prepared to ])roduce and sustain another cro]^ of the same variety. But not so, if tlie forest has been cut down, and carried away. Do this, in any instance, and see if the next growth will be the same as that removed. Not at all ; but a totally different variety. If the first was pine, the next will li?!ely be oak, and vice versa. We have seen beautiful illustrations of this in several instances. We will mention one. Some twenty years ago, a forest of white oak, of very heavy growth, was re- moved for the timber. Very soon after, the whole tract was covered with a thick growth of young white pine, while not a single young tree of the former growth could be seen ; and yet it was many miles from the pjne region j^roper, and only a few scattering trees were in the neighborhood. This effort of N'ature to restore the equilibrium furnishes the key to the apparent difficulty. The peach was a profitable cro]?, and planters Avere very loth to change it for anything else, and too avari- cious to return any portion of their profits to the soil that had produced them. The consequence was their orchards became diseased for the want of food, and literally died of starvation. And it is no wonder, no remedy has been dis- covered, because the nature of the disease was never INSECTS AND DISEASES. 133 known. What medicine does a famishing man want, but wholesome food ? But when a whole district is cultivated in peaches until the soil is exhausted, the tree famine be- comes general, and it also becomes almost impossible to supply the necessary food for all ; then nothing better can be done than to cease planting, and let the old and diseased die. It is only adding to, and perpetuating the calamity to bud from the diseased trees. The remedy is to plant no more trees than you can properly till. Do with them as with corn, and for the same reason, and you need not fear the Yellows. If you have good land, and the means of keeping it good, you can plant to the extent of such means. But stop at the limit of your means of fertilization. No good farmer will plant fifty acres of corn, when he has only the hands to till, or the means to fertilize, twenty-five ; no more will the orchardist, peaches. The secret of success is to do no more of anything ^han you can do well. Planters, who have orchards already afflicted, we coun- sel to eradicate the trees at once, and plant no more near them. If a new orchard is to be planted, get healthy trees, and plant them on the other side of the farm — by no means near the old orchai'd. SYMPTOMS. The symptoms of the Telloics are principally two : . 1. Premature Ripening is first in order of time. On their first appearance, a few peaches, and, it may be, very few, will ripen a few days before the proper time. Gen- erally, their color will be bright, and their appearance beautiful, without any symptom of disease that would strike the uninitiated ; but the experienced planter is not deceived. He notes the fatal sign as quickly as the skil- ful physician does the hectic blush on the pale cheek of the fair consumptive, and as soon divines its cause. 134 PEACH CULTURE. The more violent the attack, the more early and numer- ous will be the prematures. If it is slight, only a few Avill be affected, and they will ripen but a few days before the proper time; but if the disease is violent, the whole crop may be injured, and the ripening take place weeks in advance of the season. In the former case, the tree may survive several years, sinking into a gradual decay, the fruit growing smaller, and ripen- ing earlier every successive season ; while in the latter, the decline will be rapid, ending in death the first or second crop after the attack. 2. Abnormal Shoots. — The second and infallible symp- tom of Yellows is the striking out of unnatural shoots from the main branches, and sometimes from the stem of the tree. They are very slender, and often quite long. Usually, they issue from the ixpper side of the branch, and are often quite numerous. They have a sickly look, yet they are tough and elastic. The leaves are very small, slender, and pale. Premature ripening may be caused by accidental injury, or the borer; but these long, slender, sickly looking twigs are infallible symptoms of Yellows, and, from the moment of their appearance, the fate of the tree is sealed. REMEDIES. 1. Pla]st no diseased seed or trees. — We have al- ready cautioned planters against planting seed that is not perfectly healthy. This advice cannot be too emphati- cally expressed. Neither should they plant trees unless they know that they have been propagated from good seed ; and also that the buds have been taken from thrifty, healthy trees. This \% preventive, and is better than cure. 2. Do NOT PLANT IN FOUL GROUND. — We do Dot mean by this, roxigh ground. Peaches may, and will do well in any soil, no matter how rough it may be, provided it con- INSECTS AND DISEASKS. 135 tains the essentinl elements of tree food. But ground is foul — in the sense in which we use the term — when it is poisoned by unhealthy matter, such as injurious or de- structive mineral or vegetable substances, or undue pro- portions of ingredients, innocent enough when properly combined. Hence, exhausted lands should not be planted vmtil they have been restored by proper tillage or fertiliza- tion. And especially should not old peach oi-chards be replanted until they have been cultivated for a period of years in other crops. Clover and lime are excellent re- storatives. Under the head of foid land may be included wet, springy, or miry land, which is altogether unsuited to the peach, but very conducive to disease, 3. Ptjll up the diseased trees. — When the Yellows has once been allowed to make much headway, the best remedy yet discovered is to pull uj) the trees by the roots, and haul them out of the orchard. And this should be done before flowering, as it is supposed by some the disease is spread by the carrying of the pollen from one tree to another while in blossom. 4. Lime and Manure. — If the symptoms are mild in character, and limited in extent, and the planter cannot consent to lose his trees entirely, let him lime and manure them vigorously. Stir the ground thoroughly around the trees, and plow the entire orchard, and keep it in a mellow state. Then, if the trees are full grown, apply from half a bushel to a bushel of lime to a tree. This should be sown uniformly over the surface as far as the roots extend, a,nd not piled around the neck of the tree. If the land has already been well limed, enrich it with muck, manure or ground bones, always striving to add some new ingre- dient to the soil. The ground should be rich and mellow. Additional vigor may also be given the tree by scraping the stem and lower branches with a blunt-edcjed instru- 136 PEACH CULTURE. meut, like a currying-knife, used by tanners in dressing their leather. This Avill remove all old, rough bark, and tend to loosen the principal coat, which is often of great advantage. A still further benefit will accrue by washing the stem and main branches with a strong solution of whale-oil soap, or soap-suds, which are not only good fer- tilizers, but cleanse the tree, and drive away insects. An ordinary whitewash will also be beneficial. Follow this Tip with a little judicious iDruning, and you have done all that seems at present practicable towards preserving, if not curing, your affected trees. In pruning, all >veak and unhealthy, as well as all dead limbs, should be removed. Those left may also be shortened in the operation if you are not quite sure the supply of nourishment from the roots will be quite abundant to vigorously sustain the top. The object of all this treatment is to obtain and maintain a constant and healthy circulation of sap throughout the tree, and thus give such strength and tone to its vital powers as shall be able to resist and repel disease. CHAPTER XXVII. SPECIAL CULTURE. ESPALIER. ' In the peach growing districts proper, nothing but field or garden culture is thought of, and no further directions are necessary ; but for those who are not so highly favored, some specific instructions in sheltered or in-door cultivation may be useful. And we may remark here that several methods have been tried, and have found more or less favor with gardeners. Most of the experiments in in-door SPECIAL CULTURE. 