212 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



In this communication it states, tlie more sandy the soil, the bet- 

 ter the fruit; nor should it be overrich. Peach orchards are planted 

 to ameliorate poor lauds. The disease called yellows was also prev- 

 alent at that early date, and not, as many suppose, of more recent 

 origin. In reference to this he says: "The yellows are universally 

 prevalent this season throughout the whole countr}-. I do not wish 

 to discourage perseverance in the culture of this tree; but when 

 particular products fail they warn us to apply our main strength and 

 resources to other objects more certain and equally profitable. Let 

 hazardous cultivation be collateral and subordinate." 



Even hoodoo doctors were around in those days to entrap the un- 

 wary is shown v\here he states: "The mercury is mentioned by Dr. 

 Tilton for the cure of the disease in peach trees. I have frequently 

 applied it to plums. I bored a gimlet through the bark, and about a 

 half-inch into the sapwood, and inserted a drop or two of crude mer- 

 cury, so as to be carried through the circulation, with intent to 

 destroy vermin or insects in the bark or fruit. I have sometimes had 

 plenteous crops, apparently from the remedy; but I have more often 

 been disappointed." 



TYPES. 



There are five distinct races of peaches cultivated in the United 

 States: The Persian, Northern Chinese, Southern Chinese, Spanish 

 and Peen-to. The geographical names representing the parts of the 

 world in which each race is supposed to have originated, or to have 

 reached its highest development. The geographical name is objec- 

 tionable, for it is probable that all types of peaches originally came 

 from some part of Cliina. 



^Ye have no definite information concerning the number, the origin 

 or the distribution of the types in their native homes. It is there- 

 fore not proper to apply geographical names to a distinct type or 

 group before something is known about them in the country in which 

 they belong. 



SELECTION OF TYPES. 



The selection of types or varieties of types is a very important 

 matter with the prospective fruit raiser. Upon this selection de- 

 pends to a large extent his success or failure. There are many 

 climatic cnnditious existing in the United Stntes. and the selection 

 must be ninde nccoi'diug to the section of the coimtry where the 

 orchard is to be planted. In semi-tropical sections, as in Florida, 

 the Peen-to type and their many crosses are peculiarly adapted: 

 being extremely early, they mature their fruit long before the other 

 types, therefore, commanding r(nnunerative prices; but they are 

 very suscepYible to cold, and will not stand even light freezing, so 

 it would be folly to plant such varieties in any part of Pennsylvania, 

 or states of similar hititude. We must have hardy varieties, such as 

 will withstand severe freezing, several degrees below zero. 



What type shall we select from? There are some varieties of the 

 Persian type that are fairly hardy, and will stand ordinary winters 

 if properly treated; but we must look elsewhere if we wish safety. 

 In extraordinary cold winters we must have varieties that can with- 

 stand 15 or 20 degrees below zero. Are there such? As the ordinary 

 orchards are treated, there are not. If the previous year's culture 

 has been of the proper kind, then we can safely say yes, as we 



