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FLORIDA STATS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
fruit, and that the bloom and fruit can 
be saved, even in case of heavy freezes, 
I have proved in my two-acre grove, 
under cover, where for the last three 
winters we have never failed to get a 
crop, when all the peaches of the same 
varieties outside were frozen. 
The most curious fact that I have ob¬ 
served is that the peaches will bloom in 
almost darkness not more than a week 
or a fortnight later than the same varie¬ 
ties outside, and that they will set and 
mature well colored fruit of fine quality 
with one-quarter shade and three-quar¬ 
ters light. 
The main object, however, is to get 
the earliest peaches, and this can be 
done— 
ist. By arranging the cover to give 
sufficient light, but so that it can be 
closed up quickly in case of frost. 
2nd. By entirely changing the method 
of cultivation. 
In outside culture it is our object to 
fertilize and cultivate late in the year, 
so as to retard the early blooming. In 
a shed, however, we want this early 
bloom, and must therefore cease cultiva¬ 
tion in August or September, so that the 
trees can harden up the growths. They 
will bloom all winter. If the firing is 
properly attended to this bloom can be 
saved and a very early crop secured. 
The shed must be built high enough so 
that the tres will not require any prun- 
ing. 
DISCUSSION. 
Dr. Inman—I am engaged in growing 
peaches probably as far south as it has 
been attempted on any important scale; 
and I may say that I cannot report uni¬ 
form success. Last year the trees did 
not do well. I do not think it was the 
fault of the trees for I obtained them 
of reputable nurserymen. I gave them 
good care, but both these and some of 
my neighbors’ trees did not do as well as 
those which I have planted this year. 
Some of my old trees had the appear¬ 
ance of dying. I headed them back se¬ 
verely, they sprouted out from the stubs 
and have grown and made magnificent 
trees. They seem to be in better condi¬ 
tion than even the young trees. It was 
only a small per cent, that had the ap¬ 
pearance of dying. Most of my trees 
had a good crop. We have had peaches 
ever since January. This was from a 
scattering bloom that came on in the fall, 
and after the birds took in their share 
there was not much left. I think that 
there is no place in the State or South 
where peach growing can be engaged in 
as profitably as in South Florida. I 
don’t think there would be any hazard in 
planting a peach orchard in Polk county 
on new land. I think there would be a 
great advantage in taking the virgin soil 
in planting a peach orchard. I have 
some very fine trees that are seedlings. 
Major Fairbanks—Have you planted 
them in hammock or high land? 
Dr. Inman—All in high pine land, 
land that has been cultivated in tomato 
crops for several years. 
Major Fairbanks—I have had some 
experience in planting hammock land 
and the trees would flourish for a year 
and then die off. 
A Member—My experience has made 
me believe that that is true, that they 
will die back sooner or later, and quicker 
than they will on high land. They 
must not be planted with oranges. To 
go into the peach business, my expe- 
