every limb should be shortened or cut back one half; this is to pre-



BY GRAFTING— TRAXSPLANTING. 263

vent Injury from high winds or heavy snows, which frequently break
the tree, just at the insertion of the bud.

Some bud upon the plum stock, for the purpose of dwarfing the
tree; and when ^o done the month of August is best. The exact
time cannot be stated, as seasons vary even in the same section of
country, but the watchful eye will soon learn to detect the period
when the young stock is about to form its terminal bud, and then is
generally the best time. If the bud is inserted too early in the sea-
son, on the Peach stock, it is liable to overgrow and "gum."

Budding the Peach may also be performed in the month of June,
on trees of two or more years old. It is done in same manner as
that in common budding, except in selecting the buds, you select a
young shoot, of about one to two inches grown, and, cutting it back
to one or two leaves, you insert and tie as in the common mode.

By Grafting. — This is rarely performed at the North, but may be
made tolerably successful if performed very early on trees standing in
warm, light soil. A strong, sharp knife or spade should first be used
around, cutting off all the roots of the tree, at about one foot from
the body of a tree four feet high — the tree headed back about one
half, and the lower limbs cut into about two buds each — the graft
inserted in the manner termed tongue or whip-grafting, tied with
soft bark, and covered with a ball of grafting-clay. When the graft
has made one foot growth, the ligature should be loosed, and the
lower limbs cut in smoothly to the body. Some cultivators in the
southern States graft into the crown of the root, and when the stocks
are small it is a good way ; but the cleft grafting mode is then best.

Transplanting.— \u transplanting from the nursery to the orchard,
the limbs, or branches, should be shortened back to the form of a
pyramidal, rounded head, having the lower limbs within two feet of
the ground, and not exceeding one foot long. 'Ihe side roots should
only have their ends smoothed with a sharp knife, all broken or
bruised roots cut away, and the tap root cut off to within one foot
of the crown.

Distances apart. — On light, sandy soils, twelve feet apart each
way is sufficient for the peach ; but on good strong soil, the trees re-
quire from eighteen to twenty-five feet, in order, when full grown, ^o
enable them to mature their fruit with full exposure to the sun.

Soil and Situation. — The soil whereon to make plantations of the
peach is a matter of great import, as thereby hang the main chances
of success or failure. The following analysis, made by B. Kirtland,
Esq., of Poland, Ohio, from three esteemed varieties, viz.. Yellow
Rareripe, Morris Red Rareripe, and Morrisania, will be found ex-
tremely useful to every planter, as it is easy to get an analysis made
of soils, and from the two the planter will know at once which par



26-i



THE PEACH.



ticular manure is required to perfect his fruit, and give vigor to his
trees. Equal quantities of limbs and twigs from the three kinds
above named, were taken, and after having been thoroughly dried
(whereby they lost about 44 per cent, of water), carefully burned
with a moderate heat, yielding as follows :



Charcoal and Sand, .








3.180


Silica, ....








1.480


Per phosphate of Iron,








2.174


Potash, .








. 12.545


Soda,








2.000


Sulphate of Lime, .








2.258


Lime, ....








. 23.951


Phosphate of Lime,








. 21.699


Magnesia,








7.052


Peroxide of Manganese,








.800


Chloride of Sodium,








.699


Carbonic Acid,








. 33.350




111.188


Loss in Analysis,




» •




3.812



115.000

These analyses show the wood of the Peach tree as next to the
Pear in amount of Phosphates, and also the erroneous impression so
generally current, that the Peach requires a light, sandy soil. The
most vigorous, healthy trees we have ever seen are growing on the
borders of the Ohio River, on what is termed limestone soil, and
Avhere perfect drainage is naturally formed by the hills. On the
prairies the trees grow rapidly, but to us have the appearance of a
forced, green-house plant, and unable to endure aught but genial air,
while feeding thus upon one or two of the elements of growth, and
at the same time devoid of others requisite to the perfection of
healthy wood. Lime and bone dust, we judge, will be found espe-
cially beneficial in perfecting truly healthy trees, capable of endur-
ing the great changes of climate on our western prairies. If to this
application be added the practice of shortening in during the month
of September, and perfect drainage of water from the roots, we be-
lieve the tree will be found to endure more successfully the extreme
changes of climate.

