10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that have proved to be very profitable in the past should be utilized again 

 if possible. 



Closely connected to the subject of location is the proper choice of 

 varieties, as T am led to l)elieve by experience and also by observation 

 that certain varieties are better suited for some locations than other 

 varieties. In other words, it is a point in profitable peach production to 

 consider the adaptability of the commercial varieties to our particular 

 site. The ability to do this is best obtained by previous experience with 

 the varieties upon the same land, thus a new beginner must necessarily 

 be somewhat handicapped in this part of the work. To illustrate this 

 point, T refer to the Engle IMammoth variety. With us this has always 

 been one of the best commercial varieties, yet with some growers in 

 our vicinity it has given \evj unsatisfactory results. We have certain 

 locations upon our farm where the Elberta has been without an equal 

 and yet in some other places upon the same farm this variety has not 

 been profitable. Those vai*ieties which are inclined to bear heavily 

 should be chosen for the land that is abundant in fertility as they re- 

 (juire this sort of a condition in order to maintain their vigor and health. 

 ^A> are commencing to perceive that there is more to the choice of 

 varieties than the consideration of the market qualities. It is not profit- 

 able to devote all of the orchard to one variety and then lose a large 

 amount of fruit because of the inability to obtain sufficient help to 

 liandle the crop. It is better to use more varieties and thus distribute 

 the harvest over a longer period of time. 



Pruning and thinning are two operations widely difl'erent in the time 

 and mode of application yet very similar in the results that are sought. 

 Pruning is done to shape the tree while young, but, as it becomes older, 

 the jn'uning is continued in order to maintain bearing Avood near the 

 ground, jiroduce fruit of the best quality and to conserve the vitality of 

 the tree. Thinning is also necessary in order to produce fruit of the best 

 quality and to maintain the vigor and producing power of the tree. 

 Varieties which bear heavily and regularly must be pruned and thinned 

 severely, Avhile those sorts which are not inclined to be so prolific require 

 more gentle treatment. The market demands a i)each of large size in 

 order to insure a good price, and proper piiming and thinning are neces- 

 sary in order to produce this kind of fruit. 



Proper cultivation from the latter part of May until the last of July 

 and then the application of the cover crop seed is another combination 

 that must not be overlooked if the business would be made profitable. 

 Moisture must be conserved and plant food broken up during the grow- 

 ing season, as the peach tree draws heavily upon the soil when doing 

 business and conditions should be made as favorable as possible. The 

 dust mulch must be maintained during the summer and then the cover 

 crop sown in order to check too late growth upon the part of the 

 tree. Most of the peach orchard land requires more nitrogen, thus it 

 is best to endeavor to supply this element by the proper choice of a 

 cover crop. Crimscm clover is splendid where it can be grown success- 

 fully but winter vetch seems to be the most satisfactory at the present 

 time, as it is more easily grown and supplies nitrogen in larger quanti- 

 ties. A cover cro}) of rye alone is much better than nothing. Cover 

 crops have been neglected in the past upon much of the good orchard 



