THE GROWING OF PEACHES 



Charles D. Barton 

 Farmers' Institute Lecturer 



The first essential in the production of peaches is a location 

 adapted to the purpose. The peach tree has but one absolute 

 requirement and that a well-drained soil. Successful commercial 

 production, however, depends on the selection of a suitable loca- 

 tion — a location which takes into consideration the probable con- 

 ditions and circulation of the air surrounding the trees during the 

 extreme cold weather and at the time of blooming. Such condi- 

 tions are usually found where there is lower ground near, which 

 furnishes a place for the heavier cold air to drain out of the 

 orchard. Good air drainage is almost as important to the peach 

 grower as good water drainage. 



SELECTION OF TREES 



The proper selection of the tree is another important factor 

 in successful peach production. A good-sized, healthy, vigorous 

 tree is most desirable, because these conditions in a tree as it 

 comes from the nursery row indicate that it has in it the power 

 to make a healthy, vigorous growth when planted in an orchard. 

 While a small tree may sometimes develop well, its size alone 

 indicates that it either has not had good care or the vitality of 

 the stock from which it was produced has not been good. 



FORM OF TREE 



Of course in digging the larger tree a large percentage of its 



roots are destroyed. In order to re-establish the balance between 



the amount of leaf surface and the amount of feeding roots which 



this tree is to have during the first year in the orchard, we remove 



the lateral branches and the top, planting a plain stem about 



two feet long. Experience has shown that in case of dry weather 



we get a much better stand than if more leaf buds are left to 



develop. 



[1727] 



