V • * • •- ^ aP ,» " '♦ *> V o " «* o. **°k J . ^ .. G* *o «*5^ A G° ^W. °o / *P •i!ftL'* ^ v % *»••- ^ a? a?- *jjw^«" *&. «?, "a^^.*_ ^ V" »*. o r oV ""O- *° • * * A V * ^ -J a5°^ V * " * °- ^ a? vl^L'* > ' V •!.*•* ^ * Ta a"* *jsf\M^* vS>- V . * • •# c» *. o o V ^v J* \ \ - a**?. THIZE] SOTTTZHCEIR/IN" APPLE AND PEACH CDLTDEIST, ADAPTED TO THE SOIL AND CLIMATE OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, THE CAROLINAS, GEORGIA AND FARTHER SOUTH, INCLUDING PORTIONS OF THE WEST AND WEST VIRGINIA, CONTAINING FULL AND PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN SUCCESSFUL CULTURE, GRAFTING, BUDDING, TRAINING, TRANSPLANTING, MULCHING, PRUNING, FRUIT- GATHERING, &C, &C, TOGETHER WITH V . MOST ESTEEMED ORCHARD FRUITS, SUITABLE FOR THE TABLE, THE KITCHEN, AND FOR MARKET PURPOSES, with iXiXiTJSTia-A.'rioisrs.' ALSO A TREATISE ON INSECTS AND THEIR EXTERMINATION. BY /do f) JAMES FITZ, Keswick, Va.. Practical Horticulturist, member of the Virginia Horticultural Society and the American Ponvological Society. J. W. FITZ, Editor, Prof. West Tennessee Female College. J. W. RANDOLPH & ENGLISH, IS IS IV1AIN STREET, RICHMOND, VA 1872. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1872, By J. w. fitz, and J. w. Randolph & English, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. b^> Fergusson & Radt, Printers. Richmond. PREFACE. One of the most prominent authors on American Horticul- ture, says in the preface to his excellent work on " Fruit and Fruit Trees," "A man born in one of the largest gardens, and upon the banks of one of the noblest rivers of America, ought to have a natural right to talk about Fruit Trees." Our Grand Sire, Adam, also first saw the light near a garden — cultivated fruit there. That same garden was the source of a "noble river." The author of this work was not born in a- garden or on the banks of a noble river ; but on the breezy summit of a red-land mountain in Piedmont, Vir- ginia — not so high, perhaps as that mentioned in Holy Writ, where all the kingdoms of the earth were shown in one view, but high enough for salubrious atmosphere, and for the pure air to play among the green foliage and white blossoms of the waving orchards in Spring, and the bending trees laden with red, striped, and golden burdens of tender, lus- cious apples in Summer and Fall ; that might vie with the allegorical apples of Paradise — that flouted their tempting beauty and sweetness amid the groves in the garden of Eden. The Peach too, the melting, juicy, nectared Peach, in all its perfection, grow here in the bright sun and ambient air. No borer ever, in those days, presumed to work destruction to its roots, or winged insects sting the soft blushing cheek of its downy fruit, that hung in . delicious clusters, wooing the hand to reach forth and take. Reared amid these surroundings, the author, in the re- recollection regrets the lethargy, that at present pervades the South in regard to fruit culture, and the degeneracy of fruits ; and like the celebrated author just referred to, thinks he has a right to talk, and investigate the causes of both, to discuss freely all other points appertaining to successful, remunera- tive fruit-culture. He also hopes, from his practical know- IV PREFACE. ledge and experience in horticultural and pomological pur- suits, and from his valuable correspondence, and select and copious cullings from the best authors, both British and American, and a thorough examination of their views, to fill the vacuum that exists in Southern horticulture, by supplying the information so much needed in the successful culture of fruit-trees. The prevalence of this apathy and inattention in a large, en- lightened, rural community, whose soil and climate is unsur- passed as it regards adaptation to fruit trees, their longevity, luxuriant growth and perfection of fruit, is only to be ac- counted for by assuming that the agricultural interests of the people have monopolized not only their soil, but their ener- gies, leaving .only the "truck-patch" and a small part of the garden for fruit trees, and scarcely a thought about their cultivation. We hope in the following pages to show the impolicy of a course so exclusive ; and we might say so prejudicial to the community ; as good health, good living, and good morals, to say nothing of pecuniary results that will rival cotton or tobacco, are prominent benefits that will cer- tainly reward the care and attention bestowed on fruit-trees. Although this work is arranged and intended for Southern and Western latitudes and climates, yet its use is not incompat- ible with wide range and general patronage ; and with modifi- cations to suit particular localities may be used in almost all sections of our country. The Author. October, 1872. PREFATORY REMARKS BY TEE EDITOR. The Author and Editor have been at great pains to render this work, the first of the kind published in the South, com- plete and exhaustive in the specialties of which it treats — in a word, a practical standard treatise for the farmer's and fruit-grower's library. The numerous select lists of fruits for the various geological sections of each state are valuable, and may be implicitly re- lied on. As to this feature, it is unique and exceptional. Fruit nomenclature, hitherto in such confusion, has received the attention its importance merits, and incorrect names have been signified under the requisite changes. The Pilot and Albemarle Pippin, celebrated apples of this Piedmont country, have been for the first time introduced into a standard book. Shakspeare surely would have enjoyed them, as witness, Justice Shallow to Falstaff: "You shall see mine orchard, where in an arbour we will eat a last year's pippin of my own grafting," and again, Sir Hugh Evans, in the " Merry Wives of Windsor, " " I will make an end of my dinner — there's pippins and cheese to come." En passant, with deference, though the American Pomo- logical Society in its Catalogue places the Newtown pippin, as the general name, and the Albemarle pippin as the local name for the same apple, yet we apprehend it is still a question which name ought to have precedence — a point to be in- quired into. As to foreign varieties of apples and peaches, but few have been tested with satisfaction. Of the former, some of Rus- sian origin, such as the Tetofsky, have met with favor in the No rthwest. Southern pomologists should make trial of varieties of Southern Europe, and such parts of Asia, as in topical aspects are under like isothermal lines. VI PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR. The Male Carle, the famous commercial apple of Italy, is well adapted to the South. As the statistics of census of 1870 teach, horticultural progress is making rapid advances, and soon our Southland will be famed for its supremacy in fruit culture. Pomological Societies should be established in every county, and chairs of Horticulture and Pomology well endowed, be founded in every college. Iowa