The duration of the Peach tree we consider greatly dependent
upon the soil being properly drained, and containing the proper pro-
portions of food toward forming perfect wood. The doctrine of ex-
cretions of vegetables, is one which we are yet inclined to support,
naving been unable to succeed, even with renewed preparation of the



SEASON TO TRANSPLANT — CULTIVATION. 265

soil, in growing two successive crops of the same kind of tree upon
the same plot.

A rank, luxuriant tree, with shoots spongy, sappy, plethoric, un-
ripened, and incapable of being matured, with the roots in an un-
draincd, c©ld, or wet soil, is too often regarded as thrifty, when in
truth it is but the expression of a false stimulant, as in the human
frame, exciting only to destroy.

The situation of a peach-orchard should, if possible, be upon high
grounds, as less subject to extreme and severe changes of tempera-
ture, and as tending to more perfect maturity of wood in fall of year,
and later period of blooming in spring. If the trees are low-branched
and well shortened in, supplied with requisite inorganic elements in
the soil, the lay of the land to the east, south, or north will only
affect the time of ripening the fruit : that to the south maturing about
one week earlier than that toward the north. Elevated situations,
surrounded by, or bordering on, bodies of water, will often furnish
fruits when adjacent valleys fail ; and this is especially true where
the bodies of water do not entirely freeze over during winter: the
southern shores of several of our lakes rarely failing to produce
p 'aches when the entire crop is destroyed five or ten miles back in
file interior. Even slight knolls often protect the crop, an instance
of which we had in our own grounds, where trees were distant only
thirty feet ; in one night all of the buds upon the lower limbs, or
more than half way up, being destroyed on the tree standing on what
would be termed the level, while on the tree on the knoll not one
was injured.

The destruction of buds by extreme cold in the winter is of rare
occurrence, except the tree has been excited by a season of warm
weather, or has been grown in the manner called " thrifty," pre-
viously noted. Where trees are steadily and healthily grown, they
are capable of wishstanding 20*^ to 25° below zero without injury,
unless immediately followed by clear, warm sun, or the tree being
in an immature, unhealthy state.

Season to Transplant. — Throughout the northern and western
States it is best to transplant the Peach in the spring. South or
Southwest, flill or midwinter may be best — but from remarks of
many writers, we incline to the belief, that early in March or the
last of February is best, as they occasionally have some severe
changes in January, very trying to newly planted trees. The ground
should alway be prepared in the fall.

Cultivation. — The ground about peach trees should always be
kept clean ; if planted on light, sandy soil, running through an or-
chard with a cultivator so as not to break the roots ; if upon rich
prairie or limescone soils, the ground may be plowed and cropped
■without injury ; but on the sandy, light soil no crop except the white
12



266



THE PEACH.



turnip should ever be grown, and that pays best to be turned under
by a very shallow plowhig of, say, two inches deep. On rich, deep
prairie soils, it is best not to stir the ground after midsummer.

Pruning. — The fruit being borne only ^n wood of
the preceding year, one of the great objects in pruning,
is to keep all parts of the tree furnished with a regular
and constant succ-ession of annual bearing shoots. P.
Barry, in his " Fruit Garden," has the following, so cor
roc-tly descriptive of the mode, that we adopt it, together
with a cut illustrative of buds, on which C. D. E. are
fruit buds, F. G. ^. leaf buds, /. double buds, C. triple
buds ; the two side buds being fruit buds, and the centro
one a leaf bud. By referring to the branch, it will be
seen that it is furnished with a certain number of wood
buds and fruit buds. At the base, there are always one
or more wood buds.

Now, if that shoot were not pruned, all the fruit buds
on it would produce fruit, — one, two, or three of the
wood buds at the t(^p would make new shoots ; these
would necessarily be very weak, in consequence of the
number of fruit below them. At the end of the season
there would be a long, vacant space, entirely destitute of a
young shoot or a living bud. This is the way that the inte-
rior and lower parts of trees become so soon degarnished.

But when that shoot is shortened, we will say one half,
the sap is retained in its lower parts, one half of the
fruit buds are removed, and the consequence is, that
large and fine fruits are obtained from those remaining:
young vigorous shoots are produced from the lower
buds to bear next year, and
take the place of those which
have already borne. In this
way regular uniform crops of
lafge and fine fruit are ob-
tained, and a constant succes-
sion of young shoots is kept up.




