STONE FRUITS 473 



them low. But if the soil conditions are not good, then two-year trees are 

 to be preferred, as the one-year trees will not usually form as good heads 

 under poor soil conditions. Locally grown trees are always to be preferred 

 if one can get good stock. They come fresher, the freight is less and it is 

 easier to adjust differences with the nurseryman. On the other hand, there 

 is probably nothing in the idea that either northern grown or southern 

 grown stock is to be preferred. Southern stock will do just as well in the 

 North, or northern grown in the South, if it can be landed at the orchard 

 in good condition. 



Varieties. — The variety question is always important and always 

 difficult to decide. It can generally be decided best by referring to local 

 authorities, but a few general considerations are worth keeping in mind. 



A Typical Peach-Orchard Site, Allegheny Mountain District, Morgan 



County, W. Va. 1 

 Good air drainage and proper exposure are important. 



With peaches the important considerations are color of flesh, color of 

 skin, quality, juiciness, whether they are clingstone or free, hardiness of 

 fruit buds and season of ripening. There is a very strong prejudice (it is 

 nothing more) in favor of yellow-fleshed peaches, especially for canning. 

 It is best to respect this prejudice if possible, but many varieties which are 

 leaders in all other respects have white flesh. It is often possible to educate 

 consumers locally on this matter of color and convince them that in many 

 cases the white varieties are to be preferred, but in the general market one 

 is almost certain to be most successful with yellow sorts. Quality and 

 juiciness are always desirable, though from the commercial standpoint 

 the latter can be overdone, as very juicy peaches do not ship as well. 

 Clingstones are never as popular, but some of the best commercial sorts 

 among the early varieties are clings or semi-clings. Hardiness in the fruit 



1 From Farmers' Bulletin 431, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



