1914 REPORT ON THE FRUITS OF ONTARIO. 109 



The cultivation of peach orchards should be very thorough to produce vigorous 

 growth, as the proportion of strong new growth which is made, regulates to a large 

 extent the size of the crop, for peaches, unlike most other large fruits, are borne on 

 the wood made the previous year. 



Cover crops are very desirable in peach orchards, as the peach soils are usually 

 deficient in humus which cover crops supply, and the latter protect the roots of the 

 trees in winter, thus lessening the danger from root killing. As peach trees when in 

 full bearing draw heavily on the potash in the soil, a good application of unleached 

 ashes every two or three years is beneficial, and muriate of potash and bone meal applied 

 at the rate of about 200 pounds per acre each, annually, should do much good, especially 

 when barnyard manure cannot be obtained. 



Where it can be managed, it usually pays well to thin peaches on the tree. This is 

 done when they are about the size of small hickory nuts, the peaches being left from 

 four to six and even eight inches apart on the branches. 



It requires judgment to know just when to pick a peach, as much will depend upon 

 the distance it is to be shipped. When intended for immediate consumption, no one is 

 likely to pick a peach until it is ready to eat, but for a distant market it must be still 

 firm, though well colored. Fruit which is picked on the green side never attains its 

 full flavor, and, unfortunately, much fruit of this class reaches the market, and it un- 

 doubtedly lessens the consumption of this fine fruit. Bruising of peaches should be 

 avoided, hence great care should be taken in handling them. 



VARIETIES RECOMMENDED. 



General List, approved by the Board o/ Control. 

 General List for Niagara District only. 



St. John, Early Crawford, Greensboro, Champion, *Brigdon or Garfield, Fitzgerald, 

 *Reeves, *Niagara, Elberta, Carmen, Beers Smock. 



*Very similar, and any of these varieties may be set, but all are not needed to cover 

 the season. 



DISTRICT LISTS. 



.' 



NIAGARA DISTRICT 



(Including the Niagara Peninsula from the Niagara River to Hamilton and n< 



to the escarpment). 



S. H. Rittenhouse, Jordan Harbour, 

 j 



St. John, Early Crawford, Fitzgerald, Elberta, Lemon Free, Beers Smock. 



J. W. Smith & Sons, Winona. 



Triumph (5); Leamington (5); St. John (15); Early Crawford (10); New Prolific 

 (10); Champion (5); Rareripe (10); Elberta (20); Late Crawford (5); Lemon Free 

 (10) ; Beers Smock (5). 



The figures refer to the percentage of each variety that this firm recommends for 

 planting. 



C. E. Fisher & Sons, Queenston. 



Commercial: Sneed (White), Triumph, Carman (White), St. John, Fitzgerald, 

 Jacques, Reeves, Niagara, Elberta, Late Crawford, Beers Smock. 



NOTE. The Triumph requires a rich, sandy loam, well fertilized every year with 

 well-rotted compost manure, applied during early winter, and in spring just before plow- 

 ing a heavy application of muriate of potash and pure bone. Proper pruning of tree 

 and thinning of fruit are essential. 