is in advance of Virginia in this regard. The manufacture of the work is creditable to Richmond enterprise. Mr. Kennedy Palmer, artist and attache' of the Richmond Enquirer Office, executed the engravings. As a work of this character should be both critical and comprehensive, it, of course, required great labor and peculiar qualifications in the author to produce it ; hence, whenever preceding writers have described any matter well and clearly, he has endorsed them in their exact language. The results of his own ex- perience are embodied in the work. Appropriately to the foregoing, I may invoke the saying of a wise man, alius alio plus invenire potest ; and to the same intent that of my Lord Coke, nihil simul invention et per- fectum est. In conclusion, let me direct the attention of farmers and fruit-growers to the study of botany, entomology and meteor- ology, as bearing specially upon pomology, which is now a science; and the principles of the facts upon which it is based should be thoroughly comprehended. J. W. Fitz. Keswick, Va. ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. 1. George IV . Frontispiece 2. Treatment of Growing Bud. , 38 3. Cleft and Root Grafting 43 4. Extreme Branch Grafting 45 5. Design for Orchard 67 6. Design for Orchard 68 7. Notched Board 71 8. Pruning Chisel 100 9. Yellow Bellefleur Apple 146 10. Wine Sap Apple 154 11. Round Headed Apple Tree Borer, Larva, Pupa, Beetle 190 12. Flat Headed Borer 196 13. Codling Moth, or Apple Worm, in all Stages 197 14. Harris' Bark Louse 205 15. Oyster Shell Bark Louse 206 PEACH CULTURE. 16. Yellow Alberge Peach.. : 224 17. Pruned and Unpruned Trees 245 18. Male Borer— Female Borer 256 19. Peach Worm , 2*56 20. Curculio 261 21. Curculio — Larva — Pupa — Beetle 264 INTRODUCTION. It will be readily perceived, on examining authors on fruit culture, that the South has been neglected, not only by North- ern agriculturists, horticulturists and pomologists, but also by Southern writers, some of whom were, and are, eminently qualified to handle this subject in a most comprehensive and masterly manner. Perhaps no portion of the world can boast a more conge- nial and favorable climate than that part of the American continent which our title page designates, for fruit of almost every kind, and especially for the most palatable, wholesome, medicinal and valuable of all fruits — the apple and peach. Situated between the extremes of Northern and Southern lines, deemed unfavorable to high flavor and delicious perfec- tion, the field for successful culture is so ample, congenial and universal, that it is passing strange that able pens have not diffused among Southern farmers the art and science of horti- culture and pomology in all their practical and interesting details, and the value, growing and care of young orchards understood and appreciated as it should be. It is admitted that, to some extent, we are aroused on the subject, and are convinced of the natural advantages of our soil and climate; and that many thrifty orchards are cultivated with abundant success in the various portions of the South, ern States, except in the maritime districts of the Carolinas and Georgia, which are sandy and level and the air replete with humidity, rendering that section not so well adapted to the apple and peach, but well suited for the culture of other delicious fruits. Although English and Northern writers are profuse in general and particular directions and instructions in the cul- ture and management of fruit trees, yet such works mostly apply to the particular humid climate of the one and arctic 2 Z INTRODUCTION. location of the other, in which their own experience, although limited as to latitude, is very properly brought to aid them in their valuable compilations and publications. This ignorance, however, of what is best for more favorable climates, renders these works less valuable here, although the general culture and management may approximate to that proper for more favorable latitudes. Still the question might be asked, Why will not Northern tillage and management and varieties of fruit answer about as well in the South? We reply, as farther objection, that climate makes the difference in all these things, or in the most of them. A list of fine apples and peaches originating and flourishing at the North, and- the leading domestic and mar- ket fruits there, when carried to Virginia and farther South, lose their distinctive features : for instance, a winter apple at the North is a fall or early autumn apple here, and autumn fruit there becomes summer fruit here, and so on throughout all the different varieties in the catalogue. Time of cultiva- tion, pruning, modifications in the culture and general treat- ment of the soil, have also some part in making up the differ- ence between Northern and Southern success in cultivation. Special and select catalogues, carefully prepared and ar- ranged to suit our latitude and that of more Southern States, as well as portions of the West, will be found in this volume : and the author has spared no pains or expense in consulting pomologists and others of the different States of the South, from Maryland to Georgia, and the West, not only in regard to a list for general cultivation, but for lists for special locali- ties, and for a succession of fruit during the different seasons, suitable for market and home consumption, for cider, and for all other purposes. The author is not aware of the existence of any regular and extended treatise on apple and peach culture suitable for the latitudes designated in this work, although numerous val- uable papers and articles have appeared from time to time in our excellent agricultural journals, from which, in compiling certain portions of this work, he has not failed to avail him- self of their invaluable aid ; and, in addition to his own views INTRODUCTION. 6 and experience, numerous standard works, both British and American, have been carefully consulted. Nor has the au- thor troubled the reader with a useless parade of quotations from different authors, but he has, when deemed proper, adopted their observations where his own were either defec- tive or totally wanting. Some of those to whom he is most obliged are A. F. M. Willock, English author, with American notes by James Mease, M. D. ; The British Fruit Gardener and Art of Pruning, by Thomas Abercrombie; Kitts' Trea- tise on Fruit Trees; Bradley on Gardening; Art of Garden- ing; Knight on the Culture of the Apple and Pear; Philo- sophical Transactions; Plan of an Orchard, by George Lind- ley; Bucknel's Orchardist, London; British Fruits; Guide to the Orchard and Kitchen Garden, by George Lindley, London ; The Orchard and Fruit Garden, by Charles Mcin- tosh, London. American authors: The New England Fruit Book, by R. Manning; The Pomological Manual, by Wm. R. Prince, New York; The American Orchardist, by James Thacher, M. D., Boston; A Treatise on Horticulture, by Wm. R. Prince, New York; Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, by A. J. Downing, New York and London; Insects Injurious to Vegetation, T. W. Harris, Cambridge, Mass.; The Prac- tical Entomologist; Fruits of America, C. M. Hovey; The American Fruit Book, S. W. Cole; Elliott's Western Fruit Growers' Guide; Barry's Fruit Garden; Bridgman's Fruit Cultivators' Manual; Thomas' Fruit Culturist; Rivers' Mini- ature Fruit Garden; Gardening for the South, William N. White ; Fuller's Forest Tree Culturist ; A View of the Culti- vation of Fruit Trees in the United States and of the Man- agement of Orchards and Cider, by William Coxe, &c. In addition to the above Avorks on horticulture and po- mology, we have had access to most of the magazines and periodical works treating on subjects connected with our work. Our correspondence with numerous fruit-growers and nurse- rymen have been valuable and satisfactory. For these es- teemed favors we return our sincere thanks. From the infor- mation they have furnished, coming from different parts of 4 INTRODUCTION. the country, we have been enabled to solve doubts and eluci- date many facts connected with fruit-growing. In addition to the scarcity of horticultural information suited to the South, a farther inducement for the writing and compilation of this work was suggested by the impulse lately given to agricultural and general improvement; and from the tide of emigration now flowing into Virginia and the South from the North and elsewhere, seem to render a treatise on "Fruit Culture" almost indispensable, as, it is presumed, such new settlers have many things to learn in regard to our cli- mate, &c, that will not admit the delay attendant on practi- cal experience; and more especially will information be de- sired as regards "apple and peach culture" — the art of pro- ducing the most valuable of fruits. The advantages to be derived from diffusing among the people a scientific, comprehensive and practical treatise on horticultural and pomological subjects suited more especially for our Southern and Southwestern latitudes, must be appa- rent to all who have bestowed the least thought upon the sub- ject. Not only is the culture of fruit a source of pleasure, but, if rightly understood and practiced, it is in many locali- ties a money-making occupation — an interesting, easy and safe way to accumulate wealth — conducive to the health and comfort of man — "a labor of love," with ever increasing pleasure as the work proceeds. Nothing immoral can grow out of employment so benefi- cial, but, on the contrary, an occupation so innocent and use- ful has a tendency to exalt our views of the goodness of Providence in bestowing the rich gifts of the vegetable king- dom with a profuse hand. The Almighty Power that sus- tains the universe, that points the course of the glorious orb of day and the,, silvery retinue of night, also unfolds the tender blossoms .ajtd flowers, and teaches our hands the art to aid in developing the green tree, the prolific buds and the golden fruit. Sound and matured fruit is at all seasons grateful to the palate, nutritious, medical and desirable. It is especially in demand during the inclement season of snows and bleak INTRODUCTION. 5 winds, for we have some weather of that sort in Virginia, and even farther South. How delightful to sit by the social board and enjoy the juicy, luscious apple, or the preserved products of the no less aromatic peach, the small fruits, done up in the shape of pies and tarts, jellies, &c. To the juveniles of the family circle, more especially, is the treat to be desired at this season, and the idea of such a repast makes bright eyes sparkle, and Little mouths can never pout When the apples are about. The old, the middle-aged and everybody likes a good mel- low apple, and its use at all seasons is extremely conducive to the pleasure and health of all. Mr. Thomas S. Pleasants, of Petersburg, Virginia, in a valuable article on "Diversity of Agricultural Productions," says: "The business of fruit culture admits of almost infinite expansion ; for though continually increasing, the demand is always ahead of the supply. It has been prosecuted in the vicinity of Norfolk with extraordinary success for a number of years, and to some extent along the margin of the large water-courses, where the facilities, both for production and transportation, are equal to any other locality. The conti- guity of extensive sheets of water is a certain protection against the damaging effects of late frost. Peaches and ap- ples are considered among the most profitable crops that can be grown, as they are always in demand at high prices on the spot, wherever a skipper can navigate his craft. The early apples from a thrifty and well-established orchard have been sold as high as a thousand dollars per acre. As there is no limit to the demand, the farmer can scarcely err in devoting a part of his premises to the culture of this fruit, always be- ing particular to select the very earliest varieties. In passing, it may be well to give a caution against any Northern variety for domestic use in winter. Owing to the length of our sea- sons, they arrive at maturity too soon in the fall to admit of being kept for that purpose." It appears from the experience of all farmers who have planted orchards, that trees furnished by nurseries of our own b INTRODUCTION. State. Virginia, grow better than those brought from Northern States, and that our nurserymen know better what trees to recommend for different locations within the State, and are more reliable than those obtained from traveling agents. The same may be said of more Southern localities. A good writer says, "It is much to be regretted that so many orchards throughout the South are so badly cared for. It is not enough, as some appear to think, to plant an orchard and fence it, and go annually for a crop of fruit. There are thousands of trees that have never been pruned nor manured." In favorable situations these trees will still live and pro- duce fruit, but in localities less favorable they die or gradu- ally produce smaller crops and poorer fruit. The good effects of a liberal dressing of manure, and in most cases ashes, is no where so apparent as when applied to a poor scrubby orchard. As a substantial element of food for many, as a valuable agent in preserving and promoting good health, and as a lux- ury which all classes may enjoy with a zest and a relish, "there is no substitute for the apple within the wide range of food for man." To the non-producer and to those to whom it is denied by climate, such gratification is unappreciated or un- known; and the same, to some extent, may be said of the peach. Both are devoured by most animals with avidity, and both are especially nutritious and fattening food for hogs. " Good fruit upon the farm or in the garden may be justly regarded as the best indication that the agriculturist has been mindful of his duty to his family and himself, while he has been considerate in looking to the sure and liberal pecuniary reward which will follow the labors of the careful, industrious and intelligent cultivator. The growing of fruits is not only an attractive pursuit in which men become intensely enthusi- astic, but it is profitable employment. Hence, under favora- ble circumstances, every desirable point for raising fruit should be speedily and thoroughly improved." "If the Board of Health of large cities," says a judicious writer, "could have power to regulate the prices of fruits at certain seasons of the year, without establishing a bad princi- ple or precedent, benefit would follow; and it would be a INTRODUCTION. 