The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-29
For the Democratic Press.


Edinburgh Peach Orchards.
1t is a generally admitted truth that
the peach orchards of this township
produce fruit consecUtiveiy. Why is
this? shall endeavor to give atural
local causes. Going from New Mil
ford eastward on the center road,
through Edinburg. to the Mahoning
in Palmyra, you will observe porth-
ward series of undulatiug hills, rang
ing from three quarters to one and
one half miles in width, and abaut
eight miles in length. These hills are
part of the middle fruit belt of the
State, running from Sandusky to
Youngstown. Geologically speaking,
| it is called the Yellow Sandstone
Mineral Ridge, having in deposit in
many localities pockets of coal, and
iron ore, especially so in Edinburg
and Palmyra. Talmage is in this
range of fruit belt, Akron, and so on
west. but not considered reliable in
fruitage. The outcroppipg of this
sand rock, and layers of coal and iron
ore are very apparent in EdinbuTg.
Some day these beds of sandrock, coal
and ore will be utilized
These undulating hills have slopes
favorable to peach and cherry growth.
Thoroughly underdrained naturally,
they offer a warm, productive soil to
these sensitive, Southern climated
trees.
Some thirty years ago few farmers
owning land ou these hills conceived
the idea that peach planting would
pay. Some eight to ten thousand trees
were put out, and it has been found al
lucrative business. This coming spring
the planting will he increased, so that
over two hundred acres will be in cul
tivatioD to the peach. And the mania
will not stop here, and VIII not stop
until every slope on these undulstipg |
hills will be covered with this luscious |
growth, based upon the fact these hills |
produced annually for thirty consecu-
tive years, with only two failures,
while it has been notedly observed |
that eleven failures have occurred 10 |
other fruit belts of the State, during |
these thirty years of observation.
Fruit growers greatest enemy is frost. |
The midwinter cold waves from the |
north and east, and frosts the latter |
days of April and first few days of
May, variable but always reliable. In
these days Jack hate to give up to the |
prestige of Sol. Mother Earth looks
covered with bloom, which
gives promise of many happy days.
now wish to call attention to the
natural protection these hills have
from their natural enemy-frosG. The
observer. standing on any of these hills
on the road from Edin
burgh to Ravenna, and on the Center
road to Charlestown looking north
ward and easi ward he will observe a
row Of hills, crescent formed, ranging
from ShalersVille, Hiram. Freedom
and Charlestown, with the Upper Ma
honing Valley intervening. These
hills give sto m rake
to the Edinburgh fruitage 70 be
more explicit, stand on the cupola of
hiram College, you are then OH the
apex of these crescent formed hills,
Look over to Edinburg, you will see
the wave of our range, the valley more
ssrikingly. Again, turning, look north
over Geauga county, and see the great
level plains, exposed to the cold win.
ter winds from the icebound lake;
mercury ranging on the exposed hills
to Is degrees below zero, on our hills
3 to 10 degrees below, and ouiy twice
in thirty years, IL degrees below zero
These atmospheric cause 81 on fruitage
have enEcarefully observed for 80
years. The cold wave sweeping over
these crescent formed hills gets mod
Grated coming over the valley; it comes
IN contact with more congenial atmos
pheric influences, mederating the tenn
perature, and hence the severity is
checked. The study of natural pro-
tective causes to the fruitage of Edin
burgh, is not the only qualification to
the naturalist. He will see phenom
email formation of hills, and deep cut
valley, which will lead him 10 further
Investigation. The geologist finds
here field of study shrouded in mys
lery, the artist an attractive Landscape
that meets his eye.
Artificial protection from spring
frosts, and planting. will he in my
next. THEODORE CLARK,
Highland Home Fruit Farm.