137 culture have been made in England, where, as we have before remarked, the peach is cultivated as an exotic. Bilt in regard to all in-door or protected cultivation, it is well to remember, that slcill is necessary in order to render* it satisfactory or successful ; and, while we woiild not dis- courage amateurs, or say that an intelligent man may not learn the art from books, some practical knowledge, ob- tained by observation or experience, will be found highly beneficial. With this caution, we Avill proceed to give such plain directions as we hope will j^rove useful. We will suppose that the tree is to be trained on a trellis, near a wall. Then obtain at the nursery a thrifty, vigorous tree, of one year's growth from the bud. Cut away, close and smooth, all the limbs one foot upwards from the root ; leave two full, healthy buds, or eyes, on each side, and as nearly opposite each other as practicable ; disbud those shooting at right angles with these, and then cut ofi" the top of the stem about one inch above the uppermost buds. You now have the stock "for the com- ing tree, which is to be trained according to ^°' " ' the fan-shaped, or horizontal, method, as the convenience, taste, or fancy of the proprietor may dictate, and it will present the appearance of figure 20. This stock is now planted in the border, at the proper distance from the wall. If it is to be in the open air, on the south side of a wall, this will be about fifteen or eighteen inches ; if under glass, about a foot inside the south side of the peach house. The ground should be well pulverized, and moderately rich. Plant at the same depth as the stock grew in the nursery. Incline the stock very slightly towards the wall, whether in or out doors. The two pair of buds will soon send out shoots, strong and vigorous, as the nourishment from the roots will be abundant, or rather superabundant, for the jireponderance of the stock is now greatly in the roots, and nature will 138 PEACH CULTURE. be constantly striving to restore the equilibrium so re- cently destroyed by cutting off the top. On the preserva- tion of these shoots from injury, and their proper training, much depends the beauty and fruitfulness of the future tree. As soon as they become a foot long, they should be inclined towards the trellis, and it may be proper to tie them to small stakes set for that purpose. When they reach eighteen inches or two feet, they may be tied to the trellis; and care must be taken, subsequently, to tie them up as th'eir length increases, to prevent their being broken off, or taking a crooked shape. These shoots, or branches, must not be allowed to grow either horizontally or verti- cally, but at a proper angle between the two. If drawn out horizontally, they will continually send out lateral shoots from the upper side, in a vertical direction, Avhich Avill have to be rubbed off, or defeat the end entirely. If rubbed off, new ones will be continually taking their places, and the cultivator will find himself engaged in a constant warfare against nature. If not rubbed off, they will soon cover the entire surface, and as effectually frus- trate his design. The first aim is to form a handsome tree, capable of producing the largest practicable amount of good fruit on a given surface. In direct furtherance of this, these four primary branches are to be trained. And the second aim is to so direct, balance, and train them, that each shall contribute its full share towards forming the complete tree. This should never be lost sight of. The natural direction of the main stem is verti- cal, and the natural flow of the sap upward. Hence it is that top buds are best supplied with sap, and uppermost branches draw most strength from the roots. But in this artificial training, this natural tendency must be checked and controlled ; and the first care of the skillful gardener is to so dispose these branches that uniformity of size and strength may be attained. In order to do so, it is plain the lower branches ought to have a more vertical inclina- SPECIAL CULTURE. 139 Fie-. 21.- -GUOWTH DUKING SUMMEU. tioti than the upper ones ; for if each have the same in- clination, the flow of the sap to the upper ones will be much greater than to the lower ones, hence they will grow rapidly, but at the expense of the others, Now, by bend- ing the upper ones down to an angle of about thirty or thirty-five deo-rees, while we allow the lower ones to stand at forty-five or fifty, the de- sired result is attained. The training of the branches should commence as 'soon as they are eighteen or twenty inches long. A young tree, properly started, will present the form given in fig. 21, about the first of July after planting. The upper and lower branches cross each other, and this is likely to be the case while training, but it is not to be the permanent position. When the tree becomes complete, and has acquired a fixed habit, the branches will resume their natural and relative position, as in figure 22. And if, while in training, difference in growth should require it, the inclination will have to be changed by rais- ing or lowering the branches, so as to maintain an equal flow of sap to each, and a con- sequent uniformity of size. All buds showing themselves on the main stem are to be rubbed off as soon as they ap- pear ; and should any of the shoots become forked or deformed, they should be imme- diately pruned so as to correct the fault. In case of a fork, this may be done by cutting off the less of the two prongs ; in case of a ci-ook, bruise, or knot, the best way is to cut off the faulty part just above a thrifty twig, or 23. — END OF FIRST TEAK. 140 PEACH CULTUKE. bud, and train the latter for the main shoot. In the latter case, care must be taken to pinch in the twigs below, and on the opposite side, in order to throw more strength in to the leader. At the end of the season, if all things have been con- ducive, the shoots will have made a uniform growth of well matured wood, of from four to six feet respectively. The next spring this should be cut in about one-half, as shown by the cross-lines in figure 22. It may be done in the fall, and often is, but we do not advise it. The next spring, the second season's training begins by^ leaving one only of the numerous buds which shoot out near the top of the main stem, and rubbing off all the others. This bud will grow rapidly, and soon develop a stout, thrifty shoot. This is to be trained vertically. If its growth be very rapid, it may be checked, as occasion requires, by inclining it towards the horizon ; or it may be shortened-in by pinching off the leading bud. In the former case, care must be taken that it does not acquire too much rigidity in its temporary position, as it is ulti- mately designed for the main stem, and should be both healthy and handsome ; and in the latter, that the pinch- ing in should not be too frequent or severe, lest the latent buds of the next year be forced into premature, develop- ment. In the meantime, the branches already formed must not be neglected. They will send forth numerous lateral, as well as point, buds. Many of the former should be rubbed off, in order that the strength of the sap may be led into those that are needed, and all but one of the latter. This one is to be preserved and trained for an extension of the lateral branches of last year, respect- ively, and is to be managed precisely as the vertical one, above described, is for the extension of the main stem. And all the gardener has to do during the second season is to watch the development of these branches, and ter- minal buds, gradually advancing into shoots, and preserve, SPECIAL CULTUKE. 