
          82

the growth of the peach tree, that nothing can be more profitable
and there are those now in that country who have made fortunes by
this business.  The trees grow rapidly, bear abundantly; the fruit
is used for swine and for drying and shipping.  Such a similar
kind of business do we look forward to here in Cal."  He says the
peach grows rapidly in Cal.

In The Country Genleman, Albany, N. Y. for July 22, 1858, p. 42
in Editorial Correspondence is an account of a visit to Newcastle
Co., Del., from which we extract the following relative to  peaches:-

"We came to the residence of Wm. Reybold, Esq., not far from
Delaware city, who here occupies a fine estate of 460 acres, and
has another farm within a short distance , of 375 in addition.  His
orchards formerly sent 5, 6, & 7 thousand baskets of peaches a
night to New York for a period of about six weeks, employing several
steamboats for the purpose; and 70 acres,- 30 of them in 3
year old, and 40 in 4 year old trees,- one year netting their owner
the handsome figure of $12,000.  But the days of the peach in
all these coasts seem to be numbered; their glory and profit have
departed.  Some mysterious disease [yellows] has for 3 years past
[since 1853 or 4 according to this] kept them declining, and for the
last two they have not paid.  The ax has been laid at the root of
their once fruitful and money bringing boughs, and, trunk and
branch and twig, ther are now being cut down and hewed to pieces
for fire-wood!
        