7 grand thing to place in their hands a fruit fund for the pur- chase of fruits to be plentifully distributed among the poor. Good fruit, especially peaches and apples, during the latter part of summer, keeps the blood cool and prevents feverish- ness. The juices of fruits dilute the blood and keep it in a proper condition of fluidity, quite as well if not better than water. They also keep the kidneys in a high degree of health — a recommendation that cannot be given to any sort of artificial drink, not even to water, except it be pure and soft. It is well enough to disinfect streets and places with carbolic acid, chloride of lime, &c, but it would be better to stave off epidemics by making people too healthy to be as- sailed by them, and this, plenty of good fruit will help greatly to do," If "Agriculture is the nursing mother of the arts, and till- age and pasturage the two breasts of the State," "fruit cul- ture" must come in as furnishing a good supply of the nour- ishment. An esteemed writer, Col. John J. Werth, who has exhibited no little horticultural literature and good judgment, says, in an address to the Virginia Horticultural and Pomo- logical Society: "But while it is indispensable, under present discourage- ments, to offer directly profitable results in money actually received, to stimulate the zealous pursuit of any enterprise whatever requiring money, yet we would not be at a loss to find important encouragement for the cultivation of all fruits, small and large, for home consumption, by almost all classes who till the soil, if their value could be rightly appreciated as an economical and healthful, and, may I not venture to add, an elevating element of subsistence. There is good rea- son to believe that if our Southern people could be induced to limit their consumption of animal food, and proportionately increase their consumption of fruit, there would be a gen- eral prevalence of better health and more elastic tempera- ment. It can scarcely have escaped the common observation of those who have mingled with other nations of the earth, at their own homes (or where they were congregated in suffi- cient proportions on other soils to encourage the indulgence' 8 INTRODUCTION. of their native tastes), that those communities of mankind who habitually subsist, to a large proportion of their diet, on animal food, are strikingly deficient in that activity and buoy- ancy and elasticity which mark the character of the vegetable and fruit-consuming classes. The difference is not all, nor nearly all, due to climate, as is generally supposed. The Spaniard and the Frenchman occupy nearly similar climates, and are very different in their temperaments. The former is the grosser feeder, and lacks the activity and elasticity of the latter. The Irish consume less meat than the British, and here again we find the vim and buoyancy of character largely predominant in the vegetable class. The Mexican and Cen- tral American have lived on beef until they are a mass of immobility, and have not the energy to pay the slight tribute of labor which their teeming soil demands for the abundant production of fruit and vegetables. And so on, through the various nations of the earth, I have no doubt that careful en- quiry would establish the rule that energy and activity and elasticity of temper, and, consequently, a higher grade of rational enjoyment, are marked characteristics of those who subsist mostly on the lighter diet of fruit and vegetables. "But beyond this, there is an urgent appeal, just now, arising from our peculiar condition and surroundings. We are not raising anything like meat enough, within the present arbitrary restriction of our State lines, to subsist our popula- tion ; and, until something happens to enable the white men of the South to check the universal spirit of plunder which pervades the negro population, it is in vain to hope that we shall increase our domestic production of animal food. Here, then, we find a market at every man's door for fruit and vegetables, to substitute the enormous consumption of meat, purchased from beyond our borders. And what is more cer- tain, more economical, more healthful elements of subsistence are not to be found than are furnished under the various modes of preparation, which secure to us throughout the year all the large and small fruits of our climate, and which it is within the reach of all who have a few acres of land to culti- vate and preserve. INTRODUCTION. 9 "An eminent horticulturist of Massachusetts has practi- cally found that pears, by carefully selecting a rotation of kinds as to their period of maturity, may be placed on the table every day in the year in their naturally ripened condi- tion. But this extreme success is not necessary. It is only important to preserve in some form, the fruits of the summer and fall, until they are succeeded by the productions of re- turning spring. October finds us gathering grapes and apples and pears and peaches from the branch, and May renews the rotation with the strawberry crop. "And as far as small fruits and the preservation of all kinds are concerned, we find an additional inducement to their culture in the adaptation of women and children to fill most of the employments involved in the pursuit. There seems to me, therefore, no sufficient reason why the small cottager should not, in Virginia and in most of the Southern States, as well as in France, surround himself with these healthy and delightful products of our soil; and high conside- rations of patriotism suggest that every inducement of pre- cept and example, encouraged by the gratuitous distribution of trees, vines, plants and cuttings in a small way, should be held out to this class of our people, to invite them to this branch of horticulture. "If there is anything in these considerations, they present encouragement to us to devote a share of our time and atten- tion and labor to the culture everywhere, and by all, of some varieties of fruit, without stopping to enquire whether they will pay as an article of trade, if we can economically con- sume them at home. We commend this view of horticulture to the earnest consideration of the people of the South and other portions of our country ; and trust that while we are active in seeking out and distributing