141 as before, the proper equilibrium of sap flow, and uni- formity of size, by pinching in the buds, or raising or lowering the branches, as occasion may require. At the end of the second year, the tree will present the appear- ance of figure 23. The stem will be quite stout, and the wood of the branches will be solid and mature ; and some, perhaps many, fruit-buds will show themselves. These should be rubbed ofi", excej^t a few on the thriftiest twigs, wliich may be left to fruit. But as the tree is now entering upon a new stage of existence, care must be exercised that it does not overbear ; for if it does, it will probably be greatly stunted in its growth, \^ and its capacity to produce regular crops of fine, rich fruit, greatly impaired, if not wholly destroyed. The quan- tity a tree, three years old, may safely bear, will, in some manner, depend upon its size and vigoi*. A very strong, healthy tree, of large growth, may bear, perhaps, fifty peaches, without injury, while a dozen would be quite enough on one of a small size, or more delicate variety. In any case, the thinning out should be done in the hud, as the development of blossoms and growth of fruit are very exhaustive. With the first flow of sap, the third spring, the tree is to be again pruned ; and tliis is done by cutting down the last season's growth of the main stem to two buds on each side, as at the first ;• and the last year's growth of the lateral branches is to be cut in one-half, as indicated in the cross-lines in figure 23. The tree has now had three years' growth, and still an- other is necessary to complete it ; but the process is sim- ply a repetition of that already described — a continuation END OF SECJOND YEAR. 142 PEACH CULTUEK and extension of what has ah'eady been done. It is proper to add that the lateral branches must be gradually in- clined downward until they reach the position they are intended to occupy, which may be fan-shaped or hori- zontal, — at the option of the proprietor. For ourselves, we prefer the fan-shaped, as being nearer the natural posi- tion, and, therefore, best, (fig. 24). In this elaborate culture, it will be observed that the extension of the main stem, as well as the branches, is by Fis:. 24. — tkaining complete. regular annual stages. It is tedious, and somewhat la- borious, and the inexperienced may ask — Why not let the tree take its natural course, and attain its size as soon as may be ? The reason has been already intimated. It is, that the flow of sap, being constantly upward, would give a preponderating size, strength, and fruitfulness to a few main branches, while all the others would be correspond- ingly reduced, weakened and sterilized ; while the object of the training is to make every part fruitful. And these stages in the growth greatly tend to this, as a moment's SPECIAL CULTURE. 143 consideration will show ; for it will be observed that the first year's growth, both of main stem and branches, is larger than the second, the second than the third, and the third than the fourth. In this way, the parts of the tree which naturally retain less sap are enabled to retain an equal, or nearly equal, quantity, and are thus provided with the vital force necessary to j^roduce a corresponding crop of fruit. In our directions, so far, we have said little or nothing of the twigs, or laterals, on the main branches ; but near- ly as much Avill depend on the treatment of these as of the stem and principal branches themselves. But, when understood, the labor is easy and light. All superfluous buds must be rubbed off as they appear, and the strength be preserved for the fruit-bearing wood. The main stem, particularly, must not be allowed to noui'ish even a single sucker, the branches only enough twigs to bear a full crop. All others must be rubbed off or cut in. In prun- ing these twigs in the summer, and especially when the season is somewhat advanced, care must be taken to leave enough wood and leaves to use the sap, and prevent its starting the fruit-bads of the next season, whereby the crop would be greatly injured or totally destroyed. And here, again, the operator will need to be wary as well as diligent. The pruning of the twigs, which are tlie fruit-bearing wood, is almost identical with that of the vine when trained on the spier system. They are first thinned to the requisite number, the most healthy and vigorous ones be- ing left ; they are then shortened-in to a proper length ; and this will depend much upon the distance between the main branches themselves. The twigs of proxiniate branches may touch each other, but must not overlap. A full grown tree, properly pruned, will pi'esent early in the spring, just before the buds shoot, an appearance some- what like that seen in fig. 24. 144 PEACH CULTUEE. From this figure it is readily seen that all the space is covered with bearing wood, and is renewed from year to year by cutting out old twigs, and supj^lying their places with new ones. To the inexperienced and timid, this is quite a task, but a little practice will soon make it an in- teresting and agreeable labor. The method we have just described is equally well suit- ed to trellis, wall or peach-house culture. In the last case, the branches are fastened to the rafters of the glass roof, or an inside trellis-work attached to them, and should be from eight inches to a foot below the jirlass. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE PEACH -dl O U S E . The peach-house is to the peach what the grapery is to the vine. The object is to protect the tree from external cold, or stimulate it by artificial heat, or both. The style of the building varies according to the taste of the pro- prietor. The simplest are generally the best. For persons who are familiar Avith graperies and green-houses, no de- scription or instruction will be necessary ; but for those Avho have no knowledge of the matter, the following hints may be useful. If it be intended to use artificial heat, in order not only to protect the fruit from killing frosts, but also to stimu- late the trees, and accelerate early ripening, the builder must determine on a jjlan for the whole, and which must harmonize throughout. He will first consider how many trees for which he has to provide space, then, whether or not that space can be properly heated with one furnace; THE PEACII-HOUSE. 145 if not, whether he will incur the expense of two ; and again, whether he will hare two rows or one in his peach- house. An ordinary furnace Avill, with ordinary care, suf- ficiently heat five thousand five hundred cubic feet of air. Now, if a single furnace is to command the entire peach-house, it must not include more than that space. This may take any convenient form. The most common is a longitudinal one. A very convenient peach-house will F12, 35. — PEACH HOUSE. be 50 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 4 feet high on the south side, and 14 on the north, as in fig. 25. The north wall may be of almost any material — brick, stone, or wood. The south side of a stable, barn, or warehouse, may sometimes be appropriated for the back of the peach-house. The south wall is also solid, and may be made of any material suitable for any other kind of building. The ends are usually solid also, but not neces- sarily so ; and in shady places, it is advisable that the west end be of glass, like the roof Remember the di- mensions : Xorth wall, 14 feet high, and 50 feet long ; south wall, 4 feet high, and 50 feet long ; each end 12 feet long, 4 feet high at south end, sloping upwards and 7 146 PEACH CULTURE. backwards until it reaches a height of 14 feet. The roof is supported by rafters running