220 ORCHARD CROPS 



on the sides of the hills, and perhaps only zero at the top. This 

 is due to the fact that the cold, heavy atmosphere settles down to 

 the lowest places, while the warm, light atmosphere is forced up- 

 ward towards the hilltops. For the same reason, frost often 

 kills vegetation of the early spring in the valleys, while plants 

 on the ridges and hills will be uninjured. 



Some of the leading peach-producing States are the Lake States, 

 the Gulf States, Southern States, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, 

 New Mexico, Colorado, California, Delaware, and New Jersey. 

 There are probably nearly two hundred million peach trees grown 

 in the United States and Canada. 



There are two general classes of peaches: (1) the soft or free- 

 stone peaches, and (2) the plum or clingstone peaches. 



Peaches are propagated by budding and are grafted upon seedling 

 stocks. In transplanting, the trees are set twenty feet apart each 

 way, as a rule, and this will require one hundred and eight trees to 

 the acre. When they are set only fifteen feet apart, one hundred 

 and ninety-three trees to the acre will be required. 



Peaches are eaten raw, and are also used in making pies, brandy, 

 preserves, and in canning. Many peaches are also dried, or evapo- 

 rated, and are placed on the market in this form. 



Nectarines. The nectarine is simply a peach having a per- 

 fectly smooth skin. The tree has the same pink flowers and the 

 same shaped leaves as the ordinary peach. The nectarine is 

 very susceptible to the attacks of the curculio and the peach- 

 tree borer, and must have close attention if success is expected. 

 Like the peach, it requires a soil of only moderate fertility. Lime, 

 potash, and phosphates are the elements on which the tree draws 

 largely, and hence applications of bone dust and wood ashes will 

 be found helpful to the soil. 



The Plum. The plum tree is probably a native of Asia, but 

 the numerous varieties now grown in this country come from 

 three species: One was found growing in North America when 

 the early explorers discovered the mainland, another was brought 

 from China and Japan, and a third one from Europe. The 

 plum is a near relative of the peach, but is distinguished from 

 it by its beautiful white flowers, its size, its smooth-skinned fruit, 

 and in many other particulars. 



