410 REPORT OF THE SECRETAEY OF THE 



1st, 1864. The summer following each of these winters brought 

 abundance of fruit, on all bearing trees. Ordinary winters the 

 themometer does not reach zero. 



The wood even of the peach and all well ripened grape-wood 

 has not been known to winter-kill. Then, the fact of less fall 

 of rain along the lake border, with a certain degree of unfail- 

 ing moisture taken up by the air in its passage of the lake, 

 secures a more even supply, promoting the healthful growth 

 of plants, and greatly avoiding the mildew and other diseases. 



As a remarkable instance of our lake protection, it is said 

 that when the thermometer was at seven degrees below zero 

 here in January, 1864, it was as low as twelve degrees below at 

 Corinth, Mississippi, and twenty-seven degrees below at Mil- 

 waukee, Wisconsin. 



SOIL. 



Our soil is varied through all degrees, from light sand to 

 heavy clay loam, with frequent admixture of gravel,-7-every- 

 where the surface or subsoil slightly impregnated with Iron. 



These soils, in conjunction with various exposures, which 

 our gently undulating surface presents, have their adaptation 

 to the culture of various fruits. 



PEACH CULTURE. 



With proper management, the peach crop here seems about 

 as certain as the return of summer. With the encouragement 

 af this fact, the orchard interest is being rapidly extended. 



But there are conditions essential to success. 



First. Varieties to Plant. — It is important to have a regular 

 succession from early to late. 



Hale's Early has already acquired a bad reputation in mar- 

 ket, which, as it has many good qualities in tree and fruit, we 

 have been slow to concede it deserves. 



Serrate Early York is worthless for orchard. 



Wheelers Early, Coolidge's Favorite, and Large Early York 

 have good qualities. But we have no first-class market peach 

 earlier than the Crawford. 



