Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-09-19

The Massachusetts Ploughman has this to
say upon the above subject: As good peach
es can be grown in New England as on the
sandy shores of Delaware Bay. Half a cen
tury since peach orchards were common in
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connect
cut, and few peaches were raised in favor
able locations in Vermont, New Hampshire,
and even in Maine. succession of cold
winters bighted the fruit buds, and in many
places killed the trees, so that the growers of
this fruit were very generally discouraged,
especially as the scourge of peach-trees the
yellows, put in an appearance and baffled the
skill of the best peach doctor. Here and
there an ardent lover of this fruit persisted in
planting peach trees, and occasionally was re-
warded with a crop. Within few years the
trees in this part of the country have appear
ed more healthy, and the fruitage more album
dant. Possibly the climate has moderated,
or the soil has recuperated its energies, or the
insects and diseases which threatened the eX-
termination of this fruit in New England have
passed away. However this may be, certain it
is that the peach may be grown here with
about as much certainty as the apple or pear,
and of as good quality as can be produced in
Delaware. A peach is not like pear, best
when picked before full maturity and ripened
in the house 1t bears transportation poorly,
and to enjoy the perfection of its flavor and
lusciousness it must be home grown.
A great recommendation for the culture of
the peach is the fact that it is so easily pro-
pagated. Plant the stones this fall and next
summer they will grow three or four feet
high, and in two to four years will bear fruit.
1t is not even necessary nowadays to bud
the stocks in order to secure good fruit. The
small, sour peaches, so common in New Eng
land half century ago, are seldom seen now.
Plant the pits of choice peaches and the seed
lines anita nnifOrmlV of OOn1 nuality
some of them very superior. In one instance
within our observation score of seedlings
all proved excellent. Still, if any one wishes
to cultivate any of the established favorites,
he has only to bud his trees in September of
the first year and he is sure of his favorite,
for no tree takes more kindly to budding than
the peach.
The soil for the peach is q deep rich sandy
loan. In the light sands of Delaware and
Maryland the tree hourishes for few years
and then dies. In the stronger loans of New
England it often continues in bearing for a
score of years. In compact clay the tree
struggles for life and seldom is productive.
The size and favor of peaches grown in a
strong loan are superior to those grown in a
light sand, and herein also New England has
The advantage over the Chesapeake and Della
ware Bay States. In such a soil, however,
the shoots grow luxuTiantly and need to be
shortened each fall TO prevent them from
vinter-killing. If one-third or one.half OF
each years growth is cut of, the remaining
part will be more vigorous and will produce
larger and better fruit. The tree will also
grow more stocky and symmetrical. Peach.
es are often planted twelve feet apart, but
they do better at twenty feet. The trees will
come into bearing sooner if the ground is
kept in cultivation, and the fruit will be
larger and finer. If for any reason blowing
hi
well. Cut the grass occasionally and use it as
mulch. This will keep the ground mellow
and moist. We hope to see New England
soon producing her own peaches.