HANDBOOK OF CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURE. fa 



The fruit-growers of the State have discovered that they 

 are near the most valuable markets for their products in the 

 United States ; also that the soil and climate are adapted to 

 growing the finer varieties ; that it only needs attention to 

 business to produce those that bring the highest price when 

 marketed, and that there is ready sale for all that can be 



grown. 



A. G. GULLEY, 



Professor of Horticulture, Conn. Agricultural College. 

 PEACHES. 



Commercial peach culture in Connecticut, although a com- 

 paratively new industry, is now a leading feature of our agri- 

 culture. 



From the earliest settlement, peaches have always been 

 grown for home supply ; the first commercial orchard of any 

 size was started in about 1875, more extensive orchards were 

 planted in the early eighties, and the first heavy impress 

 on the markets with Connecticut peaches was made in 1887 

 and 1889. Large size, great beauty, and fine flavor opened 

 the way for ready sale at high prices. Thousands of trees 

 were planted in the next few years, so that by 1896 there 

 were one million five hundred thousand trees in the orchards 

 of Connecticut, and now, five years later, there are over three 

 millions. 



Hartford, New Haven, Middlesex, and Fairfield counties 

 have the most trees in the order named, while Tojland, New 

 London, Windham, and Litchfield follow with a less number. 

 While a few townships in the State have but little land suit- 

 able for peaches, in nearly every township there are many 

 hundreds of acres suitable to profitable peach culture. 



The earliest large plantings were mostly on elevated fields 

 that had been used for mowing or tillage, but at this time, 

 for the sake of elevation and suitable frost and air drainage, 

 many acres of so-called abandoned farm lands on hillsides and 

 hilltops are being cleared of brush and timber and planted to 

 peaches ; lands that can be bought at from $10 to $20 per 



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