204 



THE PEACH ORCHARD 



year. The peaches planted at the top of the hill will be far less 

 subject to spring frost than those in the valley. A very gentle 

 slope as in figure 130 may be sufficient. 



It is more important to have the peach crop grown on the 

 northeast slope than with any other orchard trees. The first few 

 warm days on a southern slope may warm the soil enough to force 

 the trees into blossom. As the blossoms have no protection from 

 the leaves, as in the case of the apple they are more easily killed. 



Fig. 130. — A peach orchard in Massachusetts, two years old. Boston Marrow squash 

 vines growing between the rows. Use inter-cropping only while trees are young. (Photo 

 from F. C. Sears.) 



In nearly all climates the peach tends to open its buds even 

 with a few warm days in January, February or March before 

 winter is really over. In northern exposures the soil remains cold 

 and the sap is not forced into circulation through the tree enough 

 to cause the buds to open. The fruit is therefore not so likely to be 

 killed if the blossoms do not show before spring weather has come 

 to stay. 



Peach Soils. — The peach will thrive well on rather light soils 

 (Fig. 131). Soils very heavy in clay are not well adapted to peach 

 growing. The peach prefers soils that are warmed quickly and 



