The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-05-03
Ghe 6armeI.
On Planting Peach Trees.

Ab = S~ou 4AOoos
Charles Teubner, in the Legingtcn, Ky.
Register, says "A point 10 favor Of peach
es is their early bearing qualities, for
have had peaches to bear one and half
years from bud, or two years from seed,
whereas it takes most other fruits from
three to six years and more.
Although in favorable years peaches
succeed 10 almost any soil and location,
yet favorable locations greatly augment the
yield in unfayorable seasons. For these
it is best to choose some high northern or
northeastern exposure, dry sandy locations
being best adapted, yet not exactly neces-
sary, as they will grow 10 almost any soil,
though they have their preference in the
way Of soil and location as well as any
other fruit. They viii grow in poor soil,
but prefer rich. To make peach growing
pay, four things are necessary First,
choice budded varieties; second, culture ;
third, pruning, fourth, thinning out heavy
crops.
Cultivation is essential when large fruit
is the subject, and nothing will damage q
peach orchard more and ruin il quicker
than blue grass. Grass sod has perhaps
ruined more trees than the borer. Not
long since | was shown what was once a
fine orchard, now complete wreck, and
asked for the cause. One simple word
expressed it-sod.
To economic space they may be planted
in an apple orchard, one peach in the
centre of four apple trees, and as they
grow faster and bear earlier than apples
they can make eight or ten crops befor,
they will come in contact and hinder III,
apple trees, when they should be cut out
This applies to u commercial orchard. Fo
family use plant where they are to remain
Fence corners (rail) are often utilized b,
planting peach trees in every other corner
and they do well, partly on account Of th
protection the fence affords and partly OF
account Of the rich and mellow soil gener
ally found along a rail fence. But, as
have already stated, graz rust be banished
Next to cultivation pruuiag is the mos
necessary, The trees ought to be heade
back every year or two, which is done b
cutting the limbs off to nearly half the las
years growth. This makes the lin
stronger, and the trees compact and vigol
Gus, and able to withstand storms and SC
we're cold better The trees ought to
headed low, especially on the prairie. Tn
crown should be formed two feet above tn
ground. The wood Of peach trees is yer
brittle and frail, and liable to injury b
storms, hence these precautions. TheI
too, low trees can, during severe winte
or uuiavorably spring, be protected b
placing corn stalks upright all around tn
tree, by which simple and inexpensiy
method often valuable crop is saved, an
in unfayorable years a crop saved pays biz
Another important point is the thinnin
out Of the fruit when the trees are ovsl
loaded. This is done by pulling off
hand or with an implement similar to
rake, having the teeth set close, all tn
surplus fruit, taking the smallest aud in
perfect. Ia this everyone must exerci
his own Judgment, as no rule can be give
Sometimes one-half Of the fruit ought
be taken off, Mans avarieious nature
not apt to allow thinning out to be overdor
The following are the best and large
varieties of peaches, and ripen in the ord
named. An astcrisk q indicates clin
stone; dagger (f) yellow peaches. Tho
not marked with are freestones. f.
ira early-+Amsden June, Alexande
Early-Early Beatrice, Early River
Troths Early, Early York Summer
; tFoster, Old Nixon Free, tSusquehann
Mammoth Cling. Late-Stump Il
World, +tLemon Cling, Morris Whit
tSalway. Very latc-+Heath Gin,
Steadily, both white This list gives
succession from June to October. Th
Amsdens June is undoubtedly the mo
valuable on the list, not alone on accour
Of its extra earliness, having ripened tn
season at Sedalia on the 18th day of Jun,
but also for its excellent favor, fine siz,
beautiful color and good shipping quail
ties. Very early and late peaches are II
most profitable"