PEACHES. — PLUMS. 



163 



spring blooming ; sometimes, though, the trees in fall are covered 

 with their beautiful blossoms, and then, alas ! for the peach crop 

 that year. 



But, by proper management, this mishap may be averted. 

 There is no tree that responds to constant cultivation as does the 

 peach ; so long as the earth is kept clean and well stirred around 

 its roots, just so long will it keep on growing. 



Now, the Florida spring, or growing season, begins in Jan- 

 nary, or at the latest in February, and then the peach, with 

 other trees, commences its new growth, with a longer season be- 

 fore it, than its family are accustomed to ; hence, by the time it 

 has grown its wonted number of months, it is only mid-summer 

 in Florida and not fall, as the same number would bring it from 

 the Northern spring. 



Hence, at this time, the peach-tree has a natural tendency 

 to rest, and will do so, to start again just when it ought to begin 

 its dormant state, unless its owner is particular t© keep its roots 

 active by constant stirring of the soil, and so to keep it growing 

 steadily until the middle or end of October. 



By pursuing this course, the Florida peach will bloom at 

 the proper time, and produce a crop that will enormously remu- 

 nerate the grower. 



From seventy-five cents to one dollar and a half each, is no 

 uncommon price for Florida peaches to bring in the Northern 

 markets in the months of May and June. 



Northern grown trees, brought to Florida, very rarely pay 

 for the ground they occupy, and it is the same with Northern 

 varieties. 



It is not every peach that will succeed so far south. Of those 

 that have been tested, and proved to do well, we name the fol- 

 lowing : 



PEEN-TO, OR CHINESE FLAT. 



This is not only a very fine peach, but a most remarkable 

 one in appearance. • The tree is of strong, thrifty growth, a pro- 

 lific bearer, and blooms in January or early in February, ac- 

 cording as the season is early or late, and the fruit matures early 

 in May. Tke latter is odd in shape, being two to two-and-a-half 