To form the head of a stand-
ard Peach Tree. — We will
suppose it the intention to
form a standard tree, with a
trunk two feet in height, and a
round, open, and symmetrical
head, like figure. We take
a yearling tree and cut it back to within two feet and a half of the



Form of a low standard peacb
tree, wilh a stem two feet high,
and a round, open head.



DISEASES A^'D INSECTS INJURIOUS. 267

ground in the spring. Below this cut a certain number of shoots
will he produced, from which three will be selected to form the main
branches or frame-work of the head. All the others are rubbed off
when two or three inches long or sooner. At the end of the season
we have a tree with three branches.

The second year these three branches are cut back full one half
their length, and from each we take a shoot to continue the branch,
and one to form a secondary branch. The other shoots produced
below {b<^se are pinched or checked to prevent them from interfering
with the growth of the leading branches. In the fall of the year we
have a tree with six leading branches, and some bearing shoots be-
low on the older wood.

The third year each of these six branches is shortened one half,^in
order to obtain more secondary branches, and some fruit branches
on the lower parts. All young shoots on the old wood, whether
fruit branches or not, should be cut back one half, or as far as may
•be necessary, to cause the wood buds at their base to push, and
make shoots to bear next year.

The formation of the head goes on as described for two or three
years more, when it is complete ; for peach trees, properly pruned,
do not assume such wide spreading forms as they do naturally. The
main branches and secondary branches should be at equal distances
throughout, and far enough apart to give the bearing wood on their
sides the full benefit of the sun and air.

An equality of vi^T;or should also be preserved amongst them by
summer pinching. It is not uncommon to see a very vigorous shoot
start up in a peach tree, and appropriate so much of the sap as to
injure a whole branch ; these should be checked the moment their
character is observed, unless they may be wanted to fill a vacancy.
Every part of the branches should be furnished with bearing shoots,
and these should, every spring, be shortened in one half or more, to
produce others at their base, whilst those that have borne are cut out.'

With the advice above, as well as of most writers, to shorten
back or prune the Peach in the Spring, we do not fully agree ; be-
lieving, rather, that if the operation be performed in September, it
will enable the tree to more fully perfect the remaining buds, and
fit it to endure changes of temperature during winter.

Z>iseases and Insects injurious. The Curl of the Leaf. The first
developed leaves, in the spring, often become diseased with a spongy
and malignant growth, exhibiting reddish blot-ches or swellings on the
upper side, that, after two or three weeks, causes them to fall off. "This
occurs at a period when the vigorous circulation of the sap requires a
corres})onding action in those important organs. A second growth is
soon forced out, which ultimately restores the tree to its wonted force
and vigor. It is, however, evident, that though the recuperative



268 THE PEACH.

powers of nature may, for once, twice, ^r even thrice, restore a
growth of leaves, the shock must at length impair the vitality, and
induce an unhealthy condition." This curl of the leaf is produced
by the punctures of a small plant-louse, the '■'• Aphis persica^''' fully
described by Dr. Harris m his work on Insects.

A mixture of tobacco water and strong soapsuds applied with a
syringe, early, or as soon as the leaves are one third grown, wiil be
found a good remedy. Barry regards the curl of the leaf induced
by sudden change of weather — a number of warm days that cause
the expansion of the young leaves, followed by a cold, rainy day ;
the more severe and protracted the cold, the more severe and fatal
the curl.

The YeVows. What is regarded as the Yellows is little known
throughout the West ; neither have we ever observed it, to any ex-
tent, in the New England States, except where trees w^ere procured
from, or grown on poor, sandy soils, enfeebled and imperfect from
their first start. That it may be perpetuated by innoculation, or
sowinir seeds from trees diseased, we have no doubt ; it therefore
behooves every tree grower to be careful from whence he procures
his pits for stocks. Prof Kirtland says : " It is questionable whether
any distinct disease occurs, to which this name is applicable. Per-
haps it is only a collection of symptoms arising from causes acting
either individually or collectively. Facts seem to favor this view,
though the insight of popular opinion is in favor of its being a spe-
cific and contagious disease." Depredations of the ^geria exitiosa,
Aphis jy^rsica, exhaustion of elements in the soil, and want of correct
pruning appear to be the primary causes, and, in reference thereto.
Prof Kirtland further remarks : " In estimating the power and ex-
tent of these causes, it should be recollected that an injurious Im-
pression, acting constantly upon successive generations of either
animal or vegetable species, may ultimately establish a hereditary
entailment that may be propagated in the form of predisposition
to disease, or disease itself The converse is equally true in pro-
ducing health or physical development.