information to encour- age the vigneron and fruit-grower for market, we shall not forget, by 'line upon line and precept upon precept,' to en- force upon our people of all conditions and everywhere, to plant and carefully cultivate the best fruits adapted to their climate, wants and appliances/' The great pleasure and profit arising from a choice collec- 10 INTRODUCTION. tion of fruit is already becoming appreciated in our country, and especially in lower Virginia ; and many orchards of fine fruit, judiciously selected, are now being cultivated in many portions of the State. Some are bearing fruit which Avould compare with that of any State in the Union, or perhaps in the world. Those who examined the splendid specimens of apples raised in the Valley of Virginia and exhibited at the late Augusta County Fair by Mr. Robert McCormick, Jones and others, will readily conclude that the Valley is the home of the apple, although in high flavor and aromatic juices, the Piedmont region may excel. Notwithstanding the severity of the drought of the year 1869, the exhibition of apples at the Virginia State Fair by those reliable and intelligent nursery- men, Messrs. Allan & Johnson and Franklin Davis & Co. and other gentlemen, was almost all that could be desired, as it regards size, flavor and variety; but the grand exhibition of the American Society at Richmond in 18/1 surpassed any other display in fruit culture. We wish to press this point, and recommend all who pro- pose to plant trees to invest some little care and labor, and a little money, all to the amount of one dollar or less, for each young tree for the first year, and say twenty-five cents for each year afterwards, which would answer and not be extrav- agant. Trees thus attended to would soon realize a profit on the investment. In a very few years each tree would yield a profit equal to the interest of $100 or $200, and this interest- bearing fund would be increasing for a length of years, grow- ing and maturing all the while, even while the farmers were asleep, abroad, or otherwise occupied. In an address delivered some years ago before the Ameri- can Pomological Society by Mr. H. F. French, of New Hampshire, we find the following suggestive remarks : "The fact that this (apples) is* the most profitable crop which can be cultivated among us, is well understood. It is a fair estimate in this part of the State (Exeter), that ten barrels of winter apples will generally sell for as much money as a ton of the best hay. Hay has been considered for many years the most profitable crop that can be raised for sale in INTRODUCTION. 11 this section of the State, and it has borne a price, for ten past years, not upon the average above ten dollars per ton." Mr. R. F. Williams gathered from an orchard of one acre only, the present year, from grafts set four years ago in very old and decayed trees, two hundred barrels of first-rate Baldwin apples. This statement is more valuable as showing how readily old trees may be changed from producing worth- less fruit to the production of that which is of the best quality, than as giving evidence of a remarkable product. To show how long a time is required to bring trees from the nursery into bearing, I will give another statement, which is about a fair example of the success of good cultivation among us : "John A. Lowe, Esq., of Exeter, set sixty trees about three years from the bud in his orchard in the spring of 1843, and forty more in the fall of the same year. They bore a few apples in 1847 and 1848. In 1850 he gathered six barrels; in 1851 twenty-one barrels; and in 1852 fifty bar- rels of fruit of the best quality." A writer in the New England Farmer states that he knows "an orchard of forty Baldwin apples that yielded more than three hundred barrels of fruit of the best quality the past season, and about the same quantity in the season of 1850." He says farther, "The ground about these trees has been kept in a perfectly pulverized state for half a dozen years or more, and manured like a garden." It should be borne in mind that the Baldwin usually produces every other year (unless highly manured). It would be a fair estimate that fifty trees, which would stand upon an acre at the distance of about thirty feet apart, would produce an average annual crop of sixty barrels of apples, worth at least sixty dollars. It is not uncommon to see a single tree bear ten barrels of fine apples, and instances have occurred where sixteen barrels have been gathered at once from a single tree. At the lowest rate of product that any man in his senses, who has ever properly cultivated an orchard in this country, would estimate as a common crop, an 12 INTRODUCTION. apple orchard will give four times as much profit as the same quality of land in grass or hay with less cost of cultivation. In regard to the use of apples for stock, Mr. French says: "No accurate experiments have been tried by which the value of apples for cattle and swine has been ascertained. This, like so many other important agricultural questions, has been left to be guessed out by Yankee shrewdness. " Most observing men believe now that apples of all kinds are very valuable for milch cows and swine. The general impression is that sweet apples are, for such purposes, more valuable than sour, although an analysis, I believe, shows little difference in their constituent elements. The opinion has been confidently expressed by intelligent farmers that sweet apples are of more value for stock than the same quan- tity of potatoes. The ' Grreen Sweet' is, of all others, the apple to be cultivated for stock. Such food is not required till winter, and this variety will last till the 20th of May, which is pasturing time in this State." • If apples are proper food for stock in winter, they are equally proper at all other seasons ; and where pasture and grass are scarce, they can be profitably used during summer and fall, especially for hogs, and they are of advantage to the orchard by consuming the defective and wormy apples as they fall, thereby aiding in the destruction of insects alike inju- rious to the fruit and to the trees. We predict that soon a large and more regular trade will be opened for Southern fruit, independent of that raised for home consumption, and that no product of our soil can yield so liberal a return for the same amount of labor and capital as our crop of apples. Even at the low price of one dollar and fifty cents per barrel, which is lower than any price yet reached with us, the culture of this fruit pays twice, at least, the profit of any of our crops, including wheat or tobacco. We quote further from Mr. French's valuable communica- tion: "For reasons which are not easily understood, the ap- ple seems extremely sensitive as to changes of climate. A variety which thrives well in New England often fails in New York, while the favorite apple of New York, the New Town INTRODUCTION". 