86 Peach - Culture. 



not be profitable to set a great many varieties, but such as will follow each 

 other from the best early to the late sorts. It is only by actual experience 

 that one can know what particular varieties are best adapted to each section; 

 though this fruit does not seem to be so capricious in this respect as the 

 pear. Overcropping the trees should be carefully avoided ; for not only is 

 the fruit very small when too many are allowed to remain, but the trees are 

 permanently injured by the excessive task that is laid upon them. Every 

 person will, before planting extensively, naturally inquire as to the facilities 

 for getting the crop to market when grown ; or, if too far from market to 

 be sent in a fresh state, then what the facilities are in the neighborhood for 

 canning the fruit. 



The demand for and consumption of this healthful and delicious fruit 

 has largely increased, and prices have greatly advanced within a few years ; 

 so that the grower has been well paid for his labor and pains, after paying 

 all expenses of transportation and sale. And not only has the fruit met 

 a ready sale when sent in a fresh condition to market, but a brisk demand 

 has sprung up nearer home, where factories have been established for the 

 canning of fruits. This system has grown up rapidly, and has become a 

 very important branch of trade, and, though already large, is yet in its in- 

 fancy. Many at the East who cannot raise peaches will prefer to buy 

 them canned rather than to buy stale peaches in the market, and put them 

 up themselves ; one reason being, that the fruit is much better when left 

 to ripen on the tree than when taken in a hard, greenish state, and shipped 

 to a distant market. When the establishment for canning is conveniently 

 situated, the fruit may be allowed to attain a greater degree of perfection 

 before being put up. If the crop is larger than can be disposed of in any 

 other way, then drying may be resorted to, and though involving consider- 

 able labor, yet, at present prices, will pay well. But the chief reliance for 

 profit by those reasonably near a large city, and enjoying good facilities for 

 sending the crop to market, is to pack in crates, and send them fresh to the 

 consumer daily. When the grower can reach a good market at a reasona- 

 ble cost, this crop is one of the most profitable that can be grown, not 

 excepting, possibly, grapes. No branch of horticulture opens a wider field 

 than this ; and we confidently expect to see large tracts of country all 

 through the West and South-west devoted to peaches for canning and dry- 



