WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION 21 



thp: coming vakieties of peach— what should they 



BE? 



BY N. p. IIUSTED OF LOWELL. 



Presuming that a majority of our experienced peachgrowers are agreed 

 as to the necessity of an improved list of peaches adapted to the wants 

 of producers, shippers, and consumers, we will present briefly our ideas 

 in regard to the qualities they should possess. 



First, it would not be advisable to extend the present list unless it can 

 be done by the addition of new sorts with desirable qualities not found in 

 the older varieties. Our peach industry has advanced from a small begin- 

 ning to such magnitude that the limited list which answered the pur- 

 pose of small planters in an early day will not meet the re(}uirements of 

 the extensive peach-grower of today. The growers in the different sections 

 of the fruit belt of ^Michigan would require not a small list. The planter 

 located on sandy soil needs sorts quite dilTerent from those suited to 

 a clay loam. So, to meet the wants of planters on the various soils and in 

 the different localities, would require quite an extended list. 



The coming peaches should possess in an eminent degree the following 

 qualities: First, the trees should be of robust habit, be strong growers, 

 and very hardy, with heavy, luxuriant foliage, and be regular annual bear- 

 ers; second, the fruit should be of uniform size, with a smooth, even sur- 

 face. It should have such a combination of delicate shades and tints of 

 coloring as to rival the works of the finest artist. The tlesh should be 

 fine-grained, firm, and solid. It should ripen evenly to the small pit, and be 

 free from rot and mildew. The skin should be tough and velvety, which 

 would in a measure render it impervious to the attacks of insects. In 

 flavor it should be melting, aromatic, excellent. In addition to the above 

 it should possess great shipping and keeping qualities. The value of 

 such a list of peaches could hardly be estimated. Our peach season usually 

 lasts a period of ten to twelve weeks, beginning about the middle of July 

 and continuing until the last of September, and in some seasons until the 

 middle of October and later. A list extending through the season, hardy 

 in tree and bud as the Chili, good shippers, with fruit comparing in size, 

 color, and flavor with Keeves Favorite, Susquehanna, and Foster, or 

 Early Michigan, Oldmixon, and Stump, would be an acquisition greatly to 

 be desired, and of untold value. It would give a great impetus to the 

 business, and would mean more money for the producers, more employ- 

 ment for labor, a large increase in the railroads and transportation lines. 

 Improvement in the quality of peaches would surely lead to an increased 

 consumption. Replace our early clingstones, of inferior flavor and poor 

 shipping qualities, with freestones of good size, bright color, and delicious 

 flavor, and the demand for such fruit will increase faster than the supply. 

 We would say to the favored owners of ideal jjeach lands, have no fears 

 of over-production, but plant extensively of the best improved sorts, and 

 a bonanza will be surely yours. 



