GROWING PEACHES FOR MARKET. 



BY M. B. WILLIAMS, SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN". 



IS IT DESIRABLE TO ENGAGE IN PEACH CULTURE? 



Before considering the general subject it, perhaps, might be well to inquire a 

 little about the desirability of engaging in peach culture as a specialty, as some 

 in the peach districts seem of late rather inclined to do, nearly or quite to the 

 exclusion of all otlier fruits. It is not my design to present a long list of fig- 

 ures for the purpose of demonstrating in dollars and cents the relative profits 

 of peach-growing, though being of the opinion that if such a list were pro- 

 duced, tlie peach would be somewliere near the top. But without giving any 

 figures I would say that I do not consider it advisable for any one about to 

 engage in fruit culture to confine himself entirely to peaches. I am aware that 

 the peach crop of 187G in this locality, as well as in other parts of ^[ichigan, 

 was a grand success, both in quantity and prices. Neither am I unmindful of 

 the fact that within a radius of several hundred miles from any point in South- 

 western Michigan there is comparatively but very little territory that is adapted 

 to the growth of this fruit, and hence there is not so much danger of over 

 supplying the market. 



While these are interesting facts to bo remembered, yet there are also other 

 facts which ought not to be forgotten. The season of 1875 was nearly a failure 

 so far as peaches in Michigan were concerned, while apples in the lake shore 

 region, and also in other favored locations, yielded abundantly, and sold for 

 remunerative prices, hence that year apples paid far better than peaches, not- 

 withstanding the reverse was true the following season. The mosc enthusiastic 

 peach-growers in the oldest and best fruit districts of the State would not claim 

 that the peach orchard is by any means certain of affording an income every 

 year, but like nearly every crop that grows, it is occasionally liable to fail. The 

 same reasons which make it better for the farmers to produce a variety of 

 crops, rather than depend entirely ujion one, aiiply equally as well to the fruit- 

 grower. Let him plant liberally of various kinds, then in seasons when one 

 fails another may succeed, for in no year will all be likely to fail, if in any 

 place worthy to be called a fruit country. I do not wish to be understood as 

 cautioning against growing peaches more tlian any otlier one kind of fruit, but 

 on the contrary I bulicve tliat in situations wliich are adapted to their growth 

 they will be found quite as profitable as anything else that can be produced. 



