Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-12-24
Peach Culture in Maryland.


At the recent meeting of the Peninsula
horticultural Society comprising the coun-
ties of Delaware and some of the Eastern
Shore counties of Maryland, the opinion
was expressed tina. the cultivation Of
peaches on the Chesapeake d elaware pen
insula will soon be at an end, lowing to
the fact that the soil after term OF years
loses those qualities which bring the fruit
to perfect development" 1t is well
known that in certain portions of Delaware
the production of peaches has rapidly de
clined in recent years, but whether "a sim
liar change will take place in all portions
of the peninsula remains to be seen. There
are localities in Kent and Queen Anne's,
for examp'e -the two great peach growing
counties of the Maryland portion of the
peninsula-where peaches have been cu-
tivated for many years without any dimi
mutton of fertility. 1t has been shown by
experience that peninsul a orchards located
near large bodies of water are more regu
larly productive than those further inland.
and it may he that an examination would
show the failure of the Delaware orchards
TO he due to this or to some orher local
consideration. On the other hand, in c.
lions remote from the water, as for instance
Washington county. which last season
produced fine crops of peaches, the cuti-
walton of the peach has been practiced
with success, so that it would seem to be
lmpracticable to formulate any general
IN e on the subject. The abandonment of
peach cultivation 10y Delaware landown-
ers should, at any rate, have the effect OF
stimulating the tendency to engage in this
industry in those portions of Maryland
where he conditions would seem to be
especially favorable As the Sun has
heretofore suggested. the cpunties o.
Southern Maryland. all of which have ex-
tens:ve water fronts, would seem to be
we'll adapted to the cultivation of peaches,
which indeed has been tried in some por-
tions Of that section with encouraging re-
suits. The possible extinction Of the crop
in Delaware could not fail to inure TO the
benefit of Maryland growers by creating a
deficiency in the supply tor Northern mar
kets. and while it would not be iudicious.
perhaps, to assume that peach growing
will be abandoned in Delaware, it would
be well for Southern Maryland planters,
discouraged as they are at present by the
low prices OF ordinary farm products, to
take into consideration The relative prom
not only of peach growing, but OF fruit
raising generally and also vegetable farm
ing, for which the soil OF Southern Mary
land would appear to be well tiIted.-BIl-
timore Sun.
This is matter to which the Times has
more than once referred. There is no
doubt that our Southern Maryland PENN
sula is naturally well adapted to fruit and
vegetable culture, and it is difficult to see
why an industry that has proved SO remu-
nerative in New Jersey, Delaware and tn.
Eastern Shore peninsula ofthe State should
not aso be made to pay mere. The pres
ent very low prices and poor demand for
tobacco and cereals would seem to iorci-
bly suggest to our farmers the iies Of try
ing some other more remuuerative product.
Fruit growing, especially of the peach,
has in recen' years been carried on with
considerable success in Calvert county:
and her soil and shipping f.ci i'ies are
not any better than ours, if as good. l.
would seem that the time has come
when our farmers should make 4 move in
hat direc ion The few dated expert.
ments: which have been made along our
river fronts seen TO have been fairly sue
cessful The erigicGcIes Of the present
times certainly warrant = we'll tried erper-
ment in that direction. II the industry
If fruit growing were generally engaged
in by 9prApenple and well-orgsnized
fruit grow.rs association formed. great
Advantages in the way of shipping iacii-
ties reduced expenses and q wider and
more certain market could be secured.
The fact that the natural resources Of
New Jersey and Delaware Tor fruit grow
ing are gradually being worn out by time
and long continued cultivation will inevi-
ably lead 10 the transfer OF the seat II that
industry further South. and Maryland will
in the naiura' course of events fall hei, TO
1t I, behoovcs our enterprising farmers
to take time by the forelock and plant or
chards at once Every farmer could plant
an experimental orchard Of a hundred or
TIVE trees at an inconsiderab'e expense and
We hope 10 see our farmers turn their at.
sention in that direction.