Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-01-17
Peach Growing in the South.

hardly an acre of tillable soil IN III"
United States where some or the hu-
nerous varieties of this delicious 1rut
cannot be successfully grown
During the present year by far the
largest crop OF this fruit ever pro
dnced here has been marketed "l.h
more or less of profit to the growers.
Over large areas insect depredanoha
and fungoid diseases have proved es-
pecially disastrous, yet, taxing tue
country as a whole, While there -
nothing TO encourage extravaganza
hopes of profit, it may be safely saId
that there is nothing to suggest dis
coura cement.
So far as many portions OF the SOUTH
are concerned, the outlook for peach
growing is unusually hopeful. Hlther-
TO we have had everything to encouf-
age the industry, except one, ana that
is 4 nearby sale for the fruit just
now. in q quiet way, and in great
many places, an industrial revolution
is in progress which promises 10
change all this. The markets are CON-
ing this way Every cotton factory,
or machine shop of any kind means
more mouths to feed and more nome
demand for fruit, and when that
| good time coming is here, it Will be
here to stay, and the day of giving
tWo-thirds OF every Dushel Of peaches
grown to the railroads and trusting
luck and commission men for the
other third, will only be remembered
as an unhappy incident OF early and
bye-gOne days.
Whenever, therefore, the rapid
growth of cities especially manufac-
turing cities, promises {. home market.
the peach grower may consider his
prospects especially good and those
who are first to take advantage OF
such favorable conditions may expect
the largest rewards.
Those who are contemplating the
planting Of new peach orchards can
not be too careful in the selection of
soil. preparation Of the ground, and
the choice of varieties to be grown. so
far as the first is concerned, a sandy
| loan with a clay subsOn and good
drainage give best results. The prep
ration OF the soil can hardly be TOO
thorough. If the ground selected has
been previously cultivated, it should
be we'll plOwed, narrowed, and, if not
already rich. moderately fortified IA
the late summer or autumn before the
trees are set. If a crop of cow peas
has just been grown on the land so
much the better. A great deal depenGs
on the way the trees are planted. This
work should never be trusted to or
binary farm laborerS. Healthy and
vigorous trees q year old should be
selected, shortened in to not more than
two feet of stem to encourage low
branching. A good soaking of water
should be given at the time Of planting
and a mulch of straw. pine needles Or
some other moisture holding material
should at once be applied.
Those who plant a peach orchard
with the expectation that it will care
for itself after it is set out, had bet.
ter abandon the business before they
begin. No fruit tree responds more
promptly to care and proper culture
or is more certain to resent inatten-
ton and neglect. Clean culture, abun.
dant fertilization, careful and system
attic pruning and Il vigilant and dc
termined fight with insect pests and
fungoid diseases are the essential con.
ditiOns of a favorable result
The selection of proper varieties for
any given locality is also Il matter re.
curing the utmost care. Almost every
peach growing region has special eli.
matte and other conditions. which
make it unWiSe TO depend upon the
advice Of men at q distance. The c.;-
perience of local growers is always
worthy Of attention, and generally to
be preferred to those which, however
good a showing they may make else
where have yet to prove their fitness
for the particular region for which the
selection is to be made
Probably the greatest mistakes that
are likely to be made by peach grow
ers are in the matter of fertiliZa ton
The peach tree is blessed with vigor.
Gus appetite and it will consume and
make H"Tiiita Ole use of about all tie
plant FOOD that the most liberal grow
er will supply. OF course, no general
prescription will answer for all soils
but IN most cases y half pound or 50
or fertilizer containing four or five
per cent. of nitrogen. eight or nine of
phosphOric acid and ten of potash NAV
adVanfa geOuSly be worked into the
soil, yard or SO in all directions