224: MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



a splendid fruiter and does not rot badly and ripens in July. Elberta is 

 an old standard among peaches, fairly hardy of bud, free from rot and 

 a good shipper ; it should have a place in any planting. Ripens middle 

 of August. Champion is a desirable variety especially for North Mis- 

 souri where it is the most serious competitor of the Elberta. It is said 

 to be hardier at the north than the Elberta, but is not such a favorite in 

 the southern part of the State. Another August peach, well known to 

 most people, is the Old Mixon Free. Of fine quality and good size, 

 but too soft to ship well. Picquet's Late is a desirable September vari- 

 ety. j\Irs. Brett is a seedling of the Old Mixon and is of good quality. 

 Salway is the best late variety, ripening the last of September. T"he 

 Henrietta ripens toward the last of October and is said to be hardy, 

 productive and a sure bearer. This last is a clingstone, all of the others 

 mentioned before this being freestones. Heath Cling and Old ^lixon 

 Cling are the leading clingstones for all localities. Crosby is popular 

 at the north on account of its hardiness of bud ; it is a clingstone. 



For a local market where the fruit is to be peddled out, there is 

 usually a big demand for clingstone varieties of good shape for home 

 canning. The Old Heath Cling is one of the best sellers for this pur- 

 pose. Family Favorite and Elberta also sell well on a home market. 

 ]\It. Rose would supply the early demand. 



For shipment it is found that the only useful varieties are those 

 that are able to travel long distances and arrive in good condition. The 

 Elberta answers this purpose best of all, and is the leading commercial 

 variety of the South Missouri peach districts. It is often urged against 

 the Elberta that it is of inferior quality, but so long as the market de- 

 mands it, and no better shipper can be found, this variety will continue 

 to be very largely grown. Mt. Rose is grown to a limited extent for 

 shipment and the Salway is planted for late markets. 



In brief, the following are recommended : For a home orchard, 

 Mt. Rose, Family Favorite, Elberta, Champion, Old Mixon Free, Pic- 

 quet's Eate, Salway and Henrietta. For a local market, j\lt. Rose, 

 Elberta and Heath Cling. For a commercial orchard Elberta should 

 constitute the main crop (except in North Missouri where Champion 

 should take the lead), and a comparatively small acreage of Salway for 

 the late market. It is not advisable to try to grow Mt. Rose in a com- 

 mercial orchard as it is too susceptible to rot to take any chances of 

 spreading the disease among the Elbertas. 



THINNING PEACHES. 



For best results, whatever the peaches are grown for, it is always 

 best to hand thin them earlv in the season before the seeds mature. By 



