The Bulletin 13 



the level. jirliici|ially for the fact that a slope Kf'i'crally alTtjrds better 

 soil and atmospheric drainage than level ground. In mo.st instances 

 the importance of exposure has been exaggerated, but it is generally 

 conceded that trees on a very decided southern slope will usually bloom 

 earlier and mature fruit sooner than Iroes planted on a corresponding 

 northern exposure; but on a slope, the difTerenco in which is not de- 

 cided, there will be very little difference in the blooming and ripening 

 periods. In sections of this State where peach trees suffer from winter 

 injury, northern exposures are to be preferred. A rather moderate 

 slope should be chosen in preference to a steep one, because soil manage- 

 ment will be more economical on the former. 



Soil. — The peach will grow on a wide range of soils, and while the 

 tree prefers light, warm, well drained, sandy or loamy land, with a 

 clay subsoil, numerous orchards have been successfully grown upon 

 rather heavy clay and many on deep sands. More important than the 

 soil type is the factor of drainage. Tim peach will not succeed on 

 soils that are wet. water-logged, and pos-^oss an imper^'ious subsoil — 

 proper drainage being absolutely indispensable. In lands that are 

 well drained, the roots go deep, and the trees do not suffer so much 

 from dry summers. Avoid planting the orchard on either muck or 

 heavy clay soils and on all wet, low, and frosty lands. 



PREPARATION OF THE LAND 



The proper preparation of the land before planting to peaches is 

 highly essential for the best results. The soil should be thoroughly 

 prepared before planting begins. If the orchard is to be planted on 

 freshly cleared land, a cultivated crop, such as corn or cotton, should 

 bo grown on the land for a year at least ; two seasons in a cultivated 

 crop are better than one. Any crop that is suited to the conditions 

 of the location an<l that requires frequent cultivation should be used. 

 This causes the land to be cleared of roots or stumps, and puts it in 

 the best condition. If the soil is lacking in fertility and humus, 

 whether it be freshly cleared or old land, a soil-improving legume, such 

 as cowpeas or soybeans, should be grown and turned under in the fall 

 before the trees are planted. Cowpeas may be either broadcasted^ or 

 drilled in during :^^ay, June, or July, depending upon the locality, 

 using 1 to iVo bushels of seed per acre. If the land has never pro- 

 duced cowpeas, the seed should ])e inoculated with the nitrogen-fixing 

 bacteria, as this insures a more uniform stand and will materially 

 increase the growth, thus producing a larger quantity of organic matter 

 to be turned under. On poor land it will be of an advantage to use 

 from 150 to 2r.O pounds of good fertilizer with the peas. This will 

 insure a large amount of humus to be turned under. The green manure 

 crop should be turned under in the fall with a two-horse plow, and the 

 land put in good condition by harrowing. 



