138 CROP PRODUCTION 



from European peach trees brought to Mexico or other 

 regions on the Pacific coast, by the Spaniards at the 

 time of their early invasions, several centuries ago. 



Site and Culture 



The Peach is a comparatively short-lived tree, but it 

 is easily propagated and begins to bear early. It is 

 grown from seed, the little seedHngs being budded within 

 a year of their sprouting and the trees being planted in 

 their permanent situation within a year of the time they 

 are budded. Light sandy loams are the best soils for 

 growing peaches, but great care must also be taken in 

 the selection of the site. Peaches are subject to winter 

 killing of trees and fruit buds by too low temperatures 

 and the buds and blossoms are subject to destruction by 

 frosts. Consequently the site must be one where the 

 winter temperature is not too severe and yet where the 

 spring warmth will not force the trees into blossom so 

 early that the opening buds will be blighted by frost. 



The areas in the United States especially favorable to 

 peach growing are limited by these requirements. Near 

 great lakes and sounds the winter climate is tempered 

 by the water, so that the winter is not so cold nor the 

 summer so hot, while spring comes on with moderation. 

 So it is natural that the Peach should flourish in such 

 regions, and we find great Peach orchards in southern 

 Michigan, northern Ohio, western New York, in Dela- 

 ware, Connecticut, and along the coast southward. 



In southern regions the winter climate is not severe, 

 and in elevations of a thousand feet or more the spring 

 comes more slowly then at sea level. So we find more 

 Peach orchards flourishing in the higher parts of Georgia, 



