56 BULLETIN 1189, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In Kentucky local centers are found near Bedford, Shepardsville, 

 Louisville, Bowling Green, and Covington. 



In Tennessee commercial peach centers are found near Cleveland, 

 Sale Creek, and Harriman. Many other points in these States have 

 commercial peach orchards from which fruit is shipped. Table 2, 

 on page 4, gives the stations shipping carloads of peaches in 1914, 

 1920, and 1921 and the number of cars shipped from each station. 



It is probable that the points at which large orchard developments 

 have taken place already are among the most advantageously located 

 for peach growing. Nevertheless, small commercial orchards have 

 demonstrated that peaches can be grown successfully throughout the 

 area, provided suitable sites are selected. The one exception seems 

 to be the Cumberland Plateau region, and yet even in this region 

 varieties are being developed that do fairly well. 



The large orchard developments have occurred where the transpor- 

 tation facilities are good and where the climatic conditions make 

 it possible to market certain well-selected varieties at particular 

 times. Thus, the upper Potomac Valley section can supply markets 

 with peaches immediately after the Georgia crop is harvested, and 

 because of its geographical location and railroad facilities the fruit 

 can be shipped to markets in all directions. 



The list of varieties found in the orchards of this area is very 

 large, covering almost the entire range of those widely grown in 

 the peach sections east of the Rocky Mountains. It includes also 

 varieties grown very little in any other regions, as well as several 

 originating within the area. Because of the extent of this list, the 

 names of only the well-known varieties with notes on some of their 

 important characteristics will be given here. Many varieties other 

 than those listed are, of course, grown in the commercial orchards, 

 but they do not stand out in the experience of a large number of 

 growers as being particularly valuable in this area. Some of these 

 may become leading varieties under different conditions or after 

 more extended testing. 



Growers in this area report that the market calls for yellow- 

 fleshed varieties and that white-fleshed peaches are not desirable 

 except for the early varieties. In addition to having yellow flesh, 

 a variety to be suitable for commercial orchards in this area should 

 be adapted to a wide range of soil types. If a variety of real merit 

 is extensively grown in different sections, the market will learn to 

 recognize it and will demand that variety. Thus, the Elberta is 

 adapted to a wide range of conditions, and its firmness and shipping 

 qualities are well known. Growers, buyers, and consumers all 

 understand how to handle this variety, and it has become a standard 

 peach of this area as well as of the country. Other desirable charac- 

 teristics of an ideal variety for this area are hardiness of the tree 

 and fruit buds and vigor and productiveness of the tree. Further, 

 the fruit should be medium to large in size, highly colored, firm 

 fleshed, high in dessert quality, and a freestone. If the skin is 

 rather thick, the peach will ship better than a thin-skinned variety. 

 The picking season of a standard peach should be short, as each 

 extra picking adds to the cost of harvesting. A peach ripening uni- 

 formly over its entire surface is more desirable than one which 

 softens on its suture ridge before being ready to pick. 