from the low wall on the south to the high one on the north ; and these rafters should be spaced to correspond with the width of the glass used in constructing the roof. A foot or fifteen inches apart will do very well. These rafters are grooved on the upper side, to admit the glass in the same manner as the frames for covering apj^roved hot-beds. The glass reaches from one rafter to another, lies in these grooves, and is secured by putty in the \isual manner. In putting in the glass, the glazier, commencing at the bottom, or low wall, lays one pane, and then another, allowing the lower edge of the second one to overlap the upper edge of the first about half an inch, and so throughout, so as to make a perfect "water shed. When cold air is to be introduced from the floor or ends, the roof may be of one entire piece ; but if from the roof, this is provided for in its construction ; and the best and most convenient method is to have the rafters mortised into a beam, at a suitable distance from the south wall — say four feet — and glaze in the manner de- scribed above, upward from this. The lower section will consist of squares, fastened with hinges in their upper edges on the beam, and lying flat on the south wall. These can be raised or closed, as occasion may require. If the house is to be ventilated at the ends, it can be done by either wooden or glass doors ; but, in any case, care must be taken that they close tight, as otherwise a sudden severe frost may surprise the gardener, and greatly disappoint and mortify the owner. The furnace is properly placed, just outside the end wall, and it is not material which wall. Convenience will usually decide this. The flue may be either close to the north wall, or six feet south of it, as one or two rows of trees are to be planted. It may be under the surface or above it — an arched trench, or stove-pipe, or a combina- THE PEACH-HOUSi:. 147 tion of both, and the last is best ; because, if an arched trench is used without the pipe, there is danger that cracks may occur, and thus let in a stream of smoke and heat upon the trees or fruit ; while, if the pipe only is em- ployed, there is danger of overheating, A pipe, enclosed in a trench, provides against both dangers. The trench and pipe should extend the entire length of the building, and a vertical flue, or cliimney, should occupy precisely the same relative position on the outside of the second wall, that the furnace does on the first. There is, as a rule, very little inconvenience felt from the difference in the heat at the extreme ends of the flue ; but should it be necessary, it can be equalized, in a great measure, in one or other of the two following simple ways : make the casing of the pipe thinner as it recedes from the furnace, or increase the volume of the pipe. By the former method, the heat will be sooner radiated, and by the latter, more radiating surface will be provided, as the distance from the furnace increases. The heat thrown out can also be modified by the depth of the trench as well as the thickness of the casing. A mild, uniform heat should be aimed at. When only one row of trees is to be planted, the flue should pass about one foot inside the north wall, the aim being to have it as far removed from the trees and fruit as practicable. But if two rows, then six feet from the north wall will be as nearly the proper place as may be, the hight of the roof at the north, equalizing the greater horizontal distance from the south. Sometimes the flue is in the center of the house, but the objection to this is that the temperature is never equable. A less serious one is that it obstructs the light. The whole floor of the peach-house, but especially the borders, in which the trees are to be planted, should be of good, friable, productive soil. Not only so, but also the soil outside both the north and south walls, where 148 PEACH CULTUKE. two rows are planted, for a distance of six feet, at least ; for, although the trees are planted inside the walls, they are to draw much of their aliment from the outside. The number of trees in a house, such as we have described, with double rows, will be either twelve or sixteen — six or eight to a row. The lateral branches of a good, thrifty- tree may extend four feet on either side ; and if so, there will be space for only six trees to the row. But some gardeners wUl prefer that the arms be only three feet long. In the latter case, there will be eight trees. It matters very little which number he adopted. Either will do very well, and, by proper training, about the same quantity and quality of fruit may be produced. Tlie trees on the south, or low wall, are trained under the glass roof, at a distance of eight or ten inches from it, and are fiistened to the rafters by small wires, or to an inside trellis fastened to the rafters. The branches, as well as the main stem, may be carried to the middle of the roof, but not beyond it, as the light above that will be wanted for the other roAv. The north, or rear row, is trained against the rear wall, which should always be j^lastered or Avhitewashed, and may be carried to its entire height — fourteen feet. In both cases the training and culture are the same, except that in the south row, the sloping roof compels the trees to incline towards the north, while the trees in the north row take the erect position. It will be readily seen that the peach-house admits both the fan-shaped and horizontal system of training. We have already given what we regard as the j^roper size for a peach-house, but it may be of almost any shape or size ; still, it will be well to remember, that small ones are better forcers, and, if early maturity be an object, are to be preferred — while large ones give more space, and larger crops. If only one row of trees is to be j^lanted, they need not be more than ten or twelve feet wide. THE PEACH-HOUSE. 149 They may bo very 23lain or very ornate, as the taste and means of the proprietor will allow. As they are es- sentially a luxury, good taste will dictate that they be at least neat and pleasant to the eye. When means are at command, they may be made very ornamental and at- tractive. The management of a peach-house, or vinery, is one of the most delicate and important branches of horticulture, and requires constant attention and care. The three es- sentials are — pure air, proper temperature, and cleanliness. These are about as necessary to the life of a tree as to that of a man. The first is at ha^d in inexhaustible quantity, and all the gardener has to do is to open the windows and let it in. But he must take care when he does it, and how he does it, for his charge is almost as tender as the little ones of the nursery, and almost as easily injured by ignorance or carelessness. When the forcing commences, and it may commence as early as January, the temperature may range from fifty to fifty-five degrees, Fahrenheit, in the evenings and mornings. At night it may fall a little below even fifty without detriment. As soon as the buds have burst it may be raised to seventy, and when the flowers appear, four or five degrees higher. From the time the flowers appear until the fruit is set, the air must be kept mildly moist, and this can be done by frequent sprinklings with a syringe, which may also serve to cleanse the leaves and branches. Even after the fruit is set, and somewhat advanced in growth, these sprinklings will be necessary. When the season advances, and the heat reaches seventy- five degrees outside, no artificial heat will be needed, ex- cept in cold evenings, when a little must be introduced to prevent chilling, or in murky weather, to drive away the unhealthy humid atmosphere. Frequent washings with a garden syringe will do much to preserve the freshness and health of the trees, as well 150 PEA.CH CULTURE. as to promote and accelerate the ripening of the fruit. Soap-suds