322 THE FLORIST AND 



so old that I can find no one to tell me their age exactly, which are grow- 

 ing on the north side of some high buildings, models of health and produc- 

 tiveness. 



Theory confirms this view of the proper site for Peach trees, as well as 

 observation; not being a native of this country, it is like most exotics, not 

 perfectly adapted to our climate. The sap vessels of the wood are large, 

 and there is a large amount of moisture stored up in them, in the winter 

 season. Science has shown that when these vessels are frozen through, 

 they become particles of ice, any sudden thaw is apt to burst the cell tissues, 

 if the expansion by the act of freezing alone does not do so ; so that trees 

 in situations where they are not liable to be suddenly thawed in winter, are 

 more liable to escape injury. In the respect of soil, the Peach is not so 

 fastidious as it is often supposed to be. Any loose kind of loam will suit 

 it. I have seen as fine and productive Peach trees in " Pennsylvania clay," 

 as in " Jersey sand." In a red clay loam, on a subsoil of rotten shaly 

 rock, I have noted splendid specimens. In each, it is more easy to point 

 out what soils are ill adapted for Peach culture, than what is the best ; and 

 the whole subject may be summed up in the observation, that the. Peach 

 will do well in any soils except heavy clays, or soils very retentive of 

 moisture. 



Having dismissed the questions of aspect and soil, we may talk a little 

 on the preparation of the ground. If it be of a nature to get very dry 

 in summer time, it should be trenched eighteen inches in depth, if the piece 

 to be planted is small ; and subsoil ploughed, if their culture is to be car- 

 ried on to a large extent. Sandy soils will not require this operation, be- 

 cause they retain moisture a long time, a few inches below the surface, 

 though on the ground such soils soon become hot and dry ; all strong 

 manures are superfluous, if not injurious ; wood ashes, and in some cases, 

 lime in small quantity, I have found beneficial. 



The selection of hinds to plant is difficult, if we will have only the best ; 

 if we seek merely good standard varieties, it is a very simple affair. In the 

 Philadelphia markets the Early York, Crawford Early, Crawford Late, 

 Morris White, and Morris Red, with occasionally, the Heath and George 4th, 

 probably comprise three fourths of all the named kinds offered there. If 

 I were to select twelve varieties for myself, I should take for the two best 

 early Crawford's Early, and Druid Hill : next, early George 4th, Haines 

 Early, and Morris Red ; next succeeded by Morris jWhite and Cooledge's 

 Favorite ; Crawford's Late and Ward's Late coming in after these : and the 

 amirable, Late Heath, and the Oldmixon Free winding up the list, and the 



