219 

 Peach 



Peaches constitute one of the most important fruit crops of Illinois. 

 Though the production of large crops is dependent upon favorable 

 weather, the average annual production is large and of considerable value. 



Map 03 shows the status of peach-])roduction in Illinois in l!)li), as 

 indicated in the Census Reports of 1 !)•.'(); Map (>4 shows the distribution 

 of peach trees in the state in 192;? according to later U. S. Census figures. 

 The area of greatest production lies generally in the southern half of the 

 state below a line drawn east and west along the northern boundary of 

 Pike county. Within this region peach-production is intensified in cer- 

 tain areas. One such area is along the Mississippi from Pike county 

 south through St. Clair county. A second includes especially Marion 

 and Jefferson counties, and a third the three extreme southern tiers of 

 counties. This last area is by far the most important, since it includes 

 Union county, with its tremendously large production, and Jackson and 

 Johnson counties. Union, Marion, and Jackson are the most important 

 peach-producing counties in the state. 



According to the ]!)2() census there were within the state a total of 

 1,851,037 peach trees, of which 1,011,325 were reported to be of bearing 

 age. Many of the remaining 800,000 and upwards will have come into 

 bearing since then, and it is probable that the regions of important pro- 

 duction will have been altered so as to correspond more directly with tree 

 distribution, as shown on Map Gi. In general, the large commercial area 

 remains the same, but with a marked northward extension along the 

 Illinois River. The total number of trees is reported to be distributed 

 over 55,908 farms or 23.6 per cent of the farms of the state. 



During 1912-1921, inclusive, the peach-production of the state ranged 

 from 70,000 bushels (valued at $281,000) in 1921 to 1,998,000 bushels 

 (valued at $2,297,000) in 1913, the yearly average for the decade being 

 estimated at 724,500 bushels, valued 'at $1,543,000. 



Hkown Rot 

 Caused by Sdcrotiiiia ciiicrca (Bon.) Schroet. 



This disease, though sometimes attacking pomaceous fruits, is ])ri- 

 marily a disease of the stone fruits. It is by far the most serious peach 

 disease in Illinois and is nio.st injurious to the fruit, causing large losses 

 not only in the orchard, but also when the fruit is in storage or in transit. 

 Under favorable circumstances the brown-rot fungus may cause a blos- 

 som-blight and a twig-blight; and less fre(|uently, cankers on limbs. 



The early history of this disease in Illinois is not known, I'rubablv 

 it is coextensive with peach-growing. Piurrill recorded its occurrence in 

 1911 in 3 counties, Chamjjaign, Montgomery, and LInion, with the note 

 that there was little injury that season because of unfavorably dry 

 weather. 



