NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



687 



Peach-growing in Missouri. By Prof. W. L. Howard (U.S. A. St. 

 Bd. Missouri, Bull. June 1903 ; figs.) — The writer declares that Peach- 

 growing has become one of the important industries in this State, since 

 the fruit can be grown in almost any part of it. The chief requirement 

 of a soil for successful Peach-growing is that it be porous enough to afford 

 a good bottom drainage, and this is of far more importance than fertility. 

 A rich soil is not necessary for growing good Peaches. On the contrary, 

 land may be too rich, in which case the trees would spend most of their 

 energy in making good wood growth and bear but little fruit. In general, 

 a Peach orchard should be situated on high ground ; a level plain would not 

 be desirable. The writer advocates the planting of good trees, not 

 necessarily the largest ones, a poor tree being dear at any price. A go 3d 

 tree is one that has made a vigorous stalky growth. 



Diagrams are given to illustrate methods of pruning, &c, and full 

 directions on this head. For winter protection whitewashing or baling 

 is recommended, this being the next best thing to building sheds over the 

 trees, the latter course being naturally too expensive. For a commercial 

 orchard the writer advises the growth — in that country — of the ' Elberta,' 

 the ' Champion,' and ' Salway.' — V. J. M. 



Peach-growing in West Virginia. By K. C. Davis (U.S.A. Exp. 

 Stn. West Virginia, Bull. 82, 4/1902; illustrations).— This bulletin 

 gives an account of the increasing Peach-growing industry in West 

 Virginia, with notes on the extent to which Peaches are grown in the 

 various counties of the State. The worst enemies of the industry are the 

 ' Peach-borer,' against the attacks of which washing the tree-trunks in 

 spring or early summer with a preparation of lime and water containing 

 soft soap is recommended. The 1 Peach curculio ' is caught in the early 

 morning on sheets spread beneath the trees while they are jarred ; and 

 the ' fruit bark beetle ' attacks old trees. The 1 San Jose Scale ' which is 

 prevalent in some places, the ' black spot ' of the fruit, ' brown rot,' ' leaf- 

 curl,' and 'yellows' have been dealt with in previous bulletins of this 

 station (Nos. 66 and 78).— F. J. C. 



Peach, Pruning and Marketing. By J. H. Hale (U.S.A. St. Bd. 

 Agric.New Jersey, Rep. 1902-3, pp. 269-292 ; 5 plates). — The author con- 

 siders that the best results are obtained by keeping the trees short. Expense 

 is saved in pruning and in gathering the fruit, in addition to which the fruit, 

 since it is less handled, keeps better. The fruit is packed into rigid baskets, 

 sorted by girls, who do the work better and quicker than men, and taken 

 to market by electric trolly, there being a siding on the fruit farm. 

 Spraying for scale, &c, is carefully carried out every year on the author's 

 large fruit farm, and the weevil is caught by jarring the trees over a sheet 

 stretched on a frame 12 ft. by 6 ft. ; the sheet is carried by two boys or 

 two girls, while a man goes round and jars the tree with a battering ram 

 padded with rubber. Only 4 per cent, of the fruit was injured, while a 

 neighbour who did not practise this lost 60 per cent. 



Summer pruning is largely carried out, just at the time when the 

 season's growth is finished. Cow Peas and Clover are regarded as the best 

 cover-crop for the orchard, since both supply nitrogen to the soil. 



F. J. C. 



