222 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



of the buds, and a few degrees below zero will destroy them all. J f 

 the buds are perfectly dormant, they will sometimes withstand a tem- 

 perature of 20 degrees or more below zero without injury. 



WINTER PROTECTION. 



Since the buds are stimulated into a slight growth by the sunlight, 

 a shade over the trees will sometimes prevent the growth. It would 

 be too expensive to build sheds over the trees, so the next best thing 

 is to protect them by whitewashing or ''baling." 



The former method of protection has for its basis the fact that 

 certain colors, notably the darker shades, absorb or take up the sun's 

 rays and thus become warm, while the light colors, like the pure white 

 reflects or throws off the rays from the sun and thereby remain much 

 cooler. By actually sticking thermometers into holes bored in peach 

 twigs growing side by side, one of which was painted over with lamp 

 black and the other with lime whitewash, there was a dift'erence of 2."] 

 degrees in a few minutes during bright sunlight. The practical applica- 

 tion of this principle is to cover the branches of the peach trees with a 

 coating of whitewash, which is quickly done by using a spray pump. 

 As indicated, this will keep the buds cool and they are not influenced by 

 sunlight. However, if there are several successive days of warm weath- 

 er, until the atmosphere becomes warm, this method is sometimes in- 

 effectual. 



The ''baling" process consists in drawing the branches upward and 

 inward with ropes and, when the upper limbs are all drawn tightly to- 

 gether, they are bound in that position with cords. See Fig. 5, to the 

 right. In this way the branches shade one another and do some good, 

 but it is much better to cover the baled trees with a layer of corn fodder, 

 using the whole stalks, which are held up. by a strong string or wire 

 wrapped around the entire mass. This protection will not save the buds 

 if the weather remains warm for a week or so any time in February, 

 and is followed by a sharp freeze. 



PICKING, PACKING AND MARKETING. 



It should always be remembered that peaches require the utmost care 

 in handling and it will take much vigilance on the part of the grower 

 to see that this is done. In the first place peaches should not be picked 

 until ripe, even for long shipments. Begin picking the fruit when it 

 will part readily from the stems, but do not wait until it begins to get 

 soft. The stage for picking cannot be determined by the color alone. 

 The fruit cannot all be harvested at once, but may require as many as 

 four or five pickings, but usually about three. Use one-half bushel fruit 



