272 NEHUASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL .SOCIETY. 



below for some considerable time there might be some injury. 

 lUit it should be remembered that the average peach tree con- 

 tains about 25,000 buds, whereas 1,000 peaches to the tree 

 would constitute a heavy crop. It will thus be seen that a 

 large number of buds may be killed and yet a full crop re- 

 main. At a temperature of zero or a little below, many of the 

 weaker buds may perish and at eight or nine below there will 

 be a wholesale slaughter, so to speak, although there is no 

 reason why a sufficient nuniber may not remain under nor- 

 mal conditions to furnish a full crop of fruit. 



The second stage when injury may occur is from the time 

 growth in the buds begins until the}^ are fully open. This is 

 a critical period, as severe weather is apt to occur at this 

 stage. At this time the buds are much more tender than when 

 fully dormant. The temperature that Avill kill at this time 

 will depend upon the stage of development of the buds. 



The third stage is the time which intervenes between the 

 opening of the flowers and until the petals fall. This is the 

 time when late frosts are apt to occur. They are now very 

 tender. At this point the danger point lies somewhere be- 

 tween 26 and 30 degTees above zero P. 



The fourth -and last stage begins after the fruit lias set and 

 lasts until all danger of cold weather has passed. Just after 

 the fruit has formed and at the time when the "shuck" or 

 calyx is beginning to fall, the young fruits can stand a tem- 

 perature of 32 degrees, and beyond this stage the larger the 

 peaches are the less cold they can withstand without injury. 

 It may be repeated that the farther along the peaches are in 

 their development the more tender they are. 



Briefly summarized, fully dormant peach buds can stand 

 8 or 9 degTees below zero. When they are apprecial>ly swol- 

 len zero is the danger point. When the buds are showing 

 pink they can stand 15 degrees above zero. When the buds 

 are almost open, 25 degrees is the danger point. When they 

 are newly opened about 26 degrees would be the point of dan- 

 ger. AA'hen the petals are beginning to fall, 28 degrees above 



