52 ORCHAKD FRUITS IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES. 



The varieties that are commonly grown have not been studied in 

 relation to their adaptability to the conditions as critically as is desir- 

 able, since personal inspection during the ripening period has been 

 impracticable in most cases, and hence the verification of the identity 

 of but few of the varieties has been possible. The notes relating to 

 the behavior of the several varieties referred to are based on the expe- 

 rience and opinions of the growers, not on personal observation, except 

 in a few instances. 



Some reference is made under nearly every variety to its time of 

 ripening in some particular section. While the dates mentioned 

 indicate as nearly as possible average periods of ripening, attention 

 should be called to the fact that there is frequently considerable 

 difference from year to year. Hence, the dates given should be in- 

 terpreted as coming within the probable range of the ripening period, 

 the exact date being subject to the influence of varying climatic and 

 other conditions. 



VARIETIES. 



Albright. Synonym: Albright's Winter. 



This variety is grown in these regions only to a very limited extent and occurs at 

 but a few points. Its late season of ripening is the one point which calls for special 

 mention. In some seasons it is marketed as late as November from here. It seems 

 to be quite susceptible to injury from low degrees of temperature while in bud, but 

 the blossoms are said to endure cold to an unusual degree. 



At 1,000 to 1,500 feet elevation on Porters sand on the lower slopes of the Blue Ridge 

 and its spurs, the Albright is somewhat prized by some of the growers, particularly 

 in Albemarle County, Va., where very profitable returns in some seasons are reported. 

 It also does fairly well at 1,000 feet elevation in the Piedmont region of South Caro- 

 lina, but the fruit is more susceptible to disease, especially scab or brown-spot, than 

 on the slopes of the mountains. Its season of ripening is probably too late to permit 

 of its reaching perfect maturity on the heavier clay soils of a large portion of the Pied- 

 mont region. When the fruit fails to mature in these regions because of the relative 

 shortness of the season, it does not attain a desirable size as a rule and a great amount 

 of fuzz develops on the skin, making it very unattractive in appearance. 

 Alexander. 



Many orchards and small plantations in widely separated sections of these regions 

 contain a small number of trees of this variety. Its principal value is its earliness. 

 However, it is not of great importance commercially here, unless it be for the small 

 grower who supplies a local market. In these regions it is essentially a June peach. 

 At some of the earliest points picking begins the last of May, sometimes as early as 

 the 18th or 20th, extending to early July in the more northern locations or at the higher 

 elevations south, as, for instance, in Buncombe County, N. C, at 2,800 feet altitude. 



The behavior of the Alexander peach under these conditions is suggested by the 

 following: On the lighter soils, such as Cecil sandy loam or Porters sand of the northern 

 portion of the Piedmont region, it does fairly well, but is not especially prized. It 

 has also been reported on Cecil clay, which appears to be^a reasonably satisfactory 

 type on which to grow it in these regions in most instances. The decay of the fruit 

 and its irregular ripening, one side maturing before the other, are common faults. 

 The same characteristics are also developed in western North Carolina at 2,000 feet 

 135 



