Smyrna times., 1884-07-16
Tie DeIaware Peach Crnn-


The Delaware Peach Crop.
The following communication having
been sent to r. II. Cummins. who has
taken considerable time and pains to
answer the questions fully in detail and
as it will prove a matter of interest to
fruit growers, we have requested it for
publication in the TINES:
Department Of agriculture. J
Washington, d. C., lime II. 1884.
SIR:-YOu will confer a favor and
inform the public by giving answers to
the following inquiries, relative to
DelaWare's peach crops, as fully as
practicable:
Qus.-What have been large crop
years, what the small crops. for five
years past, or as far as your record ex-
tends?
Ans.-During the last five years the
number of baskets of peaches sent to
market over the Delaware Division Of
the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Balti
more Railroad were as follows:
l879.........2, ,2S2, 1897 Baskets.
l880........1, ,401 ,65G
lSSl....... 29,284
lS82..".."2,731,77O
lSS3........1 ,783, ,447
1t will therefore be observed that the
years of 1879, 1880, 1882 and 1888 have
been the largest crop years, while tho
year 1881, was almost total failure.
Qus.-Can you estimate the total
crop of Delaware for 1879. the census
year, or any following year
Ans. The total crop for 1879 was esti-
tf 4 l.
crop for 1883 was estimated at about
100000 baskets, Of which ! 1884 bas-
kets were sent to market by railroad
4OO,OOO by steamers and 500, 900 canned
and evaporatrd, with net profit to
the growers Of about 81 ,5O0.006
Qus.-Can you give the peculiartics
OF amy OF these seasons. shOWiuac the
causes Of heavy or light cropping. or of
differences in quality of these crops?
Ans. When there have been partial
crops or entire failures il was attributed
to late spring frosts iniurngo or destroy
ing the blossoms just at the time when
IN tull bloom. During the winter of
1850 and 1881 the extreme cold so in
lurcd the blossom buds that thcv did
not bloom and the crop for the season
OF 1881, was for that reason almost a
total failure. The quality Of the crop
Is always best during dry season i'm
july and August while the fruit is
ripenlng, it being Swcetcr and more
highly Favored. Too much rain dur
lug these months very materially affects
thepeculiardelicate favour lucious-
ness of the peach and causes more
rapid decay. \ total failure of the
crop IN his locality is exceptional.
Qus.-How many years would YOU
estimate as the life of AN orchard in
your vicinity?
Ans.-Ihe life Of peach orchard i'm
this locality depends very much on the
character of the soil it is planted in.
It's cultivation, pruning. fertilization
and general good management. The
best soil adapted to peach culture is a
sandy or clay loan and when planted
IN such soil aud properly attended 20.
the life Of an orchard NAV be prolonp-
ed in good bearing condition from
hlteen to twenty years. Some orchards
in this locality have attained twenty
five years in bearing. The trees usually
commence bearing the third and fourth
year after being planted for an orchard
they beng one year old when taken
from the nursery
Qus.-lIave the "yollows prevail
ed in your county and to what extent?
What percentage of trees in the last
five years has been destroyed by this
disease?
Ans.-The disease generally known
as the "yellow5," has not prevailed in
TINS county, 10 any serious extent. and
the per cent or number of trees lost
from that cause is so small, that per-
haps ten per cent would cover the whole
number destroyed the past five years.
1t has been observed that in impover-
ished orchards or where the trees have
been neglected. this disease has been
more prevalent.
Qus.-Please furnish any available
records Of products of individual or
chards for a series of years.
Ans.-The products Of two growers
in this locality is as follows:
George w (ummipS 6 OOO traas Uot IL,