Smyrna times., 1879-09-24
GBe Sngrna Gmes.
Snl1rn0, DeI..
"Wednesday Afternoon, Sept. "a.
.4.g2'lcwIIst1'u/.
Peach Growing in New England.

The Massachusetts, Ploughman has this to
say upon the above subject As good |
peaches can be grown in New England as |
on the sandy shores of Delaware Bay. |
Half century since peach orchards were |
common in Massachusetts,, Rhode Island |
and Connecticut, and few peaches were
raised in favorable localities in Vermont,
New Hampshire, and even in Maine. A
succession of cold winters blighted 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 baffied the skill of the
best peach doctors. Here and there an ar
dent lover of this fruit persisted in planting
peach trees, and occasionally was rewarded
with crop. Within few years the trees
in this part OF the country have appeared
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 determination of this fruit in New
England have passed away. However this
may be, certain it is that the peach may
now 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 lus-
ciousness it must be home grown.
A great recommendation for the culture
of the peach is the fact that it is so easily
propagated. 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 now-ad days
70 k,,I fIa OIye i,,
fruit. The small, sour peaches, so common
in New England half a century ago, are sell
dom seen now. Plant the pits Of choice
peaches and the seedlings are quite uni
formly of good quality, some of them very
superior. In one instance within our obser
vation a score of seedlings all proved excel
lent Still, if any one wishes to cultivate
any Of the established favorites, he hal
only to bud his trees in September of the
first year and he is sure of his iavorite, fo
no tree takes more kindly to budding thar
the peach.
The soil for the peach is deep ricl
sandy loan. In the light sands of Della
ware and Maryland the tree hourishes for
few years and then dies. In the stronge
loans of New England it often continues il
bearing for a score of years, In a compac
clay the tree struggles for life and seldom
Is productive. lu0 size anu udVOF Ol peaCL
es grown in a strong loan are superior T.
those grown in light sand, and herei
also New England has the advantage owe
the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay State
In such a soil however the shoots gro
luxuriantly and need TO be shortened eac
Fall to prevent them from winter.killinI
If one-third or one-half of each year
- growth is cut off, the remaining part will
Z more vigorous and will produce larger an
better fruit. The tree will also grow mo-
stocky and symmetrical. Peaches al
often planted twelve feet apart, but they
2 better at twenty feet. The trees will con
into bearing sooner if the ground is kept
) cultivation, and the fruit will be larger ar
finer. If for any reason ploughing is obje
tionable, mulching answers about as we
: but the grass occasionally and use it
mulch. This will keep the ground mellc
and moist. We hope to see New Englar
soon producing her own peaches.