These several causes have been exerting their influence on the
Peach tree for a long term of years, impairing the stamina and
health of its fruit germs. These impressions have been propagated
and re-propagated, in conjunction with the action of the primary
causes of impairment, till at length we have only a sickly progeny."

The remedy is to cut down and destroy all. diseased trees; the
preventive is judicious cultivation.

Mildciv. This is the name applied to a minute fungus which at-
tacks the ends of the young branches of some particular varieties,
termed serrated or glandless. It checks growth, and renderti the



THE PEACH WORM.



269




tree unsightly. Application, by means of a syringe, of one ounce of
nitre to one gallon of water, in proportion, will destroy it, and, at
the same time, add to vigor and health of the tree. Dusting of sul
phur is by some advi<«^d.

The Peach ivorm or Borer, uSgeria exitiosa, was known as early
as before the commencement of the present century, and has been
repeatedly described. There are two sexes, and so remarkably
different that some natu-
ralists have almost hesita-
ted in arranmii<T tlicin.
"The insect, in its peiiV-ct
state, is a slender, duiU
blue, four - winged moth,
somewhat like a wasp. It
commences depositing its
eggs in the soft and tender
bark at the base of the trunk, usually about the last of June, but at
different times, from June to October. The egg hatches, and be-
comes a small white borer
or grub, (Jig. a), which
eventually grows to three
fourths of an inch long, pen-
etrates mid devours the bark
and sap - wood, and, after
passing the winter in the
tree, it enfolds itself in a cocoon, {Jiff. b\ under or upon the bark,
and emerges again in a perfect or winged form in June, and com-
mences depositing its eggs for another generation."

Multiform have been the prescribed remedies for protection
against this insect, but none have been found infallible; and the
careful cultivator will find the use of a sharp knife, once in June,
and again in September, applied to cutting out the worm, whose lo-
cation is easily discovered by exudation, near the crown of the roots,
of gummy matter — a far better preventive, and also really cheaper,
than heaping up of ashes, cinders, etc., etc.

Gatkcrim/. — If for immediate use the peach should not be gath-
ered until fully ripe, but if intended for market it is necessary often
to gather while yet firm.

Characters and Classification. — The general outward characters of
many kinds are so nearly similar that it is necessary to resort to
other means than exhibited in the fruit in order to identify varieties.
This, even with all the means at command, is (^ften ver}- difficult,
owing to the numerous seedlings constantly being proJucei!. The
distinct'on of freestones and clinsgtones (melters and pavirs of the




270



THE PEACH.



English) is the most natural and weP understood ; next, the distinc-
tion by means of what are termed glands on the leaves, as also the
indentations or irregular edge of the leaf termed creneate, serrated,
and coarsely serrated ; and last the distinction by means of the flow-
ers, as large or small. This last is open only to examination a short
period, and therefore is not used except by the careful amateur po-
mologist, or correct nurseryman.
• The accompanying figures are illustrative :

Figure 1, the ser
rated without glands;
figure 2,coarsely ser-
rated, and with glo-
bose glands; figure
3, creneate and with
reniform or kidney
shaped glands. "The
form of the glands,"
observes Lindley,
" as well as their po-
sition, is perfectly
distinct ; they are
fully developed in
the month of May, and continue to the last permanent in their char
acter,'and are not affected by cultivation. The globose glands are
situated, one, two, or more, on the foot stalks, and one, two, or
more, on the tips or points of the serratures of the leaves. The reniform
glands grow also on the footstalks of the leaves, but those on the leaves
are placed within the serratures, connecting, as it were, the upper
and lower teeth of the serratures together ; their leaves, when taken
from a branch of vigorous growth, have more glands than the leaves
of the globose varieties. It will, however, sometimes happen, that
glands are not discernable on some of the leaves, especially on those^^
produced from weak branches; in this case, other branches must be'
sought for which do produce them." Lindley, as well as most wri-
ters^ since, have rendered these classes, with sub-classes or divisions,
founded mainly on the structure of the leaves, but we have prefer-
red, in this fruit as well as others, to embody the distinction in the
text descriptive of a variety, and confine ourself to the practical
every day wanted division of " best," " very good," and " good."
The word "Melocoton" only meaning "peach," we have dropped, and
only use it in connection with the synonyms.

