Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-04
LErrERs FROM TINE PEoPLz.
PEACH CULTURE IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY U
OkRTAINIIEs OF THE CnoP.

PEACH CULTURE IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY THE uN-
oERrAnTIEs OF THE oRoP.
TO he Editor Of the Commercial:
We have long held TO the belief that peaches
would continue the most profitable crop on this
Peninsula. Other fruits may yield greater re-
turns from few acres, but for field culture the
peach stands unrivalled, and statistics will show
that more money comes into our State from its
sales than Allrother products combined.
We remember but one total failure in score
Of years. Numerous partial failures might be
recorded bnt theae seldom prove disastrous to
the grower. Half crop generally averages
double the price OF full crop. thus saving the
extra labor, freight, baskets, &c.
The crop Of 66 was the lightest considering
the area devoted to this fruit, (with one ezcep-
tion), within the period named. Mr.. Z. O. Fem
more cleared about $40. 900 that year from shout
two-thirds of q crop. Many others in THE fa-
yored locality had plenty OF fruit. A neighbor
priced a basket OF his own growing, in the retail
market OF Philadelphia, when the modest sum
of S5 90 was asked. lie received not more than
one-half Of that sum.
Our grain crops have frequently been light
during the last decade with no perceptable ef-
feet on prices, II must be conceded that peach
es are as reliabls for crop IN agiyen term OF
years as anything we raise.
Our most experienced growers say crop Of
paAches at 25cts. basket will pay better than
grains
Few averaged 30 low with the unprecedented
crops of 80 and u, Many cleared from 40 TO 60
eta per basket. Look at the figures one hun
dred trees per acre each yielding basket and
hall, at 25 cts, would be S37, 60 Forty-fve BUSH
els corn at go cts make tl7. Dedueting
20 cts 8 bushel cost OF growing "a moder-
ate allowance) leaves only sl6. net on one
acre Of corn. Peaches then, in the most unfa-
vofsble seasons pay 400 per cent better than
corn. Wheat yielding IS bushel per acre at
$l.75, amounts to S3i 80. II we take of only
90 80 expenses, We lave S25. per acre, or SO per
cent less than the profit OF peaches. We have
not computed cost OF trees, basketB, &c, but
this will stand against buildings for grain, seed
bags, &c, interest on land being the same in
both cases. "a
word as to the Probabilities. Climate has
said 10 this semi-tropical fruit ''thns far shalt
thou come and no farther" 1t cannot be de-
pended on fdr market moro than five miles
north OF the Chesapeake and Delaware canal,
though few orchards have borne well much be-
yond that line. The supply, therefore, must
ever be limited, while the demand Is bounded
only by the habitable portions or the earth. As
civilization advances and our population in-
creases, this lueciousfruit will be more sought
after, and II our market facilities keep pace with
the growing demand, we may looksfOr better
prcesIin the future. When the business Isl bet
ter regulated no such concentration and loss OF
fruit will occur in our large cities. There are
people enough to take all we can raise at pay
ing prices if we can get it to them in good CON
dition. I'D
With the increase Of canneries and drying es-
tablishments, a larger proportion OF the crop
will be p'epAred for shipping to all ports of the
world, to be eaten at all seasons by ali nations
and people. Is.
ODESSA, DEL. Jan. 20, 1873.
RESERVED SEATS AT THE OPERA HOUSE.
To The Editor Of The Commercial:
Having read with some SURPRISE the protest
OF Drama" and &C. s. " against resolving
| seats at the Opera House, humbly beg to state
| Dy case. /, like q. s., took some lady friends
| to witness the performance, on the night in
question, and like him, being little late, found
| the house not only full, but crowded-so much
80 in fact that had it not been for the fore
thought Of the manager, IN reserving some aeats
| for these who were unable to secure them du-
| ring the day, should not have gone in the bal
| cony, but home. But as it was, l, by paying
| twenty-five cents extra. got good seats, which |
could easily have sold as ain for fifty cents ex-
| ira.
Had there been no seats reserved, quite a
number Of ladies'. who came late, would have
been compelled to stand during the. entire per
formabce SO say: let us have reserved seats,
| by all MEANS the same all other decent places
/ OF amtisem0nt in other cities. C.C.