Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-02-23
and Field.
By JOHN J. GILL.
The Peach.

healthful and nutritious fruit of al
most universal favor, whether fresh,
dried, preserved or canned. 1t is
supposed to have originated in Asia
and its successful cultivation is
mainly confined to the southern
temperature zone. In suitable loca-
lions and with proper treatment it
can be grown as far north as the for
ty-second parallel. In this latitude
it is liable to injury in excessively
cold winters. 1t is usually propa-
gated III nurseries by budding but
many think seedlings are more de-
sirable on account OF their greater
endurance of sudden changes Of
temperature. They say also that
the inferiority of their fruit is amply
compensated by their greater regu-
larity of production. However this
may be, i'm the opinion of the writer,
as some seedlings are true to variety,
orchards ought to contain beth bud
ded and seeding trees. Peaches
like q loose loan but it should not
be too rich as their growth is rapid
and course and ought not to be
overlooked. The cultivation of the
peach in sod land promises to pre-
vent climatic injury but in such sit
uations it requires rich mulching.
Peaches are most SUCCESSFULLY grown
upon elevated lands on account of
their greater freedom from late and
early frosts. 1t is a mooted ques-
ton whether the banks of rivers fur
nish the best sites for peach Or
chards. As a rule peach trees re-
quire more pruning than apple trees
and greater care in forming their
heads. Some advise their being
trimmed to a stick at planting. Ii
this is done buds should be left at
base of each removed shoot. What
eve plan is pursued there must be
annual pruning to prevent them
from taking on the struggling spread
ing appearance to which there is
natural tendency. The peach comes
into bearing in from two to four
years after planting. 1t is hard to
determine the duration of peach
trees. Usually they are not long
lined. There is tendency in the
peach to overbearing and when too
many blossoms set they ought to be
thinned, otherwise the tree will be
liable to serious injury. Imperfect
fruit should be always removed.
One specimen to every five inches
of wood is a good rule. Increase of
size will then prevent loss of guam
tity. The peach is more injured by
the ripening of pelts than the pro-
duction of pulp. It is white and
yellow feshed, and cling and free
stone. Hale's Early Alexander and
Amsden are good early varieties;
Crawford's early and late, Old Nixon
Free and Cling, Smock, Stump and
Mountain Rose are good later sorts.
Heath Cling is the best late variety
and Ellison is a good reliable seed
ling.
ONIONS.
For the garden it will be best to
secure onion sets. These are of
two sorts-bottom or seed sets and
top or bottom sets; besides these
there are potato onion sets. Bot
tom and button sets may be planted
four inches apart IN drills distant
one foot from each other. Potato
sets should be put one foot apart
every way. Place the crown of the
sets ever with the surface. Hoe
frequently and keep the bulbs free
from grass and weeds. Onions can
also be grown from seed. AS early
in the spring as the condition of the
ground Will admit SOW thinly in
drills one foot apart, cover with fine
earth and when the plants are strong
enough thin out to four inches apart.
1t also answers admirably to sow
onions in hot beds and transplant
them into drills. For sets use vel
low, red or white sorts. For large
onions get the black seeded varie-
ties.
RADIsHEs.
Radishes require a rich soil, deep,
ly broken up and well fined. With
out these requisites and rapid
growth mild and tender radishes
cannot be grown. Plant in drills
one foot apart, cover lightly and thin
out to three inches apart in the
drill. This should be done as early
as possible. Very early radishes
are raised in hot beds. 1t answers
a good purpose to sow radishes with
beets, cabbage, turnips or other
vegetables planted in drills. They
mark out their position and render
it possible to cultivate them early.