Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-02
THIRTY-NINE STATES CONNER
CIALLy INTERESTED IN PEACHES

is safer, therefore, to avoid them as far
, u possible.
As y general proposition a site that is
elevated considerably above the sur
rounding areas is to be preferred for
peach orchard. Relative elevation is
generally OF greater importance than
acfual elevation above sea level
It is weli-reeognized fact, though
one too often overlooked in selecting
sites for orchards that cold air settles
to tho lower levels. For this reason it
is ofren colder at the lower elevations
than it is IT higher points in the same
locality. This is what is meant by Tat
ln"SrheTl' drainage. The occurrence
, Of frost Ill low places when there is none
on elevated areas is thus explained For
the same reason peach buds are often
witrrililed or the blossoms are injured
by frost in tn" spring in low places when
bt"r-''T orchards Oh higher elevations
are injured much less, or even cscape
entirely.
Where an orchard occupies a site that
IS adjacent to a large body of water. the
importance OF a relatively high elevation
/ largely disappears TO he a factor in
the mitter. however. a body of water
! must be of sufficient size and depth to
nave an Improbable influence on the local
climate. Because the water warns ,rp
| Ill the spring more slowly than tho at
m DSphere, il acts in effect as a refr;gar-
ator, making the temperature in its i'm
mediate vicinity colder than it is az
points somewhat distant from it. For
| this reason, vegetation within the zone
in oI.
in the spring than it does outside of that
zone. The tendency is for the blossom
! ing of peach trees situated within the
zone TO be delayed until after the sea
son OF spring frosts is past
In The fall, frosts are delayed in a
| similar manner, except that the large
| BODY o. water. having absorbed much
heat during The summer. coois off il, the
fall more slowly than the atmosphere.
and hence it tends TO Keen the ten}nrra-
ture within its zone o" nluencc warmer
than it would otherwise lie
1t is because of these reasons that
peaches are grown with marked success
and injury to the crops by adverse tenn
pcrature conditions is comparatively in
frequent in the portions of New York
and the Province of Ontario that border
Lake ontario: in Ohio along Lake Erie:
in southwestern Michigan on Lake Mich
lgan, and in some other districts which
are adjacent to large bodies OF water
AS rule, the zone of influence of bod
les Of water, such as those named is
rather narrow, usually not extending
back from the shore more than a few
miles.
ryf
point of the compass toward which the
land fnclines. y question very common
ly asked is, What slope is best?" 1t is
one that admits OF no direct answer No
one slope is preferable under all condi-
tons and in all regions. In fact, the in
f1uence which particular exposure may
have in the success of an orchard is
probably much overemphas in the
popular Mind
AS rule, it is doubtless safe to as
sumo that site having a moderate slope
IN some direction is to be preferred for
orchard purposes, other things being
equal, to one that is level. One having
slope will usually have better soil and
atmospheric drainage than a level area.
The new bulletin shows how tempera-
lure is limiting factor in peach grow
ing. 1t also explains the general feat
ures of the propagation of peach trees
which should be understood by peach
growers, even though the average peach
grower is not concerned directly with
the subject. The bulletin then proceeds
to give details regarding the planting
and tilage of the orchard. as we'll as an
explanation Of methods of maintaining
the fertility of the soil. There are
number Of figures illustrating the new
pamphlet which may be had by appli-
cation to the L. S. Department of Agri-
culture, Washington, D. c.
Union Grange at Palmyra.