CULTURAL METHODS FOR THE PEACH, AND 

 MARKETING 



A. T. HENRY, WAKLINGFORD, CONN. 



CHOICE OF LOCATION 



The selection of the orchard site is one of the important points 

 in successful peach growing. If unsuitable, no amount of work 

 can make the orchard profitable. Under no conditions should 

 trees be planted on wet land, and often even hilltops and hillsides 

 are wet. If drains can be laid and other conditions are favorable, 

 such hinds can be used, provided they are not too steep for the 

 use of a spraying machine. Air drainage is just as important 

 as water drainage. An orchard located in a hollow is more 

 likely to be frozen in winter ; and, if it escapes, the fruit is likely 

 to l)e affected by fungous diseases. 



Large orchards should not be set out unless peach trees arp 

 known to bear fairly regular crops in the immediate vicinity; 

 often only five miles means the difference between good crops and 

 no fruit, especially if protection is afforded by a body of water. 

 Hillsides or elevated land is generally best for orchards, although 

 the same protection from frosts is often secured on level land by 

 a body of water. This is well illustrated by the growing of 

 peaches on comparatively low, level land in Michigan and on the 

 southern shores of Lake Ontario. Severe cold in winter is not 

 to be feared so much as late spring frosts after the buds are 

 started. 



Kxcessively rich land is not best for a peach orchard, for on 

 such land the trees will grow instead of bearing. Rather select a 

 poorer soil, and, by means of fertilizers and cover crops, produce 

 a tree that grows moderately and hears well. Some very profitable 

 orchards are located on thin gravelly and stony soils, or on very 

 light sandy land. 



If the proposed orchard site contains boulders or stumps, it is 

 best to remove them beforp the trees are planted and so avoid 

 breaking or injuring the young trees, accidents that are almost 

 H-rtain to occur if large rocks or stumps are removed after the 

 orchard is set. If the land is rough, it is often desirable to grow 



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