13 Pippin, cannot be raised in our part of New Hampshire." (The same rule applies farther South.) "A different list is, therefore, necessary for each locality, to be determined upon by careful observation of the actual success or failure of each variety." [These list's we propose to prepare and include in this work, so that the farmer, with the advice of his nursery- man, may make such judicious selection of trees to suit his purposes and location, as may be desirable.) "In planting an orchard, regard should first be had to home consumption, so that the best variety of each season may be produced, and not a profusion followed by a famine." In the preparation of lists of apples which have been proved in the South to be abundant bearers and of first quality, and which will probably, with such additions as every man will make, with two or three varieties, seedlings, perhaps, from the old homestead, which taste better to himself than any body else, be found a sufficient variety for market and for all useful purposes at home. "Except to the mere amateur, a great variety is a source of great trouble and little profit," whether intended for market or home consumption or both. In a lecture by Dr. John A. Warder, of Cincinnati, deliv- ered January 13th, 1868, we find the following appropriate remarks on the subject of fruit culture: "Upon the present occasion, I propose to occupy your at- tention with a few general remarks upon the following ques- tions : "Why do not our farmers have a plenty of fruit? "Why should not all who live in the country grow fruit crops just as they now produce grain, grass and live stock? "The first question may be answered very readily, for most of those who have no fruits, it is simply because they do not try to have them ; and this is the very natural result of their ignorance of the means of obtaining an abundance of those blessings upon almost every farm in the Urdted States. "The latter question may be answered by enumerating some of the great advantages of fruit growing. These are primarily the health of the families of the producers ; where fruits are freely consumed upon the table at all seasons of the 14 INTRODUCTION. year; next, the pleasure attendant upon their propagation, their culture, and above all, the satisfaction derived from the harvesting and consumption of these products. "It is a well-established axiom in the medical profession, that the regular consumption of fresh, well ripened fruit, is conducive to health ; and it is also a fact that the farmers of our country are not so well fed as they should be. This is no body's fault but their own. True, they cannot have so great a variety of meats as those who reside in towns and villages, but they may enjoy the greatest profusion of fresh vegetables, and a succession of ripe fruits the year round, if they will but choose to take the trouble to plant and cultivate even a small portion as a garden and orchard. "Aji appeal on behalf of fruit culture may also be made to the more sordid motive of money making. No crops that are produced from the soil yield so great profits. The pro- ductiveness of small pieces of land appropriated to fruit cul- ture is truly wonderful, and the money results in some cases are so great as to be worthy of the fashionable term 'fabu- lous.' " One of the leading objects in presenting this work to the public, is to induce our farmers to direct more special atten- tion to fruit growing. It has been, we think, fully demon- strated in the preceding pages, that fruit culture is to be an occupation, and a blessing, under Providence, to our people, and will materially aid in our recuperation from the damages and devastation sustained by the late war. The advantages as to good health, good living, good morals and pecuniary results that will be regarded as highly satisfactory, will all come in as inducements to our farmers to set out and cultivate orchards. Care in the selection of varieties of well-established merit, suitable for the location, comprising a selection that will insure a succession for the year round, is of the first importance ; the earliest varieties being cultivated for market by those located in or near maratime districts and rail- roads leading to our large cities, especially to those north of us. There can be no failure if our farmers will avail themselves of the simple and cheap means within their reach, to surround INTRODUCTION. 15 themselves with the beautiful scenery and rich rewards of teeming orchards. One of the fathers in horticulture says : "If possible, have a good orchard. When I say, I heartily desire that every man should cultivate an orchard, or at least a tree of good fruit, it is not necessary that I should point out how much both himself and the public will be in every sense the gainers." In concluding these introductory remarks, the author begs leave again to be allowed to return his profound acknowledg- ments for the many favors of his correspondents in different parts of the South and of the United States, for their nume- rous suggestions and timely and valuable aid in compiling and writing this work. The author also desires to say, that his attention has not been directed to the various and bulky compilations and quan- tity of materials within his reach, in order to deal in contro- verted theories, but rather to a critical selection of facts; and that this work has not been undertaken with a view merely to increase numerous volumes already extant of a similar com- plexion, but to furnish the more Southern and Western por- tions of our country with special and particular information suited more particularly to their soil and climate, no where to be found in contemporary or other authors, and to embody and present all the most useful, practical and well attested improvements, the result of more recent culture, observation and discovery. Hoping from the advantageous circumstances in which the author is placed, and from his untiring efforts to produce a valuable treatise, the public will not be disappointed; that the spirit of improvement now abroad may extend to Fruit Culture; that the hills and vales, fence-corners and waste places, as well as select places, may be adorned in spring with blooming trees and orchards, and in summer and fall with bending boughs laden with choice, luxuriant fruit for home and for market purposes, alike beneficial to the producer, the merchant, the consumer and the country. J. F. ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. ITS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, NATURAL ;HISTORY, HABITS, &o. The Apple-tree, the common, or Pyrus 31alus, L., (^pple, Sax., Apfel, Ger.,) a tree arranged by Linnaeus under the genus Pyrus, it is too well known in this country to require a minute description. It frequently grows to the height of twenty or thirty feet, and produces a great variety of fruit. Botanists are of opinion, that the wildling crab-apple of the woods and hedges, is the original kind, from the seeds of which the apple now cultivated was first obtained. The Apple-tree by cultivation has become indefinitely various and progressive, producing in a wild state, the small and bit- ter crab, and under high and successive cultivation, such fruit as the splendid Albemarle Pippin. The varieties of this spe- cies in this country, are now multiplied to some thousands in the different States; all having been accidentally procured from the seed or kernels of the fruit, or increased by the various modes of grafting upon crabs or any kind of apple stocks. Notwithstanding the numerous sorts, it is believed that it would be best for all parties, that nurserymen should confine their stock to forty or fifty varieties; and having these well attested and adapted to the different regions, their different locations would enable them to furnish suitable catalogues for all parts of the country, and prevent the many vexatiou's fail- ures and losses sustained by farmers and others, caused by improper selections. The fruit of the Apple-tree arrives at full growth in suc- cessive order from June to the first of November, but comes to maturity only after gathering; and many of the winter kinds may be preserved until the next Spring. The fruit of the wild crab tree of our woods and forest is fiatish, about one inch in diameter, yellow when ripe, or of the color ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 17 of polished brass, and possesses an agreeable fragrancy. Per- haps no tree presents a gayer appearance in Spring, when dressed in green, and with clusters of flowers of a most pleas- ing blush. The petals may be compared to flakes of white wax, faintly tinged with the finest carmine ; though some trees have flowers of a damask rose color. It grows in woods and hedges, and flourishes better on declivities and in shady places than in open exposed situations or on boggy soils ; its blossoms appear in the month of May. This parent stock of all varieties of apples is well adapted as a stock for grafting, because its roots are neither killed by frost nor eaten by field mice ; grass and even corn will grow beneath it. The wood of the crab tree is tolerably hard, turns clean on the lathe ; and will receive a polish which renders it very desirable. The acid juice of the fruit is commonly term- ed verjuice, and is employed in recent sprains and in other cases as an astringent repellent. This fruit is eaten by horses cows, sheep, goats, and particularly by hogs, which are ex- tremely fond of it. As this species quickly attains its growth, it deserves to form a part of every plantation ; and we have only to regret that it is not more generally cultivated, as it will in a short time amply compensate the trouble and expense bestowed on- setting it. In dyeing, the bark of the crab-tree has been employed for forming ^ yellow and especially a citron color. Dambourney relates, that the dry shavings of this wood imparted a fine chestnut brown to wool prepared by a solution of bismuth. Turners and cabinet makers also use the wood. Trees that come from Southern countries contain more aqueous juice than those that grow in the North, and trees from the South, when transplanted to a more Northern cli- mate, are more liable to perish by frost. The remedy for this, is to deprive such trees of their leaves partially and gradually before they fall of themselves, so that by the be- ginning of Winter, the trees should be almost bare. This thickens the juices and renders them less liable to be injured by frost. 3 18 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. In cookery, apples are used in various ways and forms, constituting elegant table deserts. They may be sliced and fried in lard or after meat ; they make fine pies and tarts, and the famous dowdy or family pie ; may be made into excellent dumplings, sliced into puddings, boiled in rice, &c; are fine roasted or baked ; and the apple butter made from this fruit in the Valley of Virginia, East Tennessee, and in some of the Northern States is a delightful dish for any season. Dried apples keep well, and are a valuable article of trade. As to the medical qualities of apples, consumptive persons have been greatly relieved, and even permanently cured by the persistent and regular use of this fruit in some form or other. Apples serve as an excellent fruit for the desert, the kitchen and for making cider, brandy and vinegar ; and stock of almost every kind thrive and fatten, when allowed free use of this most valuable of all fruits. Concerning the physical properties of apples, it deserves to be stated, that besides their aromatic qualities, they are wholesome and laxative, when fully ripe. In diseases of the breast, such as catarrhs, coughs, asthmas, &c, they are of considerable service ; for beneficial purposes, how- ever, they ought not to be eaten raw, but either roasted, or .stewed, or boiled; they also may be usefully employed in de- coctions, which if drank plentifully tend to abate febrile heat, as well as to relieve pectoral complaints. The author has himself found the use of ripe Apples and Peaches, both cooked and raw, a most admirable, convenient and palatable regulator of the bowels, and by their use has been happily relieved of chronic diarrhoea. In treating of the general properties, as well as the relative salubrity of fruit, we shall in this place, only add, that the injudicious practice of promiscuously allowing it, whether ripe or unripe, to children and infants is very reprehensible, though their liberal use, when fully ripe, is rarely followed by any injury. On account of its acidity, they are not able to bear it in excess ; and their digestive powers become too frequently impaired at the expense of other secretions; such ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 19 as insensible perspiration, and the discharges by stool, both of which are thus unnaturally promoted. All fruit given to children should be given perfectly ripe. Mothers and nurses should likewise bestow especial attention' to the cleanliness of the peels, which as they generally pass through different hands, or may have been stored in improper places, require to be previously wiped or washed. With regard to their sensible properties, apples have been divided into spicy, acidulated and watery. To the first class belong the various species of rennet, which possesses a most delicate flavor, contain the least proportion of water, and on account of their vinous nature, are not apt to excite flatu- lency. Pippins, on the contrary, though affording more nu- triment than the former, are more fibrous, and consequently require a more vigorous stomach to digest them ; hence they may be ranked under the second class. Lastly, those sweet and tender apples which are very juicy and palatable are the least fit to be eaten in a raw state, unless with the addition of bread or biscuit. When baked or dried in the open air, they make an excellent substitute for raisins or plums, in puddings, pies