84 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



SO commonly found along the shores of Lake Michigan, when properly 

 handled, have proven very satisfactory for peaches. Many orchards on 

 these kinds of soil have produced very successful crops. But the plant 

 food in soils of this type is soon exhausted and the neglect to turn any- 

 thing back into them has made it very diflBcult to start another orchard 

 upon the same site. On some of these sites, it might be profitable 

 to spend money to restore the fertility so that another peach orchard 

 could be successfully raised on the same site, but unless the location 

 is unusually favorable, many things should be thoroughly considered 

 before making the outlay. Such lands should be purchased at a low 

 price as considerable money may be needed to build up the soil. Prob- 

 ably the most ideal soil is the gravelly, sandy loam that is rich in 

 organic material. 



Distance from Shipping Station. — The kind of roads is one of the 

 great determining factors in considering the distance from the shipping 

 station. It is certainly desirable, under all conditions, to locate in a 

 section where there will be a short haul, as at the best, this is an ex- 

 pensive part of the business. Yet, in so many instances, the very best 

 sites are found at a considerable distance from a shipping point, and 

 the advantages of a good site and soil thus gained, will offset many 

 times the extra expense of hauling. The distance over which the fruit 

 must be hauled by wagon is certain to have an ultimate effect upon 

 its keeping quality. No fixed rules can be made as to the relative 

 values of certain distances, so many factors must be considered, but 

 the judgment of the individual is to make the final choice and this de- 

 cision should be arrived at, only after considering all the conditions, in- 

 cluding the mode of shipping. It is generally better to locate where 

 water and rail compete. 



Consideration For Other Crops Grovm Upon The Farm. — There are 

 few farms in Michigan where all of the area is adapted for raising 

 peaches. On nearly every farm, there is likely to be some land too 

 low to be desirable. Even if this were not so, it is a question whether 

 one would be justified in devoting all of his land to one crop that is 

 subject to so many risks. There is an advantage in having land to 

 which profitable attention can be given when the orchard does not 

 demand it. Thus a grower will be able to raise at least a part of 

 the necessary feeds for the farm animals. Some growers may desire to 

 produce other kinds of fruits, and many farms are particularly adapted 

 to other fruits. There may also be an advantage in carrying on a 

 side line, as dairying. But the best care of the peach orchard must not 

 be sacrificed for "side lines." This is just where many have made 

 failures in the past. The peach not only demands, but in a good 

 location, is worthy of the best efforts and when not so treated, it fails 

 to respond with profitable crops of fruit. If conditions are such as to 

 warrant the planting of a peach orchard, it must be made a main part 

 of the business and not a side issue in order to bring the best results. 



Risks to he Considered. — It has already been hinted that there are 

 several risks attending the business of producing peaches. While hun- 

 dreds of growers consider these of small importance in comparison with 

 the results it is possible to secure, still it is well to have them in mind. 



A study of the history of the peach business of Michigan shows 

 that the first enemy of the trees which confronted the grower was a 



