ORCHARD PRACTICES NECHSSARY FOR GOOD PEACH PRODUCTION 



lest G. 

 Rutgeri 



Ernest G. Christ, Extension Poiiiologist 

 "s University, New Jersey 



The peach industry is now and has been a stable segment of 

 the agriculture in New Jersey. The industry dates back to the 

 early 1600 's. Extensive orchards were planted by 1650 and the 

 industry grew until 1890 when there were over 4 million trees in 

 the state. Production per tree was low since there were only 

 775,000 bushels produced in 1890. Production improved as pest 

 control became a more standard practice and in 1920 from about 

 million trees the production was 2.1 million bushels. 



o 



The 1977 tree survey shows a total of all trees to be slightly 

 over 1 million with about 200,000 in the 1-3 year age. Today the 

 tree numbers are probably a bit above the 1977 survey figures based 

 on observations of tree planting in 1979 and 1980. 



Production for the state in 1980 is estimated at about 2-1/2 

 million bushels. Production usually varies from 2 to 2-1/2 million 

 bushels annually. The most recent above-average crop was in 1971 

 when it exceeded 3 million bushels on the trees, and the poorest 

 crop in more than 40 years was in 1972 when only 500,000 bushels 

 were recorded. 



Geographical location of New Jersey is especially suited to 

 peach growing as evidenced by the fact that the most recent freeze- 

 out of tlie entire crop and severe tree killing occurred in the 1934- 

 35 winter. Few if any other peach producing areas in the country 

 have been as fortunate. 



Serious Problems and Solutions 



There are serious growing and production problems and there is 

 constant change in growing, harvesting, handling and packing. 



Tlie short life of peach trees is being discussed in grower meet- 

 ings and this is a problem in New Jersey as well as Georgia, South 

 Carolina, Michigan and several other areas of peach growing. V/e 

 have recommended and growers are following procedures for increasing 

 the vigor, health and life of the tree. 



1 



Talk presented at the Annual Summer Meeting of the Massachusetts 

 Fruit Growers' Association, Inc., July 10, 1980. 