are excellent for this, as they not only keep the trees clean, but afford a safe and very appropriate nourishment. CULTIVATION IN POTS. The peach, like almost every other fruit tree, can be successfully grown in pots or vases. When this is desir- ed, procure a pot about two feet deep, and fifteen inches wide at the greatest diameter, and of the usual shape. It may be larger or smaller as the taste of the amateur inclines him. Fill this with a rich mould, mixed freely with ashes or bone-dust. In this, plant a thrifty young tree from the nursery, which you will cut down to one foot, and the lower branches to the height of six inches, cut off close to the stem, and the remaining buds shortened-in to two buds each, as in fig. 26. This should be done in autumn, and the pot kept in the cellar during winter. The next spring it should be set out early. It will grow very fast and vigorously, and become quite stout and stocky. In the fiill, say about the first of September, north of the foi-tieth parallel, and south of that, the first of October, the season's growth should again be shortened- in to three buds, as shown by the cross-lines in figure 27, and thus prepared for a crop the next year, well attended, and met with nothing to injure or retard it, well developed fruit-buds will be formed, and the next season you will have a crop of beautiful fruit. And if you put it in a conservatory, or cold grapery, you can have Fig. 37.— POT CULTURE. If the tree has been VARIETIES. 151 ripe fruit by the middle of June, oi- even earlier. The ripening of the fruit may also be hastened by simply exposing your tree in some Avarm position early in the spring, carefully removing it to a shelter from cold and frosts at night and on cold days, or, which is still better, in an ordinary garden hot-bed. In pots, is the appropriate method of cultivating Van Buren's Golden Dwarf; but as it is a dwarf naturally^ cutting-in will seldom be necessary. CHAPTER XXIX. VARIETIES. The varieties of tlie Peach, as of many other fruits, are very numerous, and may be almost indefinitely increased by propagation. More than a hundred and fifty have been already catalogued, and this does not include the naturals, which are as numerous and various as the budded ones. But, of all these, only a few, comparatively, are valuable, and worthy of cultivation. Were five-sixths of the whole condemned and rejected, it would be as greatly to private profit as to public advantage. But this desirable result, at present, seems unattainable. The obstacles are two. Young and inexperienced planters generally desire a large variety. They w^ant some of almost every kind, not re- flecting that it costs just as much to rear a poor tree as a good one, while the latter will often pay them two or three times as much as the former. But they have to learn wisdom by experience, and are somewhat excusable. As they grow older, they grow wiser. The other obstacle is in the nurserymen, and the one contributes to the other. The nurserymen know well the 152 PEACH CULT011E. desire there is among novices to multiply varieties, and it is their interest to gratify, if not to stimulate and culti- vate it ; hence they make it a point to keep all the varie- ties they think will be called for ; as Avell to supply every demand, as to be reckoned growers of large and varied stock. Owing to these two causes, reciprocally acting on and aiding each other, myriads of worthless trees are jDlanted every year. There is an auxiliary cause, tending incidentally to the same result, which ought not to be I'emoved, but only re- stricted to proj^er limits. This is the discovery or origi- nating of new ^'arieties. A nurseryman discovers, or thinks he has discovered, a new variety of value. His interest often increases his estimate of its worth. He im- mediately sets about propagating it. Every bud in his ingenious hands becomes a tree, and every tree, a year after, a hundred, and so on, until he has tens of thousands for sale. These must be disposed of at prices yielding a large profit. They are extensively advertised, and as ex- tensively disseminated. They go into all quarters, and are largely j^lanted. And this increase is generally to be multiplied by the number of nurserymen engaged in the business. And, as we have already intimated, if confined to proper limits, it is both legitimate and commendable, because every real improvement is a substantial acquisi- tion and valuable addition to the public weal, and should be encouraged and fostered. But the misfortune is, that these new varieties which have cost so much, often turn |Out to be poor bearers, of inferior quality, or perha^DS en- tirely worthless. In some cases, the fiiult is wholly with the originator who introduced and disseminated them. He may have done so solely for lucre, and totally regard- less of character and honesty ; but this is not generally the case. In most instances, he honestly believes in the value of his prodxiction ; but in this he is mistaken. He has not sufliciently tested it. He has not considered the VARIETIES. 153 now ■well established fact that climate, soil and position greatly affect the value of particular varieties. That what may be exceedingly valuable in one latitude, may be almost worthless in another ; that what may be first-class in a light, sandy soil, may be third-rate in a clayey one ; that what may be a hardy, productive tree in a sheltered yard, may be tender or barren when exposed in an open orchard. To all these tests the new candidate for public favor should be subjected. If it pass them all satisfac- torily, it may, and ought to, be received, and placed upon the list of approved varieties, hut not before, for great injury and loss have resulted from the extensive planting of highly praised, but poorly tested, varieties ; and it is time planters should give this matter their attention. There has been too much laxity in the past ; let there be more care in the fixture. We have alluded, incidentally, to the difference of lati- tude in determining the value of a variety. We now fur- ther remark that it often determines the incidental local value of the same variety. Take, for instance, HaWs Early, which is the earliest variety of which we have any knowledge — certainly the earliest one in general cultiva- tion. Between the extreme limits, north and south, of the peach bearing district in our own country, there is at least two months' difference in the time of its ripening. In Florida, the middle of June; in New York, the middle of August. Now, for the South, you want the earliest variety that can be had, in order to be first in market ; but it does not necessarily follow that you Avant the same variety for the North, and for this reason : Very early and A'cry late varieties, as a rule, are not the best, but, because of the season of their ripening, they com- mand high prices, and iare, therefore, jDrofitable. Take the New York market for an illustration. This market opens about the twenty-fifth of July with Hale's Early ^ but the peaches have been grown on the Delaware Penin- IV* 154 PEACH CULTURE. sula, two hundred miles south of that city, and cannot be matured in the vicinity for a month later. But by that time it is the height of the peach season, and Old Mixon^ Moore's Favorite^ CrawforcP s Early and Late, Reeve's Favorite^ Red Rareripe and Stump the World, the very finest varieties in quality as well as appearance, are on the market, and arriving by scores of thousands daily. ^ Now, it is quite plain that SaWs Early, even from its favorite localities, could not successfully compete with these choice kinds ; and how much less when grown fur- ther north, on less conducive soil, and, consequently, of smaller size, and poorer flavor ? The judicious planter, then, of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Southern New York, if he plant at all for market, will not plant