Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-01
AFTER THE CHINESE PEACH
Department Of Agriculture Expert
Will Travel 5000 Miles for X.

Twenty-fi thousand miles looking
for a peach-that Is the stupendous
journey which has been undertaken by
Frank N. Meyer, agricultural explorer
for the United States department OF
agriculture, says Washington letter.
The peach Is worthy Of the effort, ac-
cording to the stories that have crept
eastern China. -, "a
The peach is described by travellers
who have seen and tasted 1t as the
biggest and most marvellous combina-
tion of external beauty and internal
lusciousness. Three pounds Is the
apocryphal limit ascribed to the. fruit
by irresponsible natives Of the wilds
Of west China. Mr.. Meyer, in q report
to the department, promises peach
that will weigh at least q pound and Is
large as muskmelon. This wonder
full peach grows in the province of
Shantung. 1t Is known to the Chinese
as the Felt Ching, or Felt Tau. No
specimens have ever been brought to
bring back with him from a previous
journey several scions Of the Felt
Ching peach and number Of seeds.
The scions failed to produce when
grated upon American grown seed
ling stocks. They had failed to with
stand transportation. The depart
ment experimenters .. took ichance
with the seeds and have grown sever
al trees at the experimental station at
Fayetteville, N. c.. None of them has
yet fruited, and 1t is the belief Of the
experts that nothing extraordinary
will be developed from the seedlings.
Like other fruits, the Seeding peach
only develops desirable fruitings In
60 ,,fh fhar
Burbank, hardly more than one desir-
able Seeding out or planting Of 100, 900
seeds is to be expected by the agricul-
turists. x IS ="
The 25,000-mile journey Of Mr.. Mey-
er began a fortnight ago, when he
sailed for London for conference
with notable European agriculturists
before he takes the final dive into the
Orient, 1t is not only the Felt Ching
peach which is sounding the call Of
the east for the American explorer.
Under the direction Of the bureau Of
plant industry, Mr.. Meyer Is inaugu-
rating a three-year sojourn in the
wilds Of southeastern Russia and wes-
tern China for the purpose Of study
ing suitable crops Of all sorts for
tions Of the United States where the
limit of frostless days Is not more
than IS or 80 per annum. Not one
branch Of the activities Of the depart
ment Of agriculture, but all branches
Of its work Will be observed by Mr.
Meyer. Fruits, vegetables, cereals and
also trees especially suited for the de-
velopment Of windbreaks in the wind
swept areas Of the great plains region
will be observed by him.
At the last session of congress an
appropriation Of $4,000 was made for
the establishment at Mandan, N. D.,
for Just this particular class OF vege-
tation. Quick growing crops Of all
sorts will be observed, and shade trees
and ornamental plants which can be
transported and transplanted to the
United States will be examined.
Mr.. Meyer Is accompanied by no
American assistant. He will, upon his
arrival in southeastern Russia, organ
iZe his own caravan. He carries with
him materials for the packing and
preservation of the scions Of trees
and for the carrying. home OF roots
and seeds Of other plant organisms.
Interpreters will be engaged for the
various stages Of the long journey and
coolie carriers and camel drivers will
make up the remainder Of his party.
ne eApeclS W arrive dl ITO osoi 'ih6
point east of the Black Sea very
soon. From then on he will be, for
the greater portion Of his time, out Of
the sight Of European face, and for
the next three years he will devote all
his time to the study Of the plant life
Of the Oriental regions. He expects to
return to the United States late in
1915, but whenever possible during his
long sojourn specimens for American
experimentation will be dispatched to
the department. and he will send in
from time to time detailed reports OF
progress.