SEASON TO TRANSPLANT — CULTIVATION. 265 



soil, in growing two successive crops of the same kind of tree upon 

 the same plot. 



A rank, luxuriant tree, with shoots spongy, sappy, plethoric, un- 

 ripened, and incapable of being matured, with the roots in an un- 

 draincd, c©ld, or wet soil, is too often regarded as thrifty, when in 

 truth it is but the expression of a false stimulant, as in the human 

 frame, exciting only to destroy. 



The situation of a peach-orchard should, if possible, be upon high 

 grounds, as less subject to extreme and severe changes of tempera- 

 ture, and as tending to more perfect maturity of wood in fall of year, 

 and later period of blooming in spring. If the trees are low-branched 

 and well shortened in, supplied with requisite inorganic elements in 

 the soil, the lay of the land to the east, south, or north will only 

 affect the time of ripening the fruit : that to the south maturing about 

 one week earlier than that toward the north. Elevated situations, 

 surrounded by, or bordering on, bodies of water, will often furnish 

 fruits when adjacent valleys fail ; and this is especially true where 

 the bodies of water do not entirely freeze over during winter: the 

 southern shores of several of our lakes rarely failing to produce 

 p 'aches when the entire crop is destroyed five or ten miles back in 

 file interior. Even slight knolls often protect the crop, an instance 

 of which we had in our own grounds, where trees were distant only 

 thirty feet ; in one night all of the buds upon the lower limbs, or 

 more than half way up, being destroyed on the tree standing on what 

 would be termed the level, while on the tree on the knoll not one 

 was injured. 



The destruction of buds by extreme cold in the winter is of rare 

 occurrence, except the tree has been excited by a season of warm 

 weather, or has been grown in the manner called " thrifty," pre- 

 viously noted. Where trees are steadily and healthily grown, they 

 are capable of wishstanding 20*^ to 25° below zero without injury, 

 unless immediately followed by clear, warm sun, or the tree being 

 in an immature, unhealthy state. 



Season to Transplant. — Throughout the northern and western 

 States it is best to transplant the Peach in the spring. South or 

 Southwest, flill or midwinter may be best — but from remarks of 

 many writers, we incline to the belief, that early in March or the 

 last of February is best, as they occasionally have some severe 

 changes in January, very trying to newly planted trees. The ground 

 should alway be prepared in the fall. 



Cultivation. — The ground about peach trees should always be 

 kept clean ; if planted on light, sandy soil, running through an or- 

 chard with a cultivator so as not to break the roots ; if upon rich 

 prairie or limescone soils, the ground may be plowed and cropped 

 ■without injury ; but on the sandy, light soil no crop except the white 

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