320 Peach-Growing 



In the present connection, the reader's attention is re- 

 directed to the influence of late tillage, nitrogenous fertilizers, 

 and other cultural and maintenance operations as means of 

 preventing injury from adverse temperatures in regions 

 where the temperature is rather mild during the dormant 

 period and is characterized by warm spells during which the 

 fruit-buds start enough to become somewhat tender. It is 

 unnecessary to repeat the details here since they are else- 

 where discussed sufficiently to indicate their practical 

 importance in orchard management. (See pages 168- 

 169.) 



Chandler ^ points out that there is considerable difference 

 in the relative hardiness of varieties, but that those which 

 will withstand low winter temperatures and are hardy in the 

 northern peach districts where the winters are characterized 

 by long, continuous periods of cold weather may be far from 

 the hardiest varieties where the winters are characterized 

 by warm spells with temperatures sufficiently high to start 

 the buds. 



Hardiness in the former case depends primarily on the 

 wood becoming thoroughly ripened before cold weather sets 

 in. Under the latter conditions hardiness depends on the 

 ability of the tree to remain perfectly dormant during warm 

 periods in winter. There is considerable difference in the 

 color of the twigs of different varieties. Chandler finds that 

 the varieties of the Chinese Cling and Chili (Hills Chili) type 

 with green twigs are the hardiest under conditions such as 

 prevail in Missouri. 



Aside from these cultural features above noted, there are 

 several recourses open to the peach-grower as means of 

 preventing injury. Not all of these are practicable on a 

 1 Mo. Expt. Sta. Circ. of Information, 31. 



