VARIETIES. 163 



now well established fact that climate, soil and position 

 greatly affect the value of particular varieties. That 

 what may be exceedingly valuable in one latitude, may be 

 almost worthless in another ; that what may be first-class 

 in a "light, sandy soil, may be third-rate in a clayey one ; 

 that what may be a hardy, productive tree in a sheltered 

 yard, may be tender or barren when exposed in an open 

 orchard. To all these tests the new candidate for public 

 favor should be subjected. If it pass them all satisfac- 

 torily, it may, and ought to, be received, and placed upon 

 the list of approved varieties, but not before, for great 

 injury and loss have resulted from the extensive planting 

 of highly praised, but poorly tested, varieties ; and it is 

 time planters should give this matter their attention. 

 There has been too much laxity in the past ; let there be 

 more care in the future. 



We have alluded, incidentally, to the difference of lati- 

 tude in determining the value of a variety. We now fur- 

 ther remark that it often determines the incidental local 

 value of the same variety. Take, for instance, the Amsden's 

 June, which is the earliest variety of which we have any 

 knowledge — certainly the earliest one in general cultiva- 

 tion. Between the extreme limits, north and south, of 

 the peach bearing district in our own country, there is at 

 least two months^ difference in the time of its ripening. 



In Florida, the middle of June; in New York, the 

 middle of August. Now, for the South, you want the 

 earliest variety that can be had, in order to be first in 

 market ; but it does not necessarily follow that you want 

 the same variety for the North, and for this reason : Very 

 early and very late varieties, as a rule, are not the best, 

 but, because of the season of their ripening, they com- 

 mand high prices, and are, therefore, profitable. Take 

 the New York market for an illustration. This market 

 opens about the twenty-fifth of July with Hal^s Early, 

 but the ueaches have been grown on the Delaware Penin- 



