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spring till midsummer or later. For this reason peach orchards 

 on steep slopes are generally undesirable on account of the soil 

 washing that is apt to occur. In July or early August a cover 

 crop should be sown. It is impossible to say what crop is 

 best further than that it should fxu-nish the largest possible 

 amount of organic matter to plow under in the spring. The 

 trees should grow fairly late in the fall so they may not com- 

 plete the resting period too soon, yet it is important that the 

 leaves fall and the wood ripen up before the cold days of 

 November come. It is probable that a good cover crop on 

 the soil as the trees go into the winter is helpful in securing 

 the bud hardiness that is so important in Massachusetts. 



Peach orchards require more fertilization than apple orchards. 

 Barnyard manure in moderate quantity is good, but it is 

 often unobtainable. Of the chemical fertilizers, nitrogen- 

 carrying materials are most often of benefit and nitrate of soda 

 has given good results. The amount to use will depend on 

 the soil. Generally 4 pounds per mature tree will be profitable. 

 Nitrogen, especially in liberal amounts, will delay ripening of 

 the fruit, which may or may not be desirable. It will cause 

 the tree to grow late in the season, which, if not overdone, 

 will favor hardiness to cold. 



Phosphoric acid has not generally proved of benefit to 

 peach trees, but it is often helpful to the cover crop and its 

 use may be justified on that account. 



Potash alone is sometimes profitable, but has generally 

 given better results when used' with nitrogen and possibly 

 phosphoric acid. 



The leading shoots of a bearing peach tree ought to make a 

 growth, of 12 to 20 inches each season, and if they are not 

 doing this an application of 2 to 4 pounds per tree of nitrate 

 of soda is likely to prove profitable. The peach owner is advised 

 in such cases to try it with and without potash and phosphoric 

 acid and judge if the use of the last two is profitable. The 

 amount of acid phosphate should be 2 to 4 pounds per tree, and 

 muriate or sulphate of potash 1 to 2 pounds per tree. It is 

 best to use rather small amounts until one is satisfied that 

 that particular element is needed; then it may be increased 

 to the limit of profit. 