Hale's Early, but, on the contrary, some one or more of the later sorts ; and thus, after the zenith of the season, and after these favorites have almost disappeared from the stands, he will be able to step in, and prolong their season three or four weeks, at very handsome profits. The intelligent planter, on making his selections, will always do so with reference to soil, climate and location, and even plant dif- ferent varieties on the same farm, simply because one field is a light loam, and the other a stifi" clay. After attention to the primary question of soil and cli- mate, the next thing to be considered is the market to be supplied, or the use which is to be made of the fruit. Prejudice or habit often exalts one variety at the expense of another. This may have arisen in whim or accident, and may be continued by ignorance or selfishness. It may be all wrong, but few have the courage or patience to undertake its cure. Hence, if people will give more money for a worse article, they will generally be allowed to do so. Planters will not persist to cure them of their folly, and pay the doctor's bill at the same time, but rather acquiesce in their tastes, and minister to them. Hence, we send one variety of Pear to Boston, another to New VAUIKTIES. 155 York, and keep a third and better one at home. So in peaches. A few years ago, it was thought there was no peach fit to preserve but the Heath Cling, and none fit to can but tlie lohite-fleshed j but now it is admitted that several others may be preserved ; and, for canning, yellow peaclies are ahnost as popular as white. But whatever is most in demand, brings the best price ; and, as the planter plants for j^rofit, that is his ultimate aim, and is not to be overlooked. If there is demand for canning at home, he will do well to ascertain what varieties bring the highest prices at the canning establishments, and whether the demand is sufii- cient to influence or control his planting. If not, or only to a limited extent, he will then consider the requirements of the markets to which his fruit is to be sent, and pro- vide for these. Our directions here can only be of a general character, and must always be considered with reference to what we have already said of climate, soil and local circumstances. One thing we wish to impress upon young planters espe- cially : It is, not to plant too many varieties. In no case should they exceed twenty ; in most, twelve will be enough ; and in some, six will be better than twelve. What these shall be will depend upon the circumstances we have already referred to. The different varieties of the peach are distinguished by their leaves, blossoms and fruit, and sometimes by the branches and general contour of the head. On enter- ing an orchard, the j^racticed eye of the skillful nursery- man or jilanter will be able to distinguish familiar varie- ties at a glance, in the absence of both flowers and foliage. But he may not be able to explain satisfactorily why he can do so ; it is a similar power to the one that enables the shepherd to distinguish the sheep of his flock, although to a stranger they all seem alike. The most striking difference in the leaves of the peach 156 PEACH CULTUEE. Tin 28. — GLOBOSE GLANDS. is the presence or absence of glands. The glands ai'e se- creting cells at the base of the leaf, and forming slight protuberances. Their secretions are often fragrant and agreeable. In some varieties the glands are small, round and regular, (A, A, fig. 28,) and are called, in botanical language, globose j in others they are large, irregular, and kidney- shaped, (A, A, fig. 29,) and are called reni- form. There is still another character- istic distinction in the leaves of the lohite and yellow varieties, and broadly mark- ing the line between them. This is the color, which is nearly as obvious in the leaf as the fruit, and may be observed during the whole period of foliage. In looking over an orchard, the yellow jieach trees can readily be distinguished by the yellow tinge of their leaves ; and the experienced planter can just as certainly tell the one from the other by the leaf as by the fruit. These distinctions will enable the planter to classify varieties, and to refer any variety to its proper class. The blossoms distinguish the jieach into two classes or divisions also. In one, the flowers are large, red at the center, and pale at the margin ; in the other, the flowers are small, with a dark crimson margin. There are a few varieties whose blossoms seem to possess a combination of these characteristics, and are sometimes referred to a third division ; but their distinctive features will hardly justify this addition. To common observers, the fruit affords the most obvi- ous distinction. Indeed, few, except the j^lanter and nurseryman, trouble themselves with anything else. The miiltitude are content to regale themselves with the rich, luscious, melting fruit, without giving a thought to tree, 29. — RENIFOmi GLANDS. VAEIETIES. 157 leaf or flo^vel• ; and perhaps thousands who enjoy this ele- gant luxury every summer can hardly tell whether the peach ti'ee is deciduous or evergreen, or even a tree at all ! But they all know the difference betAveen a Free- stone and Cling, a Tellow peach and a White one. And these are really, if not the most certain, the most obvious distinctions. Color strikes the eye at once. The J^Tiite Peaches are distinguished for the tender, delicate, and sparkling quality of their flesh ; the Yellow for their bright color, rich juice, and great size. In the former, sweetness predominates ; in the latter, strength. To most persons, especially those of experience and j^racticed taste, the former are most palatable ; yet some, even of this class, prefer the latter. But to the multitude at large, the bright color and large size of the yellow peaches are irresistable ; and, as a rule, they sell better in market than the white. The fruit is again divided into Freestone and Cling, and each of these divisions includes both white and yellow peaches. The names clearly indicate their distinctive character. The former parts from the stouQ freely, while the latter clings to it tenaciously. The clings, especially of some varieties, are very juicy and vinous, and of ex- quisite flavor. But they are not popular as a market fruit, owing to the adhesive character of the stones, which renders them inconvenient to eat. The class, and sometimes variety, may be told by the branches and general contour of the head. In some, the branches strike out horizontally ; in others, almost verti- cally ; and in others still, at an intermediate angle. The first gives the round head, like the apple tree ; the second, the tapering head, somewhat resembling the cherry tree ; and the last, the spreading or fan-shaped head. An ob- servant planter will soon notice these peculiarities, and thus be able to tell his trees even in the winter, when stripped of foliage. 