Peaches and Other Deciduous Fruits. 
By W. L. Floyd, M. S. 
The cultivation of peaches as a com¬ 
mercial crop seems to be on the decrease. 
One reason for this is the competition of 
cantaloupes which have become an im¬ 
portant crop in the South in recent years. 
There is an average crop on the trees 
this year, but the quality is not satisfac¬ 
tory because of more worms (curculio 
larvae), in them than usual. Our grow¬ 
ers need to be impressed more fully with 
the importance of gathering up and de¬ 
stroying all fruit that falls to the ground. 
Old settlers tell us that the peaches of the 
pioneer days were almost free from 
worms. To-day they are abundant in all 
orchards, and are increasing because the 
number of trees planted has increased the 
food supply. Prices this year for good 
early fruit promises to be quite satisfac¬ 
tory. 
The selection of the proper variety for 
planting needs re-emphasis. Representa¬ 
tives of outside nurseries are coming 
among us and by persuasive voice and at¬ 
tractive illustrations are selling kinds that 
do well in states near by, but to the north 
of us, but which will not do well in middle 
and South Florida. The derivatives of 
the Peento and Honey groups for com¬ 
mercial planting, and some varieties of 
the Spanish for the home garden are all 
we can expect to grow with success here, 
certain varieties of these are specially 
suited to certain localities. Our people 
need therefore to observe closely what 
succeeds about them then buy from a 
reliable nearby nursery what has proven 
good. 
The San Jose scale is being held in 
check in some of our largest orchards by 
the red-heated fungus (sphaerostilbe 
cocophila) and black fungus (myrian- 
gium duriaei). Our climatic conditions 
are peculiarly favorable to the growth of 
these fungi and when applied at proper 
time and in proper manner are quite ef¬ 
fective. 
The growing of the peach on Pasco 
plum roots in order to avoid root knot is 
reported a success in some places. Many 
of us are trying this and can report more 
fully as to its value later. 
Pears are of but little commercial im¬ 
portance, and their planting in the home 
garden is decreasing because of blight. No 
preventive has been found for this bac¬ 
terial disease, pruning off diseased branch¬ 
es back to the healthy wood is the best 
thing we know to do. Beware of the 
agent who offers a blight-proof tree, we 
doubt if such a thing exists. The Su- 
wanee pear is a new variety now being in¬ 
troduced by a prominent nursery of the 
state, which promises well, its advantages 
over the LeConte and Keiffer need yet 
to be proven. 
