234 THE PEACH. 



into bearing, if they all be precisely the same, it may be re- 

 garded as a fixed variety. Try several varieties in this way, 

 and those that come nearest to the sameness required should 

 be adapted as fixed standard varieties. In this way a splen- 

 did assortment might be obtained with no expense and but 

 little trouble. 



SUITABLE SOILS AND SITUATIONS. 



It is conceded tliat the very best soil for the peach is a 

 deep, rich, sandy loam, or any strong mellow loam. Mellow 

 loam, containing but little sand has been found to produce 

 fruit of the finest quality, and for a long time successively; 

 a light, thin, sandy soil will produce fine fruit, but the trees 

 on such soils are not long-lived. The worst and poorest soils 

 for the peach are compact clay, containing little vegetable 

 matter. The rich, friable, red soils of the Piedmont sections 

 of the South are unsurpassed in their adaptability to the per- 

 fection and lusciousness of this fruit, and the finest of all spe- 

 cimens are grown in this region, not only as it regards flavot^, 

 but also size and beauty. 



As a general thing, the peach will flourish in any moderately 

 rich, friable soil, with suitable culture. Some authors esteem 

 as best, a light and rather dry loam. On lands rather light 

 and sandy, sivamp muck or diteh mud mixed with stable ma- 

 nure is a highly beneficial corrective. On soils of a contrary 

 character, sand, saw dust, leaves, &c., will aid greatly in the 

 pulverization and productiveness of such land. 



Situation. — In regions of country that are subject to 

 vernal frosts, situation or aspect is of considerable importance, 

 as the blossoms are liable to be cut off* when in the half open 

 or full blown state; and they are sometimes killed in the bud 

 by the rigor of severe winters. This has happened to some 

 extent in Virginia during the last winter, 1869-70. The 

 fruit buds were not sufficiently matured up to November, 

 during Avhich month we had the coldest spell ever known at 

 the approach of our usual winter — affording an opportunity 

 to get ice. Then we had a remarkably warm winter up to 



