The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-21

J. H. Hale, who is one of the largest and
most successful orohardists in the South,
contributes the following remarks on the
subject to the American Agrculturist:
A good location, of which the number is
unlimited, is essential Generally a sandy
bam soil is preferable, although a clay
loan is better for Crawfords. The land
should be elevated so that the water can
run off and this will favor the flow of the
cold air to the lower levels, and thus save
the blossoms from spring frosts. While
north slope is generally best, in some years
any other exposure may be better.
The preparation of the ground should be
as good as for any other crop, and success
often depends upon the thoroughness with
which it is done. If land ever needs thor
ough piowing it is just before it is to be
sci to an orchard. Subsoiling will pay if
there is hardpan near the surface, but
al any rate the plowing should be deep and
thorough
Inc distance between the trees will de-
pend upon the varieties, the amount of
iand one has, its value the pruning to be
given and the character of the peach de-
sired In my Georgia orchard plant 10
leet square, but most Michigan growers
prefer u feet each way. The varieties for
local market should be sufficient in num-
yer to cover the season, but if to be shipp-
ga long distances 1t will be better to grow
Two or three kinds that can be gathered
quickly and shipped in car load lots.
WIN peach trees it is of less consequence
claH Is usually supposed to have lots of
nHe roots, as they always become dry be-
!oIe the trees are SET and new ones must
DC QeVelODpd -,
WIN TWO or three roots. In both Georgia
ana Connecticut l use trees II to IS inches
nlsh' cut off the tops, prune back the
Ioots TO two or three inches, and plant by
ee'1lHg spade into the ground, placing the
wee an the crack thus formed and pressing
ule art about it with the foot. When large,
oidhched trees are used, cutting to a whip
Is not as desirable as to leave three or four
OIdhches four or five inches long.
spring planting is best, and If set in the
idl me trees should be well ripened. While
u VIII be easiest to gather the fruit when
saeh variety is set in a block by itself,
mere will also be less fruit to gather, and
II Is better to mix them w a little to Sc
cure me crossing of the flowers.
"hIe in the past peach orchards nave
ueeh used for two or three years for other
crops IN the future the ruleswill be, one
crop at a time, and that is now the rule
VI the most successful growers. Peach
SOWING IS exhaustive upon the land and
Hrull2ers viii soon be required. For pot
sSH the best source is wood ashes. Phos-
pHotlc acid viii also be needed when they
peslh bearing, and can be obtained from
Ia"' ground bone. If fed a well-balanced
Iauoh, rich in potash and phosphorc acid,
s"' less rich in nitrogen, the trees will
Aeep up their growth throughout the sea-
syH and will be harder than if they ripen
uier growth early, from lack of food or
"a'er and then In the fail make a late
growth
after planting, stir the soil deeply each
spIHg for the first few years so as TO
make them root deeply, and after the
SOUND is filled with roots lessen the depth.
any KIND of a shallow working drag can
" used at frequent intervals, up TO the
une some green crop should be sown. For
ioUHs orchards l use cowpeas or sofa
peahs, sowing them in drills two and cTie-
a'I4 Ieet apart, and cultivate them with
narrow cultivator until the last of Aug
ust.
- IS a good plan to rub off the surplus
SHOOTS that start the first year, thus Sc
tutiHg a good head. The next spring cut
JACK from one-fourth TO one-third. III
lore than this, the main limbs VIII
ranch so near the trunk that the top viii
100 thick. If they can be left two nd
Sne-half feet or three feet long, all the
te'.er. The next year cut the new growth |
~ WE'VE inches and keep this up until
te Trees begin to bear. In forming the
Id To 1t Is best to have three or four
'Aehes start eighteen or twenty ncnes