158 PEACH CULTURE. We have already cautioned the young planter against the common error of planting too many varieties. We shall now proceed to advise him what varieties he should select. And here we wish still further to remark, that some varieties do very well in certain localities, and very ill in others. For instance. Sale's Early, a new and very early variety, is a great favorite with some, while it is re- morselessly discarded by others ; and both are right ; for, in the first case, the required conditions of its success are present, while in the second they are wanting. But experience has proved that some varieties do well almost in any place, whatever may be the soil or climate; that wherever the Peach will succeed at all, they will ; and these may justly be regarded as the most reliable and valuable of all for general cultivation. Preeminent among these are the Crawfords and Old Mixon. They are the very highest type of the white and yellow varieties, re- spectively; and years of experience, in all parts of our country, place them at the very head of the list. From authentic sources, embracing in territory more than twenty States, and in variety more than fifty sorts, we have, at some pains, prepared the following tables, which show, at a glance, general results. But it must be remembered that the merits of any given variety are not determined for one reason, but for many ; and that a peach of the finest flavor may take a low grade, while one of very poor flavor may rank high. What is sought, and what makes the character, is a combination of many virtues. The largest number of these virtues gives the highest rank, A peach may be of excellent flavor, but a poor bearer ; it may be a good bearer, but subject to rot, or the crop may not ripen. It may be a good bearer, may ripen a crop of fine flavored fruit, but so small that they will not sell, and, in consequence, it goes down to the foot of the list. Vigor and productiveness of the tree, and size, color, and richness of the fruit, is the summit of the VxVRIETIES. 159 planter's ambition • and he sliould never cease striving for it. The following table shows the relative popularity of twelve varieties in the jicach districts, the contest being for the first rank, and the figures indicating the votes by districts : Old Mixon Free, 9 Crawford's Early, 7 Crawford's Late, 6 Old Mixon Cling, 3 Heath Cling, • .... 3 Smock, 3 Troth, 3 Ward's Late, 3 Hale's Early, 2 Large Early York, 2 Stump the World, 2 Morris' White, 1 The vote, in detail, stands thus : For Old Mixon Free : Delaware, District of Columbia, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, Massachusetts, Eastern New York, Western JSTew York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. These nine districts would place Old Mixon at the very head of the list, or, rather, not allow precedence to any other, as some of them give equal grade to several varie- ties. For Crawford's Early : Delaware, District of Colum- bia, Southern Indiana, Massachusetts, Western New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Western Pennsylvania. For Crawford's Late : Delaware, District of Columbia, Southern Indiana, Western New York, Eastern Pennsyl- vania, and Western Pennsylvania. For Old Mixox Clin^g : District of Columbia, Northern Indiana, and Southern Indiana. 160 PEACH CULTUfiE. For Heath Cling : Nortliern Indiana, Soutliern Indiana, and Soutliern Ohio. For Smock: Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Pennsylvania. For Troth : Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Pennsylvania. For Ward's Late : Southern Illinois, Eastern Pennsyl- vania, and Western Pennsylvania. For Hale's Early : Northern Ohio, and Central Ohio. For Large Early York : Southern Illinois, and Eastern Pennsylvania. For Stump the World : Southern IlHnois, and Western Pennsylvania. For Morris' White : Southern Indiana. The second place is assigned to the following eighteen varieties, the figures opposite denoting the number of dis- tricts that give them this grade : Morris' White, 17 Early York, 16 George the Fourth, 16 Grosse Mimonne, 16 Large Early Yor Crawford's Late Crawford's Early Heath Cling, . Old Mixon Cling Yellow Rareripe Ic 15 14 13 13 12 12 Ward's Late, 11 Lemon Cling, 10 Old Mixon Free, 10 Smock, 10 Hale's Early, 9 Stump the World, 9 Troth's Early, 9 VARIETIES. 161 These tables are very interesting, as indicating the preference given for the several varieties ; but the reports, upon which they are based, being only partial or local, they must not be relied on as absolute verity, but only as proximate truths, derived from the best sources of informa- tion at present accessible. It will be further observed that these tables do not fully indicate the aggregate merits of the respective varieties, inasmuch as one variety may have, and often has, several votes for the first grade, and as many more for the second. Now, neither of them gives the absolute quality, but the aggregate of both. This will appear in the following table : Tarielies. Votes for \sl Rank. Votes for 2(i Bank. Affffregate. Orawfnrtrs Early 7 6 9 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 13 14 10 17 15 16 10 10. 12 12 11 10 9 12 9 9 10 20 Crawford's Late 20 Old Mixon Free 19 Morris' White 18 Large Early York Early York 17 10 George the Fourth 16 16 Heath Clihjr 15 Old Mixon Clin"- 15 14 13 Troth 12 12 Hale's Early Stump the World 11 11 Lemon Clincr 10 This table of gradations, from 20 to 10, shows at a glance the general estimate, as ascertained from numerous reports from all parts of the country, and may be safely relied on as a general guide. It is subject, however, to the observations we have already made, and also to the following. Some of the varieties above named are of very poor quality, but, owing to their productiveness, and time of ripening, are favorites in some localities. Of such is the Troth. Others, although of excellent quality, and rea- sonably productive, have not been introduced, or exten- sively cultivated, and in some of the districts reporting, 162 PEACH CULTURE. have not been tested, therefore their merits are unknown. Of sucli, we believe, is Stump the World. In our next chapter we will speak more in detail of va- rieties for planting. CHAPTER XXX. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. We have already cautioned the young planter against the common error of planting too many varieties. We now propose to advise him in regard to those he should plant. Having given due weight to what we have said on soil, climate, and location, he will still farther have re- gard to the markets, time of ripening, and number of trees he is to jilant. If he is near a great city, it will generally be for his inter- est to get into market as early as practicable, and, there- fore, the early sorts Avill suit him best. But this may not always hold good ; for the same motive that influences him will likely impel many others, and thus the competi- tion may be so great, as to reduce the price below jjrofit. When there is danger of this, a later variety may be preferable. These remarks apply with equal force to all late kinds, and for the same reason. If the grower has to send to a distant market, he should have some regard to that, and select the kinds that will bear carriage. If he is going to raise fruit for canning, then the season is not so much an object as the quality of the fruit, and its special adaptation to this purpose, and this will influ- ence his selection. Again, the planter should consider whether he will plant for a supply during the entire season, or only a part DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 163 of it. The peach season proper, on the Delaware Penin- sula, continues two months from the first of August. To supply this, it reqviires eight or ten varieties, at least, ri- pening consecutively ; and they must be carefully selected with this view, for, if they overlaj) or run into each other, that number will not be sufficient. But when there is a full crop, when all varieties are fruitful, the season .often commences earlier, and runs clear through October, add- ing five or six weeks to its duration. Now, if the planter wishes to avail himself of this entire period, he will have to' plant accordingly, commencing with the very earliest, and closing with the very latest. And again, he may be afraid to rely on a single variety in each j^rogressive step of the course ; and, if so, he Avill plant double — that is, he will plant two varieties, ripening as nearly together as practicable, and thus guard against the fixilure of either to produce a crop, or to command an adequate j^rice. This, of course, will largely increase his list. But the reflective planter may think that a few well chosen sorts will pay him better than many — some of which are not first-rate — and confine his selection