168 PEACH CULTTJKE. 



We have already cautioned the young planter against 

 the common error of planting too many varieties. We 

 shall now proceed to advise him what varieties he should 

 select. And here we wish still further to remark, that 

 some varieties do very well in certain localities, and very 

 ill in others. For instance, Amsden's June, one of the 

 very early varieties, is a great favorite in some localities, 

 while in others it is viewed with distrust. There may he 

 reason in both instances, as some localities may suit it, 

 while others do not. 



But experience has proved that some varieties do well 

 almost in any place, whatever may he the soil or climate: 

 that wherever the Peach will succeed at all, they will; 

 and these may justly be regarded as- the most reliable and 

 valuable of all for general cultivation. Preeminent among 

 these are the Crawfords and Old Mixon. They are the 

 very highest type of the white and yellow varieties, re- 

 spectively ; and years of experience, in all parts of our 

 country, place them at the very head of the list. 



From authentic sources, embracing in territory more 

 than twenty States, and in variety more than fifty sorts, 

 we have, at some pains, prepared the following tables, 

 which show, at a glance, general results. But it must be 

 remembered that the merits of any given variety are not 

 determined for one reason, but for many; and that a 

 peach of the finest flavor may take a low grade, while one 

 of very poor flavor may rank high. What is sought, and 

 what makes the character, is a combination of many 

 virtues. The largest number of these virtues gives the 

 highest rank. A peach may be of excellent flavor, but a 

 poor bearer ; it may be a good bearer, but subject to rot, 

 or the crop may not ripen. It may be a good bearer, may 

 ripen a crop of fine flavored fruit, but so small that they 

 will not sell, and, in consequence, it goes down to the foot 

 of the list. Vigor and productiveness of the tree, and 

 size, color, and richness of the fruit, is the summit of the 



