Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-29
Peach Growers In TIIorida.

A very general interest IN peach grow
ing is rapidly developing in Florida.
Every year adds largely to the number Of
those who are making efforts in this di-
recti0n. There are orchards in the State
that have borne successive crops, with
scarcely an exception, for twenty-five
years, and only ceased to h@ar, not from
age, but from violent storm that de-
stroyed the trees.
Florida viii only grow certain varieties
of tn peach. One need never expect to
adapt to this climate the fancy varieties
Of more Northerly States. Nor can the
seed Of native varieties be relied on when
they have borne fruit in close proximity
to those trees which have been grown from
nurseries out of the State, after they have
bloomed. 1t is better to cut away and
burn all such trees. To buy them in or
der to tryathem is to throw money, land,
time away. This experiment has been
tried by hundreds, and thousands of dol
lars have been spent in this way uselessly
and injuriously.
The peach will do well in any and in all
sections Of the State. The truth seems to
be that the peach, like the orange, is not
confined to either section Of soils, but if
properly cared for, viii do well wherever
planted.
The best time to apply compost is from
the 1st Of December to the LIST of March,
and on late bearing varieties again about
the 1st OF June,
1t is necessary to work the orchard.
One cause of failure is the too prevalent
idea that peach tree does not need either
the plOW or the hoe, while experience de-
m0nstrates that both are needed. Let the
ground be broken up early in January or
February, and not later than March, plow-
ing as near the tree as the horse can get
without barking it. After this the hoe
can keep the weeds and grass down the
remainder of the year.
Pruning should be carefully looked after.
Carefully cut off all water sprouts, and
dead or diseased wood, and shoots from
the ground. Cut back the late fall growth.
Do not give the tree too long a body. This
not only gives the tree a compact form,
but prevents it from breaking down with
fruit, protecting it from storms, and rem
ders the gathering of fruit much easier
and with less injury to the tree. Should
the tree take on too large a crop of fruit,
thin off. 1t will insure larger fruit, and
nicer, and there will be no loss as to guam
THY.
As to the best method of propagating
the peach: There are several ways; by
budding, grating and from the seed. The
surest way is by budding. The idea that
the tree grown from the seed is the long
est to live, needs demonstration. The
true cause of short life is doubtless found
in the care taken Of tree. To grow from
the seed is uncertain, since it is exceed
ingly difficult to get the seed to sprout,
and then you are not sure of the variety.
The Picnic is the earliest variety
known to our country, and is an annual
bearer. It bears heavier, however, every
other year. 1t is a nat peach, is shaped
like an old-fashioned biscuit, of a creamy
color, beautifully tinted on the sunny
side. It's flavor is delicious and may be
very properly styled dainty. 1t is spe-
cially fond of warm climate, and when
the winters are warm ripens its fruit as
early as the goth of April-usually about
the first week in May. 1t will ripen its
fruit anywhere on the peninsula of the
State and does not seem to have any spe-
cial preference for one soil over another.
1t is a hardy peach and stands the heayi-
est cold of any variety known to us. 1t
is half clear-stone.
The Honey, or Sugar, is also an early
peach, ripening from the last of May to
middle of June. This is the queen of
peaches as to sweetness. Its color is deep
red, assuming it as soon as the bloom is
cast and holding it until it ripens. When
fully ripe the addition of sugar with cream
is unnecessary, SO sweet is the peach. It's
shape is peculiar, being oblong, with a
small tit at the end curling at the point.
The fruit comes on the tree very much
like the plum, and is small unless care is
taken to thrust off a surplus quantity.
The tree is an unusually prolific bearer
and brings a crop of fruit annually. 1t
is a free-stone and will compete with any
variety north of us, either in color, size
or flavor, as to the early varieties.
The Pien-to, on account of its being 50
early, is the most popular peach, but the
Honey, grown for market, is destined to
be the most profitable of all our varieties.
Two other varieties of early peaches
ripening from middle of June to middle Of
July are styled the Withlacoochee Cling
and Clear. They are medium size, fine
flavor, creamy color, slightly tinted on
sunny side. For later varieties, the Flor
ida Native can be relied on, and of these
we can have fruit of the best size and
quality, until the middle of October
ReU. +. p. DePdss, LeUy county, Fla.