40 



killed by a temperature of 10 degrees below zero, but it is prob- 

 able that in such cases they have been caused to swell by warm 

 winter days. Just what temperatures will bring this about 

 is uncertain, but a maximum of 45 degrees or higher for two 

 or three days will often have an appreciable effect. During 

 November or December high temperatures will have no effect, 

 as may be learned if one will bring peach twigs into a warm 

 room and put them in a jar of water. In early winter the 

 buds M'ill not respond, while in midwinter, or later, they will 

 in a few days come into full bloom. The date of completing 

 this resting period depends on many things. It is desirable to 

 have it continue as long as possible and to this end we may 

 encourage the trees to grow reasonably late in the fall. Vari- 

 eties differ greatly in bud hardiness, and Greensboro seems 

 hardiest of the common varieties. Carmen and Champion are 

 hardier than the average, while Elberta is very tender in bud. 



Air temperature varies greatly with the local elevation, and 

 it follows that peach trees should be planted only on elevated 

 sites. If possible one should choose a site 200 or 300 feet 

 above the stream level of the locality, with free outlet for 

 the downward flow of cold air, and without broad slopes above 

 which may cool the air so that it will flow down over the 

 orchard. At the same time it is important to avoid sites 

 exposed to sweeping winds. In Massachusetts one should be 

 careful about planting peaches more than 1,200 feet above sea 

 level. 



Open expanses of water serve to modify extreme winter 

 cold, and therefore locations near the open ocean should be 

 less subject to harmful winter temperatures though they may 

 be somewhat objectionable for other reasons. Still the writer 

 believes that the region about Buzzards Bay and portions of 

 Cape Cod ought to be favorable for peach growing. 



Direct means for preventing the winter-killing of peach 

 buds are of rather small practical value. Keeping the trees 

 thoroughly whitened during December and January by spray- 

 ing with whitewash has been recommended and it is often 

 quite effective. , The writer hesitates to express an opinion of 

 its practical value in Massachusetts, but it is worth experi- 

 menting with. Small trees may be covered with corn stalks 



