VARIETIES OF PEACHES. 51 



the flavor poorer, and the size smaller than when grown under the Piedmont condi- 

 tions. The last of September to early October is the harvest period, the exact time 

 being governed by the conditions under which it is grown. 

 Le Conte. 



Conditions which are favorable for the Kieffer and the Garber have generally 

 proved well suited to this variety. It is also growing on the deep red loam of north- 

 eastern Georgia at an altitude of 1,500 to 1,700 feet. The fruit develops well here, 

 but the trees have sometimes blighted considerably, though apparently no more 

 subject to blight than under other conditions of soil and elevation. Sometimes at 

 the more southern points harvesting is begun the last of July, but usually August to 

 early September covers the period. 

 Seckel. 



A small number of fruit growers in the northern portion of the Piedmont have 

 mentioned this variety, but its distribution in this region is very limited. It is said 

 to give good results on Cecil sandy loam and on the lower mountain slopes where the 

 soil approaches Porters sandy loam in texture. It has been reported favorably from 

 western North Carolina at 3,500 to 3,800 feet elevation; also at 1,100 feet it is said to 

 give satisfactory results. In the Virginia portion of the Piedmont region it is usually 

 picked the last of August to the middle of September. The tree appears to be less 

 subject to blight than many varieties are. 



PEACHES. 



Of the orchard fruits which are being grown in the Piedmont and 

 Blue Ridge regions, the peach is next to the apple in commercial 

 importance, though in comparison with the latter the industry is small 

 except in a few localities. There is but a small number of orchards 

 at high elevations, the most of them being at the Piedmont altitudes 

 or along the foothills and lower slopes of the mountain sides. 



The commercial development of the peach industry has been more 

 or less centralized in certain localities. While individual orchards are 

 scattered throughout the regions in question, the aggregate product 

 of which is considerable, they have no appreciable influence upon the 

 general market, since their output is practically all required to supply 

 the local demand. Of the more important commercial centers, Albe- 

 marle County, Va., has become somewhat conspicuous during the 

 past fifteen years or so, because of the late peaches which are pro- 

 duced along the lower slopes of the Blue Ridge. There are also 

 orchards of commercial importance in Amherst and Bedford coun- 

 ties, as well as at other points in this State, but they are considerably 

 isolated in their location with reference to one another and, as above 

 stated, supply, mostly, only local needs. The same thing is true in 

 the corresponding sections of North Carolina and South Carolina. 



Northern Georgia is relatively the most important portion of these 

 regions as a peach-growing section. The orchards are still young, 

 but many of them are extensive, and the product of the region is a 

 recognized factor in the peach market. 



135 



