Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-16
A Maryland Peach Orchard.

A correspondent of the New York Tribune
gives the following account of "Peach Blossom
Farm" which is one of the most extensive peacl
orchards in the United States
This farm is situated in the lower part of thi.
(OeciD county, on the Sassafras river, and con-
tains $50 acres, 400 of which are planted in
peach trees. 1t was sold last winter by the
creditors of the late James Oasseday, (who, in
1889, planted the first tree, which is still bear.
ing,) and was purchased by Anthony Reybold
of Delaware, for the sum of $34, 1445O.
The peaches generally commence ripening q.
bout the 9th of August, and from that time till
the close of the season. say the 25th of Septem.
Der, they are gathered and sent to market at the
rate of from 300 to 1900 baskets per day. Du-
ring this period from 30 to 100 hands are con.
stantly engaged picking and shipping the fruit,
and two steamboats, are employed in carrying it
to the Philadelphia market The Baltimore
market is much more convenient, but it general
ly commands such poor prices there that it is
found advisable to send it to Philadelphia. The
pickers are divided into gangs-each gang being
composed of ten or twelve men, and having q
captain or overseer to direct their movements,
and see that no unripe or imperfect fruit is gath
cred. Thus arranged they pair off and COM
mence operations by every two men selecting q
step-ladder and couple Of hand-baskets. By
means of the ladders they are enabled more easi-
ly to climb the trees; and then, hanging their
baskets on a convenient limb, by hook fasten-
ed to the handle for that purpose, they proceed
with their labors. AS often as the hand. baskets
are filled they are passed down and emptied in
to the baskets in which the fruit is sent to mar
ket, and which usually contain about three
Dor oftor 1o,, he c,,,,a ropt;pa Sc ,opo
through with, and during the months of August
and September peach farm presents quite an
animated scene. Here on every side can be
seen gangs of pickers, mostly Dutch and Irish,
with their baskets and ladders; there go pecu-
liarly constructed spring wagons, laden with
baskets filled with the tempting fruit; and yon-
der, at the wharf, lies huge steamer taking in
her luscious cargo. All is hustle, for the fruit
is ripening rapidly; and the great object is to
get it to market in proper condition. A single
days negligence or inattention may cause the
loss of several hundred baskets of fine fruit
In consequence of the pecuniary embarrass-
ment of The recent owner of 1.-THE Peach Bios
som" orchards, the trees have been much neg
lected of late; and having declined considerably
are not near as productive as formerly. Some
years ago as many as 10000 baskets were gath
cred from them in single season. In 1854 the
crop sent to market was, in round numbers, 25,-
900 baskets; in 1856 it was 1000 baskets, and
in 1856 about $4,000 baskets. The prices for
the years above mentioned averaged as follows
81 IA per basket in 1864 in 1856 but SO cents
per basket, and in 1856, about $3.50 per basket.
AS the cost of getting the fruit to market is a.
bout % cents per basket, viz: - cents basket
freight, and 10 cents basket to cover picking,
selling and other expenses, it will be seen at q
glance that the most profitable seasons have
been those in which there has been scarcity
of fruit. Thus;
Year. Gross Receipts Expenses. Net Receipts.
1a5d S97 h0n 81. 300 S22 600