SOILS SUITABLE FOR PEACH GROWING 237 



underlying rock is loose and open, permeable by roots and affording 

 escape for water. Success has been reported even when holes are 

 partly excavated in these rotten rocks as in the soft sand rock on 

 the hills east of Vaca Valley, or in the broken chalk rock in what 

 is called Blackburn Gulch, near Santa Cruz. The superior warmth 

 of such soils is supposed to minister to earlier ripening of the fruit, 

 though the escape from cold air by elevation is no doubt a greater 

 factor to the end. 



The influences of comparatively slight difference in elevation is 

 very marked. E. R. Thurber, of Pleasant Valley, Solano County, 

 had for many years a plat of peach trees on a natural terrace about 

 seventy-five feet higher than the general level of his orchard. On 

 the terrace peaches ripen and are disposed of before the same 

 varieties ripen in the orchard below. 



As in the valley a short distance to water is to be avoided, so 

 on the hills too great percolation from higher levels is undesirable. 

 Of course, natural defects of this kind can be corrected by adequate 

 under-drainage. 



Still, though such be the general soil conditions best suited to the 

 peach, the tree can be well grown for home use or local markets 

 on somewhat heavier soil, providing there. is a good drainage, but 

 drainage must be insisted upon, for thousands of trees have perished 

 because planted in retentive soils without drainage. Alkaline soils 

 which are usually rather heavy should, however, be avoided as the 

 peach, when grown on its own roots, seems to be of all fruits most 

 sensitive to alkali. 



As to exposures for the peach the same rules hold as for other 

 fruits which are liable to injury when in bloom or young foliage. 

 Thus low places where cold air settles should be avoided, also low 

 gulches through which cold drafts prevail. In frosty situations an 

 incline away from the morning sun will often allow the trees to escape 

 serious injury. 



PROPAGATION AND PLANTING 



The chapter on propagation gives the general method of growing 

 and budding peach seedlings. In selecting pits, preference is usually 

 given to those from strong-grownig, yellow peaches, at least for 

 working on the same colored fruits, while others use pits of the 

 Morris White, others the Strawberry, and others still will use only 

 pits from vigorous seedling trees. In this State the peach is usually 

 so healthy and vigorous, and the "yellows" not known, and less care 

 may be needed in selecting pits ; still there is certainly nothing lost 

 by making every effort for a good stock. 



The hard-shell sweet almond has long been used as a stock for 

 the peach. It is held that it gives a hardier, stronger root, in dry 

 soils especially. 



When it is desired to grow the peach on moister soil than suits 

 its own roots, the St. Julian plum may be used. The Myrobalan 



