THE PEACH 79 



prices will be obtained there, the cost of transportation 

 being less, and the fruit will give the best satisfaction 

 because the quality is much better than anything that 

 can be put into the market from a distance. 



THE ORCHARD 



The peach orchard should be located on high land 

 with a full exposure to the west, northwest or north- 

 east, but not to the south, unless on the top of a hill 

 with full exposure to air. The soil may be a sandy 

 loam, clay loam or even of clay, if it is thoroughly 

 underdrained and is not too much enriched before the 

 trees come into bearing, but the ideal soil is a light 

 one of good strength, with a clay subsoil and with many 

 small stones well mixed in it to give quick drainage 

 and to furnish the mineral food that is needed for 

 fruit of the best quality. Some of the best orchards in 

 the country are growing on very poor soil, and this 

 kind of soil has many advantages. It is cheap, the 

 trees do not make an overgrowth, but sufficient growth 

 can be made by the application of plant food, the buds 

 are hardier, the fruit is of better quality, bnt the cost 

 of growing is greater than on stronger land. 



Distance for Planting The distance the peach is 

 planted varies with the variety, the soil and the method 

 of pruning from 12x12 feet to 15x15 feet, or even 20x 

 20 feet. In some cases they are planted double thick, 

 one way, i. e., 7 1-2x15, 10x15, or 10x20 feet, and when 

 the trees begin to crowd so as to injure each other, one- 

 half of those in each row are cut out. This is a very 

 satisfactory way if the grower will act promptly and 

 cut out the surplus trees at the proper time. 



Trees for Planting Most growers prefer medium 

 or small trees (No. 2) for orchard planting, because 

 they cost less, the freight charges are less, there are 

 Konerally more dormant buds on the central shoot and 



