80 BOAED OF AGRICULTUEE, [Jan., 



Question. In case a peach tree is covered with fruit, and 

 it comes on dry, as it did in^some portions of our State, this 

 year, what is the best thing to do ? 



Prof. Clark. If you keep the surface of the soil stirred 

 the trees will not be affected by drought as much as they 

 would otherwise, because the breaking up of the surface acts 

 the same as a mulch. Just stir up the surface, digging down 

 but an inch or two, and it will form a mulch and stop the 

 moisture from evaporating as quickly as it does when the soil 

 is left untouched. 



Question. Would you do that at any particular hour ? 



Prof. Clark. The moisture evaporates most rapidly in the 

 middle of the day, when the sun shines. 

 Question. What kinds would you set ? 



Prof. Clark. I should set Crawford's Early. I put that 

 first. Next, the Old Mixon. You do not get as much per 

 basket for it, but it is a more vigorous tree than the Craw- 

 ford's Late, or the Crawford's Early, either, and it produces 

 more fruit. I think the Crawford's Early is more profitable 

 than the Late because it is a better bearer. Although the 

 Crawford's Late is a little larger, it is sour, it is not of as 

 good flavor, and the time for peaches begins to go by when 

 the Crawford's Late comes in. I should set the Crawford's 

 Early, the Old Mixon, and perhaps the Crawford's Late. 



