Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-03-02

Peach Growing at the South.
The observations of the writer, dur
ing the last summer, have more than
ever convinced him that there are
grand opportunities for fruit growing
in the South, which are by no means
as yet fully appreciated or understood.
Perhaps the fruit that admits
the widest range of culture and at the
same time gives as liberal returns as
any, is the peach. Peaches to
bring good prices in New York mar
kets must fulfil at least four condi-
tions. First, they must be of fair
size, the larger the better. Second,
they must look well, that is, be well
colored up; in other words, ripe, or
nearly so when gathered. Third,
they must be of fine flavor. And
fourth, they must reach market in a
perfect state, without any bruises or
indications OF decay.
The varieties to be grown will, of
course, depend largely on the locality.
Only the very best and earliest kinds
should be planted for the New York
market. There is an evident belief,
on the part of good many fruit
raisers, that anything will sell pro-
vided it is big and fine looking. This
is mistake, as growers will some day
learn to their cost. A wealthy GUS
toner may for once pay fancy price
for fruit, because it is beautiful, but
if he finds it deficient in flavor, he
feels that he has been cheated and goes
elsewhere the next time.
The early markets are always
good markets. Peaches from Flor
ida, for example, of the Eastern
Asiatic varieties, that begin to reach
New York by the last of May or first of
June, if ripe, and in decent condition,
always bring top prices. Those from
the South Atlantic and Gulf States
naturally come next And those
growers that have really fine fruit and
get it to market in good condition sell
dom have to grumble when the returns
come in. 1t cannot, however, be too
distinctly understood that New York
does not want and will not pay remun-
erative prices for poor fruit.
The question of profitable peach
growing is largely a question of judi
cious fertilization. There are some
favored localities where the soil is so
rich that all the needed elements of
plant food are present in abundant
measure. These places are, however,
the exception, aud are generally found
in low bottom lands where peaches of
the finest flavor are not usually grown.
High and dry localities well fortified
usually give the most satisfactory re-
suits. 1t must be remembered that
the peach needs abundant potash and
moderate supply of phosphoric acid
and nitrogen. Humus must also be
present in the soil in fair proportions.
Both these two latter materials, if de-
fcient. may be furnished either by
stable manure or by leguminous
plants. But the potash and phos-
phoric acid, if needed, must be direct
lyapplied, and in such cases it is wise
economy to supply whatever is want
ing in liberal measure. A good for
,mula per acre for peaches would be
phate ana 600 to pounds Of $ 6i1 APidqfs
or, in place OF the latter, $50 to 200
pounds murlate potash. The nitro
gen can be supplied as above recon-
mended. Apply the fertilizers early
in spring broadcast, and work into the
soil.
OF course care and cultivation, pro-
lection against insect and other en-
emies are assumed, and cannot be too
thorough. Picking, shipping and
transportation all have to be look ed
after. And the last is often the most
difficult to deal with of all. SO far
as protection in transit is concern, the
writer will venture single sugges-
ton. The most beautiful package of
early peaches he had the opportunity
of seeing, in the early summer, came
from Florida. They were shipped ex-
actly like eggs, each peach in a sep
arate compartment by itself. The
fruit was ripe and perfect, aud these
peaches readily retailed for ten cents
apiece. L think they were of the
Waldo variety. How much the
grower got for them could not learn.
hope a good price, for he certainly
deserved it.-Norman Robinson.