FRUITS IN WEST VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, AND TENNESSEE. 55 



cities small orchards for supplying local trade are planted. No 

 large orchards have been observed. Small orchards are more numer- 

 ous in the northern part of this area than in the southern part. 



Sweet cherries have been grown with a moderate degree of success 

 for local market and home use in northern Kentucky and in West 

 Virginia, but their culture is attended with great difficulties. Far- 

 ther south thev are unproductive, besides being attacked by an 

 undetermined disease. Many varieties of sweet cherries are grown, 

 but they have not been observed sufficiently to determine their rela- 

 tive value. The Tartarian, Wood, Windsor, and Schmidt sweet 

 cherries have succeeded best. 



The sour cherries are grown to some extent in all parts of the area 

 and even on the higher altitudes in northern Alabama with a fair 

 degree of success. They are not as productive as in more northern 

 areas, however, and are recommended for home orchards and local 

 markets only. Two varieties are considered desirable by growers, 

 the Kichmond and Montmorency. These varieties may be grown on 



Fig. 29. — A York Imperial orchard on Apple Pie Ridge, at Gerrardstown, W. Va. This 

 orchard is 24 years old and has rarely missed a crop. 



any fertile soil in the area. The Kichmond begins to bear at an 

 earlier age than the Montmorency. On fertile clay soil near Knox- 

 ville in the East Tennessee Valley region at 3 years of age Rich- 

 mond was observed to be producing a small crop, while trees of the 

 Montmorency in the same orchard had not begun to bear. The fruit 

 of the Richmond begins to ripen about 10 days before that of the 

 Montmorency. It is not as large, is more juicy, and is not considered 

 as good for canning as the Montmorency. Both varieties are bright 

 red. They are usually found together in the same orchard in order 

 to extend the cherry season over as long a period as possible. 



PEACH VARIETIES. 



The peach ranks second among the three important fruit crops of 

 this area. While important in many sections of the area, the largest 

 center of its culture is in the upper Potomac Valley of West Vir- 

 ginia. This section is hilly and mountainous, and orchards located 

 on the higher points secure good air drainage. 



