8 BULLETIN 162, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



stocks may make it possible to adopt more desirable varieties than 

 those named. All of these South China peaches are small, delicate, 

 and thin skinned, and consequently their use is limited to home con- 

 sumption or to local markets. 



Aside from these definite limitations as to varieties, the production 

 of peaches in the San Antonio region is subject to much the same 

 vicissitudes of climate as in any other peach-producing section. Yet 

 with good cultivation and particularly if the trees are planted well 

 apart, the use of a green-manure crop occasionally appears to be all 

 that is needed to maintain the fertility of the soil, and the various 

 insect pests and fungous diseases of the branches, leaves, and fruits are 

 subject to control by proper spraying. 



The net result of this test of peach varieties is to "demonstrate the 

 entire practicability of producing on every farm an abundant supply 

 of fruit of excellent quality for home and local consumption. As is 

 shown later (Table IV), these varieties ripen during a fairly long 

 period, beginning in the latter part of June and extending through 

 July and August. Furthermore, if it is desired, the peach season 

 may be materially lengthened by the use of other varieties, which, 

 though possibly somewhat less certain or less prolific, are still worth 

 planting. 



SEEDLING PEACHES FROM MEXICO. 



In addition to the collection of named varieties already discussed 

 a seedling orchard, 1 originally of about 500 peach trees, has been 

 grown and fruited with a view to the selection of varieties particularly 

 adapted to local conditions. (Fig. 3.) It was also hoped that this 

 orchard might yield seedlings better suited as stocks for budding with 

 named varieties than the stocks generally used by nurserymen. 



These seedlings have shown great diversity as regards vigor, 

 adaptability to local conditions, productiveness, time of ripening, 

 and quality of fruit. After having been fruited for four years, this 

 orchard shows at least 10 trees worthy of description, propagation, 

 and further study. The following trees, with descriptions, all but 

 one of which have been given Seed and Plant Introduction numbers, 

 are undoubtedly the best : 



(1) Distributed under S. P. I. Xo. 32372, classification, South China; fruit, medium 

 size, elliptical, unequal; cavity, large, regular, deep, with abrupt slope; suture, long 

 and deep; apex, long, crooked, pointed, and fleshy; color, pale green, blushed with 

 red; skin, medium thin and tender; flavor, sweet; quality, very good; freestone; 

 ripens the latter part of June; tree vigorous and a good bearer. 



1 The seed from which these trees were produced was collected in Mexico by Mr. Gilbert Onderdonk 

 under the direction of the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction. They are listed under S. P. I. 

 Nos. 9320 and 9321. For the early history of this orchard see Bureau of Plant Industry Circular 34, entitled 

 "The Work of the San Antonio Experiment Farm in 1908," by F. B. Headiey and S. H. Hastings, issued 

 July 22, 1909. 



