Peach Propagation, 231 
The superior warmth of such soils is supposed to minister to 
earlier ripening of the fruit, though the escape from cold air by 
elevation is no doubt a greater factor to the end. 
The influence of comparatively slight difference in eleva- 
tion is very marked. E. R. Thurber, of Pleasant’s Valley, 
Solano County, has a plat of peach trees on a natural terrace 
about seventy-five feet higher than the general level of his 
orchard. On the terrace his peaches ripen and are disposed of 
before the same varieties ripen in the orchard below. 
As in the valley a short distance to water is to be avoided, 
soon the hills too great percolation from higher levels is unde- 
sirable. Of course natural defects of this kind can be corrected 
by adequate under-drainage. 
Still, though such be the general soil conditions best suited 
to the peach, the tree can be well grown for home use or local 
markets on somewhat heavier soil, providing there is good 
drainage, but drainage must be insisted upon, for thousands of 
trees have perished during the last few years because planted in 
retentive soils without drainage. Alkaline soils should, how- 
ever, be avoided, as the peach, when grown on its own roots, 
seems to be of all fruits inost sensitive to alkali. 
As to exposures for the peach the same rules hold as for 
other fruits which are liable to injury when in bloom or young 
foliage. Thus low places where cold air settles should be 
avoided, also low gulches thrcugh which cold drafts prevail. In 
frosty situations an incline away from the morning sun will 
often allow the trees to escape serious injury. 
PROPAGATION AND PLANTING. 
The chapter on propagation gives the general method of 
growing and budding peach seedlings. In selecting pits, pref- 
erence is usually given to those from strong-growing, yellow 
peaches, at least for working on the same colored truit, while 
others use pits of the Morris White, others the Strawberry, and 
others still will use only pits from vigorous seedling trees’ In 
this State-the peach is usualiy so healthy and vigorous, and the 
“yellows” not known, and less care may be needed in selecting 
pits; still, there is certainly nothing lost by making every effort 
for a good stock. 
The hard-shell sweet almond has long been used as a stock 
for the peach. It is held that it gives a hardier, stronger root, 
in dry soils especially. 
When it is desired to grow the peach on moister soil than 
suits its own roots, the St. Julian plum is used. The Myrobalan 
has been used to some extent, but experience generally does not 
favor this stock. 
