THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 1G5 



Bometimes accompanied by frosty nights; these are a sure and certain 

 cure for valuable, tender peaches. Our seedlings, however are habit- 

 uated, as it were, to this kind of thing, and do not appear to mind it. 



Again, the present state and condition of our people, as to their 

 tastes and abilities, are very unsatisfactory as far as improved fruit- 

 growing is concerned. As a general thing in our country towns and 

 villages people are in their elements as respects refined living, and 

 many of them liave their abilities sufficiently taxed to secure the bare 

 necessaries of life. Their tastes are generally uncouth and their 

 appreciation of objects of luxury in many cases very rude, especially 

 when it applies to fruit. Notwithstanding all these varied discourage- 

 ments, (and what business is entirely without them,) in good fruit 

 products we are perfectly astonished at the demand annually manifested 

 lor it by the people. Our people are in their transition at present; they 

 are being educated, as it were, in these matters, and the demand for 

 improved peaches and good fruits generally is annually widening, and 

 becoming gradually more general. A very short time ago thousands 

 living in these western counties of Ontario never saw a Crawford 

 peach, but now what a change at every exhibition; many are placed 

 on the tables, and every country youngster is thoroughly acquainted 

 with not only tlieir appearance but much rather with their flavor too. 

 It would be a great blessing to us could we successfully persuade 

 more to grow them, so that the temptation to low and miserable 

 pilfering and night raiding our fine fruit orchards should be reduced 

 to a minimum. To our shame, in this country, every man or boy has 

 a right to whatever he can get hold of in the shape of fruit. You will 

 observe that I have said nothing of our city markets, as my experience 

 there is so slight ^lat it would not really warrant me in doing so; let 

 others more familiar give us their experience in this respect. You 

 will also notice, that whenever I have spoken of improved peaches I 

 liave mentioned the Crawford, meaning Crawford's Early as the re- 

 presentative of all good peaches, and the golden head of the list. 



In conclusion, I beg to remark that the model peach for our markets 

 must be large in size, rounded and plump in form. It must be highly 

 colored, deep-yellow, mottled and striped with bright-red 'at least on one 

 side, and must be yellow in flesh and rich and melting in flavor; ex- 

 actly fulfilled by a properly grown Crawford. I maintain, that as this 

 peach properly fiUs the bill, all other peaches ^vill be successful in our 



