Peaches and Other Deciduous Fruits 
THE HOME FRUIT GARDEN 
Maj. W. L. Floyd 
In order to vary this report somewhat 
from those of recent years, I will discuss 
the home fruit garden consisting mainly 
of deciduous fruits; by so doing I trust 
I will not be considered as deviating too 
far from the subject assigned the com¬ 
mittee. 
The home fruit garden should receive 
the attention of every home maker in the 
state. No place is so small but that some 
fruit trees may be planted on the grounds, 
on the larger ones no area will produce 
greater returns if pleasure, healthfulness 
and financial returns are taken into con¬ 
sideration. 
We are notably a fruit-consuming peo¬ 
ple. Observe the dried, canned, pre¬ 
served, as well as fresh fruits that are 
brought into the state, consider the varie¬ 
ties adapted to our soil and climate and 
you must be impressed with the oppor¬ 
tunities for us to help reduce the high 
cost of living by growing our own fruit. 
We give much attention to the growing 
of certain fruits commercially, while do¬ 
ing this we acquire a knowledge of the 
principles which are applicable to growing 
a much greater number of kinds suitable 
for the home table, yet how rare it is to 
see a good fruit garden in Florida with 
its well selected varieties, properly ferti¬ 
lized, cultivated, pruned and sprayed so 
that it will be a pleasure and profit to 
its owner. 
The following is a suggestion of what 
may be planted in such a home garden, an 
acre in extent in the vicinity of Gaines¬ 
ville. 
5 Pecans, 42x40 ft.; 10 Plums, 15x15 
ft.; 4 Pomegranates, 15x15 ft.; 28 
Peaches, 15x15 ft.; 14 Pears, 26x20 ft.; 
2 Apples, 26x20 ft.; 20 Figs, 10x10 ft.; 
20 Bunch Grapes, 10x10 ft.; 10 Musca¬ 
dine Grapes, 20x20 ft.; 1260 Strawber¬ 
ries, 3x1 ft. 
A total of 1373 plants of 10 different 
kinds, for some of which different varie¬ 
ties of each kind are desirable. Further 
south of course a number of changes 
would be made substituting subtropical 
for the hardier kinds. 
SOIL 
The location must be selected with ref¬ 
erence to the residence. It should be near 
by, either to the side or rear. So very 
often the best adapted soil can not be 
used. Therefore, special attention should 
be given to its improvement in order to 
make it suitable for the purpose intended. 
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