278 THE PEACH. 



ripened, and incapable of being matured, with the roots in an un 

 drained, cold, or wet soil, is too often regarded as thrifty, when in 

 truth it is but the expression of a false stimulant, as in the human 

 frame, exciting only to destroy. 



The situation of a peach-orchard should, if possible, be upon high 

 ground, as less subject to extreme and severe changes of tempera- 

 ture, and as tending to more perfect maturity of wood in Fall of 

 year, and later period of blooming in Spring. If the trees are low- 

 branched and well shortened-in, supplied with requisite inorganic ele- 

 ments in the soil, the lay of the land to the east, south, or north, will 

 only affect the time of ripening the fruit ; that to the south maturing 

 about one week earlier than that toward the north. Elevated situa- 

 tions, surrounded by, or bordering on, bodies of water, will often fur- 

 nish fruits when adjacent valleys fail; and this is especially true where 

 the bodies of water do not entirely freeze over during Winter, the 

 southern shores of several of our lakes rarely failing to produce 

 peaches, when the entire crop is destroyed five or ten miles back in 

 the interior. Even slight knolls often protect the crop, an instance 

 of which we had in our own grounds, where trees were disiant only 

 thirty feet ; in one night all of the buds upon the lower limbs, or 

 more than half way up, being destroyed on the tree standing on what 

 would be termed the level, while on the tree on the knoll not one was 

 injured. 



The destruction of buds by extreme cold in the Winter is of rare 

 occurrence, except the tree has been excited by a season of warm 

 weather, or has been grown in the manner called " thrifty," previously 

 noted. Where trees are steadily and healthily grown, they are 

 capable of withstanding 20 to 25 below zero without injury, unless 

 immediately followed by clear, warm sun, or the tree being in an 

 immature, unhealthy state. 



Season to Transplant. Throughout the Northern and Western 

 States it is best to transplant the Peach in the Spring. South or 

 Southwest, Fall or mid-winter may be best ; but from remarks of 

 many writers, we incline to the belief, that early in March or the last 

 of February is best, as they occasionally have some severe changes 

 in January, very trying to newly planted trees. The ground should 

 always be planted in the Fall. 



Cultivation. The ground about peach trees should always be kept 

 clean ; if planted on light, sandy soil, running through an orchard 

 with a cultivator so as not to break the roots ; if upon rich prairie or 

 limestone soils, the ground may be plowed and cropped without in- 

 jury ; but on the sandy, light soil, no crop except the white turnip 

 should ever be grown, and that pays best to be turned under by a 

 very shallow plowing, of say two inches deep. On rich, deep prairie 

 soils, it is best not to stir the ground after mid-summer. 



