GROWING PEACHES 
Queen of Fruits 
Peach growing all over the United States is 
making a vast improvement. Up until a few years 
ago we had just a limited amount of varieties to 
choese from and they were ones that had been in 
use since way before our grandfather’s day. But 
we are making a forward progress in the growing 
of peach trees and fruits from them just as we 
are going forward in other endeavors such as bet- 
ter cars, better roads, better housing and all other 
ways and means that makes our living and life 
more enjoyable. 
Now we want to give credit to a lot of our new 
methods where credit is due to our experiment 
stations and the men who work with them. A few 
years ago we recommended setting trees on ter- 
races. We have found this to be a hard job to 
keep them cultivated as they should be so we are 
discarding this method and terracing our land 
then checking and setting our trees between ter- 
races. This way you can keep them cultivated and 
requires very little, if any, hoe work. Orchardists 
are using three different methods of setting: 
Square planting, Hexagon and Triangular. You 
can use either one you prefer and you think suits 
your land better. You should prepare your land 
in advance so that when you get your trees there 
will be no delay in getting them into the ground. 
Be sure to not neglect and let your trees dry out. 
Dig your holes deep enough to accommodate the 
roots good, set your tree in and refill with topsoil, 
being sure to pack your soil firmly around the 
tree. If you water as you set, water before you 
pack the soil. This watering helps do this. Give 
your trees cultivation just as you would any other 
crop that you planned to give any results. 
Now as to varieties, we are fast culling out and 
getting new ones that have proved to be tops in 
the section they are recommended for. A few years 
ago we would have suggested the Fairs Beauty, 
but we are now replacing it with Dixie Gem, a 
much better peach in every way. And so it goes— 
the older varieties are being replaced by new ones 
which have been badly needed for a good many 
years in the peach industry. 
Pruning is very essential in growing peaches 
now. They should be pruned to where every peach 
can be gathered from the ground. This cuts down 
on labor costs. 
When obtained from the nursery, a year old 
peach tree will vary in size. Usually they run 
around three feet tall and have few lateral branch- 
es that can be used for framework branches. 
After setting out the lateral branches are cut back 
to where they will have one or two buds each, 
then you will start developing your trees into the 
shape you would want them. In this climate we 
6 « 
prefer that the trees be headed low. This shading 
helps protect the body of the tree from sun dam- 
age which causes injury by borers, eic. They can 
be pruned then on the second year and on as 
long as the need arises. Peach trees can be pruned 
much more than apple, pear or plum trees of the 
same age. 
Another question which arises is, when is the 
best time to set trees. We start setting peach and 
all deciduous trees just as soon as dormant in the 
fall and moisture is sufficient. If you can, the 
better and most preferred time is fall planting. 
However, I have known some very profitable 
orchards that were set as late as April. But the 
sooner after planting time begins the better. 
However, if you can not plant early, do not hesi- 
tate to set your orchard out as late as March or 
middle March. 
Fertilizer is another important phase to the 
peach grower. Of course, until your trees get too 
big you can grow row crops in between your 
trees and these can be fertilized just as you would 
ordinarily. We certainly do not use any fertilizer 
when we set the trees. This we gradually work 
into the soil. Nitrogen is still the most needed 
element of most soils where peaches are set. 
This can be applied by using ammonium nitrate, 
sodium nitrate or ammonium sulphate. Spraying 
is such a lengthy procedure that it can not be 
discussed in the space we have. 
Can’t Blame You Son, We Know They 
Are Good! 
FITZGERALD NURSERY 
