68 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



always be gTeat, and the field for commercial peach-growing has only those 

 limitations which come from nature and its own environments. 



Ensuing upon this paper was a long discussion, occasioned by a desire 



of the Eaton Rapids people to learn what, for their vicinity, would be 



DESIRABLE VARIETIES OF PEACH. 



Mr. Hamilton: It was inferred from Mr. Crawford's paper that 

 peaches are not and can not be grown in the vicinity of Eaton Rapids; 

 but I have seen high lands about the place where, were they mine, I would 

 not hesitate to try peaches. I wish Mr. Taylor had named some of the 

 hardier sorts that may be obtained from nearly any nurseryman in 

 Michigan. 



Mr. Taylor : To make a complete presentation of the subject of peach- 

 growing, there should be a paper on varieties as well as upon each of sev- 

 eral other points; but as to hardy varieties, I will mention some, in the 

 order of ripening. There are many varieties that are equal to or better 

 than the Crawfords; but some of these are not hardy, and the best 

 varieties can not be carried far and retain their flavor. Hill's Chili is one 

 of the hardiest but needs moisture and much sunshine for its proper 

 ripening. It carries well, cans well, and but few know the difference 

 between it and Crawford. The Lewis, Golden Drop, Barnard, Snow's 

 Orange, and Jacques in many points can hardly be excelled. All these 

 would be likely to do well, in most seasons, in Eaton county and other 

 interior points of the state. Under normal conditions these will with- 

 stand — well, I have known them to endure sixteen degrees below zero and 

 yield a full crop. But there are contingencies, as a warm autumn or 

 winter, which develop the blossom buds though not the leaf buds. Under 

 such conditions I would fear ten degrees below zero. Spring frosts are 

 another source of injury, and in some localities the greatest of all. 



Mr. Samuels: Has Mr. Taylor tested the St. John and Elberta? 



Mr. Taylor: Indications are that St. John will be one of our best 

 peaches, though it is as yet not much grown — not enough to fully test it as 

 to hardiness. Elberta has not yet been fruited in my vicinity. I have 

 tried to get Reeves' Favorite but failed — got something else that was 

 worthless. The St. John was called Crane's Yellow, in our vicinity, 

 because it was gotten from the orchard of Mr. Crane of Fennville, found 

 to be good, and the true name was not known. Mr. Crane bought the 

 trees for Early Rivers from some nurseryman who misnamed them. As 

 to soil, gravelly loam is preferable, but the peach will do well on any well- 

 drained high ground. The Elberta ripens soon after the Early Crawford. 



Mr. Samuels: I have grown St. John twenty-two years and found it 