Uses. — The various uses made of the peach are so w^ell known as
not to require a word, yet the profit to be obtained from drying or
preserving fresh, the fruit, w^hen distant from market, induces us to




PRESERVING THE FRESH FRUIT. 271

extract the following descriptions. Downing says, " in Western
New York, and indeed in most parts of the country where peaches
are largely cultivated, the fruit is dried, and in this state sent to mar-
ket in very large quantities. The drying is performed, on a small
scale, in spent ovens; on a large scale, in a small drying house
heated by a stove, and fitted up with ventilated drawers. These
drawers, the bottoms of which are formed of laths, or narrow strips
sufficiently open to allow the air to circulate through them, are filled
with peaches in halves. They are cut in two without being peeled,
the stone taken out, and the two halves placed in a single layer with
the skin dowuiward. In a short time the heat of the drying house
will complete the drying, and the drawers are then ready for a sec-
on(t filling. Farther south they are spread upon boards or frames,
and dried in the sun merely ; but usually, with the previous prepa-
ration, of dipping the peaches (in baskets,) for a few minutes in
boiling water before halving them."

Preserving the fresh fruit. — Thomas describes the process as fol-
lows : " Prepare the canisters in the best manner, of good tin —
about seven or eight inches in length, and four to four and a half in
diameter. Whatever be the size, they should be uniform, that they
may be heated alike. The fruit selected should be just ripe and no
more, free from specks or bruises. When the canisters are filled,
the tops are to be carefully soldered on, leaving a hole in them
about the size of a small pin for the escape of the air. They are
then to be set in a vessel of water, to be kept boiling moderately,
until the temperature of the fruit is raised to that of the water.
The way in which this is ascertained, is to put a drop of water on
the pin hole, which will continue to bubble as long as the air escapes
from the canister. When the internal temperature is equal to that
of the water, no more air will escape. The water is then to be
wiped oft^, and a drop of solder immediately put in its place. The
boiling water should be raised as near to the tops of the canisters as
possible, so as not to cover them. If the operatimi has been pi-o-
perly conducted, the ends of the canisters will, shortly after the cool-
ing has taken place, be depressed, in consequence of the external
pressure of the atmosphere. The degree of heat to which the fruit
is subjected does not cook it in the least. It is proper that the cim-
isters should be set in a cool place. The vessel in which the water
is to be kept boiling, must of coarse have a level bottom ; and every
one who is disposed to try the experiment can devise one for him



272 THE PEACH.



VARIETIES.



The varieties of the peach have within a few years been largely
increased, but as the fruit is, when matured, quickly perishable, we
have endeavored to select out only those that are really valuable,
and that will furnish a perfect succession from earliest to latest.
Many varieties are undoubtedly good in their immediate locality,
and often perhaps .equal the best, yet there seems no necessity for
increasing the numbers unless some evident superiority is found
either in fruit or tree.

Ihe periods of ripening, which we have attached to each variety,
mark its character on the southern shore of Lake Erie, in northern
0K\o. At Cincinnati it will often be found two weeks earlier, while
at Boston or Buffalo it will be eight or ten days later.



CLASS I. — Worthy General Cultivation.
Bergen.

Bergen's Yellow.

American. It much resembles Yellow Rareripe, but ripens about
ten days later ; a moderate regular bearer. Flowers, small ; glands,
reniform ; fruit, large, globular ; depressed, broad suture, distinct,
rather more than half round ; skin, deep orange, with a broad red
cheek ; Jlesh, yellow, melting, and of luscious flavor. Season, early
September. Freestone.

Brevoort.

Brevoort's Morris. | Brevoort's Seedling Melter