to these. This will do very well if nobody leads or follows him. But suppose all come to the same conclusion, and act ac- cordingly ? It is easily seen the peach season would soon be reduced to a few days only, and then there would be such a glut, that transportation could not be found, even if pickers and buyers could. The folly of running away after a few special favorites has been seen in several in- stances. A few* years ago, the rage was for very early fruit, because very early fruit had sold exceedingly high. Nurserymen Avere beset by anxious enquirers after early trees. The old, favorite kinds, they could only sell in small quantities, if at all, and at reduced prices. To meet this urgent demand, they sought out and propagated the earliest varieties almost exclusively. The market was soon supplied with trees ; they were planted by hundreds 164 PEACH CULTURE. of thousands, and the anxious planters could hardly wait their coming-in, so eager were they to realize the large fortunes their fancies had jDromised them. The time soon flew by. The trees, whose growth had been watched with almost maternal care, bore, and abundantly, large crops of beautiful and delicious fruit. Now their golden dreams of great and sudden fortune were to be realized. But, alas, " Disappointment lurks in many a prize, As bees la flowers, and stings us with success." It was soon found there was " too much of a good thing," The market was fully supplied, or overstocked with early peaches, and the inexorable laws of trade soon reduced the price to mere remuneration, or, at best, to a small profit. The consequence was, that early peaches were pronounced a cheat by many who had been most enthusiastic in their favor. Again, it Avas found that very late peaches brought high prices one or two seasons, and immediately a rush was made on them, but not so general or so intense as the former. Some had been enlightened, and learned to be prudent. Still later, during the season of 1869, it was discovered that some varieties, ripening just in the midst of it, brought the best prices, and forth- with the young trees of these varieties soon disappear, and the perplexed nurseryman stands aghast to see his large stock, both of early and late, on his hands. All this proves that the planter should be cautious and prudent in his selections, and observant of the laws of trade, especially so far as supply and denland usually af- fect prices. One thing, however, he should not do. No hope of temporary profit should ever tempt him to plant an in- ferior sort if a really more valuable one can be substituted. Were we going to plant an orchar the Discarded Varieties. Sent post-paid. Price $1.50. Orange Judd ost-i>aicl, S}$1.50. OBANGE JUDD & COMPANY, 245 Broadway, New-York. I AND THE Principles of their Construction and Use : ■WITH SIMPLE AND PEAOTIOAL EXPLANATIONS or THE LAWS OF MOTION AND FORCE, AS APPLIED ON THE FARM. With 287 Illustrations, By JOHIN" J. THOMAS. — ♦ — CONTENTS. PART I.— MECHANICS. Chapter I. — iNTRonrcTioN. — Value of Farm Machinery— Importance of a Knowledge of Mechanical Principles. Chapter II. — General Principles of Mechanics. Chapter III. — Attraction. Chapter IV. — Simple Machines, or Mechanical Powers. Chapter V. — Application of Mechanical Principles in the Structure of Im- plements and Machines. Chapter VI. —Friction. Chapter VII.— Principles of Draught. Chapter VEII. — Application of Labor. Chapter IX. — Models of Machines. Chapter X. — Construction and Use of Farm Implements and Machines — Implements of Tillage, Pulverizers, Chapter XI. — Sowinjj Machines. Chapter XII.— Machines for Haying and Harvesting. Chapter XHI.— Thrashing, Grinding, and Preparing Products. PART II.— MACHINERY IN CONNECTION WITH WATER. -Chapter I.— Hydrostatics. Chapter II. — Hydraulics. PART m.— MACHINERY IN CONNECTION WITH AIR. Chapter I. — Pressure of Air. Chapter U. — Motion of Air. PART IV.— HEAT. Chapter I. — Conducting Power— Expansion, Great Force of— Experiments with— Steam Engine — do. for Farms— Steam Plows— Latent Heat- Green and Dry Wood. Chapter II.— Radiation. APPENDIX. Apparatus for Experiments. Discharge of Water through Pipes. Velocity of Water in Pipes. Rule for Discharge of Water. Velocity of Water in TUe Drains. Glossary. Price, Posf-palcl, $1.50. ORANGE JUDD & CO., 245 Broacliray, ]Vc\v-York, RURAL BOOKS PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BT ORANGE JUDD &C0., NO. 24.5 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. It^" Any Book on this list any address in tlie United States, Allen's (L. F.) American Cattle $2 59 Allen's (L. F.) Eui-al Architecture. . 1 50 Allen's (U. L.) American Farm Book 1 50 Allen's New American Farm Booli. . 2 50 Allen's Diseases of Dora. Animals... 1 CO American Air. Annual, pap., 50, clo. 75 American Hort. Annual,pap.,50, clo. 75 American Bird Fancier 30 American Ilose Culturist 30 American Weeds and Useful Plants. 1 75 Architecture, (Cummings & Miller). 10 00 Architecture, Modern Am., do 10 03 Bemeut's Uabbit Fancier 30 Bommer's Method of Making Manures 25 Book of Evergreens 3 00 BonssingauU's Eural Koonomy 1 60 Breck's New Book of Flowers 1 75 Bulst's Flower Garden Directory 1 53 Buist's Family Kitchen Gardener. . . 1 00 Caldwell's Agric. Chem. Analysis... 2 00 Cliorlton's Grape Grower's Guide... 75 Cobbott's American Gardener 75 Cole's (S. W.) American Fruit Book 75 Cole's Veterinarian 75 Copeland's Country Life, 8vo, cloth. 5 09 Cotton Culture, (Lyman) 1 50 Cotton-Planter's Manual, (Turner).. 1 50 Dadd's(G. H.) Modern Horse Doctor 1 50 Dadd's American Cattle Doctor 1 50 Dana's Muck Manual 1 25 Darwin's Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication, 2 vols. 6 00 Dog & Gun, (Hooper's), pa. 30c., clo. 60 Downing's Fruits & Fruit Trees, Svo. 7 50 Downinsr's Landscape Gardening 50 Draining for Profit and Healtli 1 50 Eastwood on Cranberry 75 Elliott'sWest'n Fruit Grower's Guide 1 50 Farm Inipl'ts& Machinery (Thomas) 1 50 Flax C ulture 59 French's Farm Drainage 1 50 Field's (Thos. TV.) Pear Culture 1 25 Fuller's Grape Culturist 1 50 Fuller's Small Fruit Culturist 1 50 Fuller's Strawberry Culturist 20 Gardening for the Soutli, (White)... 2 00 Gregory on Squash Culture 30 Guenon on Milcli Cows 75 Harris' Insects Injurious to Vegeta- tion, ext. clo 4 00 will be forwarded, post-paid, to on receipt of the price. Hender.son's Gardening for Profit. . .$1 50 Henderson's Practical Floriculture. 1 50 Herbert's Hints to Horse-Keepers... 1 75 Hop Culture 40 Hunter and Trapper 1 00 Jaques' Manual of the House 1 50 Joliiison's How Crops Grow 2 00 Johnson's How Crops Feed 2 00 Johnson's Peat and its Uses 1 25 Jolmston's Agricultural Chemistry.. 1 75 Johnston's Elements of Ag.Chemistryl 50 Leuchar's How to Build Hot-Houses 1 50 Market Assistant (De Voe) 2 50 Miles on the Horse's Foot 75 Molir on the Grape Vine 1 00 My Vineyard at Lakevie w 1 25 Norton's Scientiflc Agriculture 75 Onion Culture 20 Our Farm of Four Acres, pa. SOc, clo. 60 Pardee on Strawberry Culture 75 Pedder'8 Land Measurer CO Percheron Horse 1 00 Quinby's Mj'steries of Bee-Keeping. 1 50 Randall's Slieep Husbandry 1 50 Randall's Fine Wool Sheep Husbandryl 00 Ilichardson on the Dog, pa. 30c., clo. 60 Kivers' Miniature Fruit Garden 1 00 Rural Churcli Architecture 12 00 Saunders' Domestic Poultry, paper. . 40 " " " cloth.. 75 Schonck's Gardener's Text Book. ... 75 Skillful Housewife 75 Stewart's (John) Stable Book 1 50 Thompson's Food of Animals 1 00 Tim Bunker Papers 1 50 Tobacco Culture 25 Warder's American Pomology 3 00 Warder's Hedges and Evergreens... 1 50 Woodward's Cottages&Farm-houses 1 50 Woodward's Suburban and Country Houses 1 50 Woodward's Country Homes 1 50 Wheeler's Rural Homes 2 00 Wheeler's Homes for the People 3 00 Youatt and Spooner on the Horse... 1 50 Youatt and JIartin on Cattle 1 50 Youatt on the Hog 1 00 Youatt on Sheep 1 00 SPECIAL. Woodward's National Architect.... 12 00