VARIETIES OF PEACHES. 



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elevation on sandy loam. The conditions which appear to have given the most uni- 

 form success are Porters black loam at about 2,000 feet altitude in Amherst County, 

 Va. Here the fruit is usually but little inclined to decay. 

 Amsden. Synonym: Amsden^s June. 



Occasionally this variety is found in both the Piedmont and Blue Ridge orchards,, 

 but it is relatively unimportant. Like many early varieties, it is likely to rot very 

 badly except under the most favorable conditions. It manifests this tendency to 

 decay in western North Carolina even at 2,000 feet elevation on soil similar to Cecil 

 sandy loam, but under these same conditions it is said to withstand relatively low- 

 degrees of temperature in bud and set fruit at times when most other varieties are 

 killed. In Amherst County, Va., on Porters black loam at 2,000 to 2,500 feet altitude, 

 it is said to be usually very fine. It rotted at this point during the season of 1903 for 

 the first time, due probably to the unfavorable climatic conditions which prevailed. 

 In the central Piedmont sections maturity is reached about the middle of June. 

 Arkansas Traveler. 



This variety has been referred to by only one grower, who is located in Albemarle 

 County, Va. On Porters sand at 1,000 to 1,100 feet altitude with south to southeast 

 exposure it is considered one of the most desirable of the early sorts, ripening here 

 the last of June. Under these conditions it does better than on Cecil clay at 1,000 

 feet elevation; it also develops a better color on the lighter soil. This comparison 

 is made by the one grower who has it under the two sets of conditions mentioned, the 

 locations being in close proximity to each other. 

 Beatrice. 



On Cecil sandy loam at 1,000 feet altitude in Bedford County, Va., this variety does 

 not prove to be of any particular value. The fruit ripens on one side and becomes 

 soft before the other side is ripe. As reported from western North Carolina on similar 

 soil at 2,000 feet altitude it is considered a standard variety. As implied elsewhere, 

 such conflicting results as the above should receive further investigation, particularly 

 with regard to the identity of the variety in the different locations mentioned. 

 Belle. Synonym: Belle of Georgia. 



Reference to this variety has been made by growers in only the southern portion of 

 the Piedmont region, where in the deep red loams or clay loams it is recognized as 

 one of the leading varieties. Its season in northern Georgia is early July to the middle 

 of the month. 



Bilyeu. Synonyms: Comet, Bilyeu's Comet, Bilyeu's October, BilyeiCs Late. 



In Albemarle County, Va., where peach culture has been developed to a considerable 

 extent, this is the most important variety being grown. It is the latest sort to ripen of 

 those which are being extensively cultivated, coming into the market the last of 

 September and frequently extending nearly to the end of October, when the supply 

 of peaches i^^ light. At this season, good prices usually prevail and it is considered a 

 profitable sort. At the present time it is grown but little in the Piedmont and moun- 

 tain regions, except in the county named and in a few orchards in Amherst County, Va. 



The Bilyeu is more sensitive to the influence of conditions under which it grows 

 than most varieties are. The highest degree of perfection in these regions is reached 

 on the lower slopes of the mountains, somewhat elevated above the general level of 

 the Piedmont, where perfect atmospheric and soil drainage are insured. Excellent 

 results are obtained on Porters sand where properly located, but Porters black loam 

 and nearly all the loose, friable mountain types of soil are well suited to it. On Tobacco 

 Row Mountain in Amherst County, Porters black loam, with an elevation of 2,000 to 

 2,500 feet, it develops very finely, and is considered one of the most satisfactory of all 

 the varieties grown in this section. Under these conditions the fruit develops to a 

 large size and colors very beautifully. On the heavier clay soils the behavior is entirely 

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