VARIETIES. 165 



York, and keep a third and better one at home. So in 

 peaches. A few years ago, it was thought there was no 

 peach fit to preserve but the Heath Cling, and none fit to 

 can but the white-fleshed ; but now it is admitted that 

 several others may be preserved ; and, for canning, yellow 

 peaches have superseded white ones almost entirely. But 

 whatever is most in demand, brings the best price ; and, 

 as the planter plants for profit, that is his ultimate aim, 

 and must not be overlooked. 



If there is demand for canning at home, he will do well 

 to ascertain what varieties bring the highest prices at the 

 canning establishments, and whether the demand is suffi- 

 cient to influence or control his planting. If not, or only 

 to a limited extent, he will then consider the requirements 

 of the markets to which his fruit is to be sent, and pro- 

 vide for these. 



Our directions here can only be of a general character, 

 and must always be considered with reference to what we 

 have already said of climate, soil and local circumstances. 

 One thing we wish to impress upon young planters espe- 

 cially : It is, not to plant too many varieties. In no case 

 should they exceed twenty ; in most, twelve will be 

 enough; and in some, six will be better than twelve. 

 What these shall be will depend upon the circumstances 

 we have already .referred to. 



The different varieties of the peach are distinguished 

 by their leaves, blossoms and fruit, and sometimes by 

 the branches and general contour of the head. On enter- 

 ing an orchard, the practiced eye of the skillful nursery- 

 man or planter will be able to distinguish familiar varie- 

 ties at a glance, in the absence of both flowers and 

 foliage. But he may not be able to explain satisfactorily 

 why he can do so ; it is a similar power to the one that 

 enables the shepherd to distinguish the sheep of his flock, 

 although to a stranger they all seem alike. 



The most striking difference in the leaves of the peach 



