
          copy

268

Delaware City, Jan. 17, 1888.

Prof. Erwin F. Smith,

Dear Sir:

The first peach orchard in New Castle county, Del.
to grow peaches for market, was on a farm, belonging to Jacob
Ridgeway of Philadelphia, within a mile of Delaware City, and
was set out by Isaac Reeves of Philadelphia, who was a partner
with Jacob Ridgeway in the peach business.

Orchard,: No. 1.
Acres,: 30
Planted,: 1832
In good bearing until: 1844
Taken up,: 1847
Remarks.: No yellows'.

Orchard,: No. 2.
Acres,: 40
Planted,: 1833
In good bearing until: 1844
Taken up,: 1847
Remarks.: No yellows.

Orchard,: No. 3.
Acres,: 20
Planted,: 1835
In good bearing until: 1844
Taken up,: 1847
Remarks.: Some yellows.

Orchard,: No. 4.
Acres,: 20
Planted,: 1836
In good bearing until: 1844
Taken up,: 1847
Remarks.: Full of yellows.

Orchard,: No. 5.
Acres,: 20
Planted,: 1847
In good bearing until: 1851
Taken up,: 1855
Remarks.: All yellow

The orchard No. 1, remained in good bearing longer than
either of the three next succeeding. After thirteen years
some of the trees prematured from the effects of the borer-worm,
bad pruning and negligence.  The orchard No. 3 showed
yellows in nine years after being planted. Orchard No. 4
showed yellows in six years after being planted and at the end
of ten years was worthless.  Orchard No. 5 bore but three
crops; the middle crop at four years of age, was a large and
        