34 THE KANSAS PEACH. 



loamy soils have given the best results, producing trees that are more 

 vigorous and fruitful and longer-lived. This experience has been the 

 one chief cause of the gradual movement of the peach center from 

 the southern to the northern section of the state. Our reports show 

 that approximately ;three-fourths of the orchards are located upon the 

 stronger rather than the lighter soils of the state. In some cases 

 thrifty, vigorous orchards are found upon soils the disintegration of 

 which was so imperfect — that is, so stony and rocky — that the use of 

 picks was necessary in the setting of trees. 



INJURY TO BUDS. 



Injury to buds, and consequent failure of crop, results quite as often 

 from winter-killing as from late spring frosts. A warm spell in winter 

 starts the sap moving and causes the buds to swell ; this, if followed 

 by a lower temperature, is liable to cause considerable injury. North- 

 ern and northwestern slopes will reduce to a minimum danger of such 

 injury, as far as location is concerned, while management of the or- 

 chard may exert a greater influence even than location. Very early 

 cultivation may force an early growth that late frosts destroy, or late 

 cultivation may cause a too late growth that does not fully ripen be- 

 fore winter. Heavy dressings of nitrogenous manures of the wrong 

 kind, or applied too late, may also result in injury, due to the imper- 

 fect ripening of the wood. About forty per cent, of our growers re- 

 port annual injury to buds. 



In selecting a soil, its situation must be considered, as well as its 

 physical qualities. Low situations are to be avoided, since cold air, 

 like cold water, will seek the lowest places. Southern and southeast- 

 ern slopes are likewise to be avoided wherever possible, since they 

 favor an early spring growth just in season to be nipped by the late 

 frosts. Other things being equal, a northern or northwestern expos- 

 ure is the best. 



THE PURCHASE AND SETTING OF TREES. 



A good beginning is half the battle. Very few growers bud their 

 own trees — they are generally purchased from local nurserymen. A 

 popular idea demands the use of "natural pits" for propagation. 

 Many nurserymen claim to use pits from this source, but the abund- 

 ance of the supply has been questioned. Downing and Thomas, in 

 their works, do not mention natural pits ; they do, however, lay much 

 stress upon the .selection of pits from healthy, vigorous orchards and 

 trees. Pits from diseased trees are believed to be a fertile source of 

 infection in a young orchard. Before setting, all trees should be care- 

 fully examined for root-gall, scale insects, etc. Prune before taking 

 to the field; remove all injured or bruised roots and burn the prun- 

 inars. 



