Chapter III. 



LOCATING THE ORCHARD. 



Before writing this book, among other questions to 

 which I requested answers from prominent growers, was, 

 "What is the best soil for a peach-orchard, and what is 

 the best location as to hill, valley, etc. ?" Answers to 

 these questions will be found under the proper head. 

 Here, I wish to give my own opinions. The peach- 

 orchard should be on land as nearly level in all parts as 

 possible, to give an average crop. Peaches do not, as a 

 rule, do well on hill-sides, and, although in valleys they 

 often bear abundantly and freely of the finest fruit, yet 

 in them they are much more susceptible to death from 

 frost, mature their wood too rapidly, and are apt to shed 

 their fruit at some time in the season and be deficient in 

 color. On hill-sides, as a rule, the trees do not thrive, 

 and the fruit lacks all good points, except, perhaps, 

 color. I like water, fresh or salt, especially fresh, near 

 an orchard, and to the north, east or west of it, and it is 

 better if the orchard be on a peninsula. I especially 

 like water to the north and to the west, for freezing is a 

 warming process, paradoxical as it may appear, and the 



