In America, the Peach grows almost without any care - extensive orchards containing from 10,000 to 20,000 trees, being raised from the stones. This is owing to their being grown on their own roots, for when that is the case in Britain the trees present a similar appearance. They require, therefore, to be budded on the plum or on the almond. In America, the Peach is chiefly used for feeding pigs, and for making Peach Brandy. The soil best suited for the Peach is three parts mellow, unexhausted loam, mixed with vegetable mould or manure.
Peaches require a lighter soil than pears or plums.
To perpetuate and multiply the choicer varieties, both the Peach and the newly-allied nectarine are budded upon plums or almond stocks. The fruit is produced on the ripened shoots of the preceding year, and the formation of young shoots in sufficient abundance, and of requisite strength, is the great object of peach training and pruning. In cold soils and bleak situations, it is considered best to cover the walls upon which the trees are trained with a casing of glass, so that the trees may be under shelter during uncongenial spring weather. Various kinds of Aphis and the Acarus , or Red Spider, infest the leaves of the Peach. The fruit is wholesome and seldom disagrees if eaten ripe, though the skin is indigestible.