THE DIVERSIFIED FARM. 



In diversified farming- by irrigation lies the salvation of agriculture. 



PEACH CULTURE. 



The peach growing districts of the Un- 

 ited States are somewhat limited and the 

 crop is never equal to the market demand. 

 This insures goo pdrices and makes the 

 business of growing peaches very profitable. 

 In many cf the districts of the western 

 states peaches return an average of $400 to 

 $600 yearly from an acre. Some successful 

 growers report having harvested as high as 

 $1000. annually from well established 

 peach orchards. The trees usually stand 

 about fourteen feet apart making at least 

 160 good trees on an acre. These bear 

 from five to twenty boxes each and the 

 market seldom falls below fifty cents a box. 



Peaches can be grown for family use in 

 almost every state, but for planting a com- 

 mercial orchard the soil, climate and mar- 

 ket conditions should be favorable. The 

 trees will stand qold weather, making a 

 succecs in New York. Michigan, and all of 

 the northwest states. The site should be 

 protected as much as possible from cold 

 winter exposure and where the winds will 

 not have a strong force in destroying the 

 limbs Thin, sandy a*nd rocky soils will 

 give very good peach crops but it always 

 pays best to fertilize the lands. At plant- 

 ing time the land should be fertililed by 

 using plenty of potash, phosphoric acid 

 and nitrogen, and annual applications will 

 prove beneficial. 



There are several choice varities of 

 peaches for early medium and late crops. 

 In planting an orchard one must bear in 

 mind that fruits must be of good size, fine 

 color, excellent flavor and suitable for ship- 

 ping some distance and being displayed on 

 fruit stands. The old tested varieties 

 should therefore be selected and planted in 



preference to some new species that may 

 have only imaginary qualities. Alexander 

 Amsden, Rovers, Troth, Hale. Lcuis. St. 

 John, Mountain Rose, Crawford Early, 

 Foseer, Old Mixon, Stump. Elderta, Craw- 

 ford Late, Reeves, Wager, Fox Seedling 

 and Beers Smock are probably the best for 

 all seasons. Full descriptions of each may 

 be found in the nurserymen's price lists, 

 that every peach grower should have. 



The new idea of planting closely and 

 pruning the trees low and bunchy seems to 

 be the most profitable. Trees may be had 

 from nurserymen in sections near where an 

 orchard is to be planted, thus insuring 

 that they are acclimated. Two year old 

 trees are generally preferred as they have 

 better roots and can be pruned properly. 

 Peaches are heavy consumers of plant food 

 and therefore if the quantity is expected 

 to be large and quality good, liberal doses 

 of fertilizers mustpe annually applied; the 

 most economical plan is to furnish the 

 nitrogen by growing clover or cow peas be- 

 tween the rows the Potash and Phosphoric 

 Acid can be applied before the peas or clo- 

 ver are sown and worked in well; about 250 

 Ibs. Muriate of Potash and 400 Ibs. Acid 

 Phosphate per acre would make a fair app- 

 lication. Besides the nitrogen furnished 

 the ptas or clover keep the land well sup- 

 plied with organic matter, whieh is an 

 important matter. 



Peaches are generally marketed in 

 boxes weighing twenty pounds each. 

 These sell on the market for from fifty cents 

 to $2.00 according to the demand for the 

 fruits. They should be neatly packed and 

 of a uniform size and color. The orchard 

 may be made a success several miles from 

 a large city, if good transportation facilities 

 are at hand. If the peaches are hauled 