and other dishes prepared of flour. ' Sour apples may be mueh improved both in taste and quality, by either baking, or digesting them in a close vessel by steam over a slow fire ; thus the saccharine principle is dis- engaged, and they undergo a speedy and complete change. While very young, no tree should be suffered to bear a full crop of fruit ; and if they abound with blossoms, the fruit should be gathered as soon as formed ; leaving only half a dozen of the produce, to ascertain the size and quality. By this measure, the trees will not only produce larger and finer fruit, but by being kept clear, the leading and collateral branches will every year become more vigorous. Nor ought any young plant or newly engrafted tree to be permitted to run mop-headed, as it will make no progress till each branch has acquired a determined leader, for, if the growth of a tree be prevented, it will be extremely difficult to throw such energy into the system, as to enable it to grow freely. All vegetables in respect to their propagation are viviparus or 20 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. oviparus. The live progeny of vegetables consist of their buds, which rise on their branches in the bosom of each leaf, or on its long caudex extending down the bark of the trees, or which rise on the bulbs, knobs, wires, or scions, from the broad cau- dex on the roots of herbaceous plants. The egg progeny of ■ vegetables consist in their seeds with the previous apparatus of the flower, and concomitant nutriment in the fruit and cotyledons." Fruit trees are sometimes attacked by a disease called " crab," especially after transplanting them from the nursery : it destroys particularly the inner bark, by reducing it to a blackish powder, not unlike the smut in wheat. Various conjectures have been formed as to the origin of this disorder which is often very destructive, especially to apple and pear trees ; but none appear to us to be satisfactory. It is, however, very probable that it arises from the inattention of the gardener or orchardist, when transplanting young trees, by placing the Northern side of the trunk towards the South ; where the powerful rays of the sun parch, and in a manner burn the tender bark which was grown on the north side. This change of situation to a different point of the compass may account for the disease, and the suspicion is somewhat Confirmed by the circumstance, that the disease generally makes its first appearance on the south sides. It may also originate from injuries done to the tree, such as blows, scratches, &c. The remedy for trees thus affected will appear in its proper place. Linnaeus considers the apple and the quince as a species of the pear tree, or Pyrvs, all the varieties of which are hardy and will succeed in any common garden soil, if planted in a free situation ; they are propagated by grafting and budding upon any pear stock, occasionally upon quince, and sometimes upon white thorn stocks. Apples of any kind may be reared in the manner above prescribed, and according to Dr. Anderson, the pure paradise sitock is the best graft. They will not thrive, however, in a very low and moist soil, but a rich friable loam is best adapt- ed to their health and rapid growth. ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 21 Mr. Forsyth in his treatise on fruit says : I have in nu- merous instances seen the stock have great influence on the fruit grafted thereon, in respect to bearing, size and flavor ; and also, on the durability of the tree, particularly in the instance of a number of Vandevere apple trees, the fruit of which was so subject to the bitter rot as to be of little use; They were engrafted fifty years ago, and ever since, those of them having tops composed of several different kinds, though they continue to be more productive of fruit than any other in my orchard, yet are subject to the bitter rot, the original and well known affection of the fruit of the original stock. Experience has fully proven that, although seedlings from apples will scarcely ever produce fruit exactly similar to the original, yet some of them will produce excellent fruit. Some will even be superior to the apples from which the seeds were taken. This fact shows that seeds planted from trees of a strong and rapid growth, and largest and best fruit, should be allowed to bear fruit before grafting, as they will seldom fail to bear good fruit, or at any rate, fruit of some good quality. In reference to the latent powers of man and the soil, says a modern writer, " A kind providence has given man moral, mental and physical powers according to the circumstances of his existence, and placed him upon the earth, containing productive resources sufficient to maintain that existence. Within both are dormant energies requiring development and invigoration, for which man alone is responsible." It has been well said that he who makes one blade of grass grow where none grew before is a public benefactor. If so, how much greater is he that makes one healthy vigorous apple or peach tree bud, bloom and bend with its luscious load of grateful, health-giving fruit, where none grew before. In doing this work he finds the occupation pleasant, the time well spent, home made more attractive and pleasant, and all, with very little expenditure of money. Trees are divided into two principal classes, namely, fruit and timber trees. The growth of trees is a subject of conside- rable importance ; and as to fruit trees, but few accurate ex- 22 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. periments have been made, in order to ascertain their annual increase in height and bulk, and this would seem to be a dif- ficult job, as so much depends on care and culture. In the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society for 1788, Mr. Barker states, as the result of his observations, that oak and ash trees grow nearly in equal proportions, increasing 1 , or 1-| inches every year. He remarks that when the annual growth amounts to 1 inch in height, a coat one-sixth of an inch in thickness will accrue to the tree. The health and vegetation of trees may be greatly pro- moted by scraping them ; by cutting away the cankered parts, and by washing their stems, at least once a year in the months of February or March, (and later in the Spring.) Hence Mr. For- syth, (English author) in his ingenious treatise on " the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees," recommends fresh cow-dung mixed with urine and soap suds; and the composition to be applied to the stems and branches of fruit, forest or timber trees in the same manner as the ceilings of rooms are white-washed. This operation, he observes, will not only destroy the eggs of in- sects, that are hatched during the Spring and Summer, but also prevents the growth of moss, and if it be repeated in Autumn, after the fall of the leaves, it will kill the eggs of those numerous insects, which are hatched during that season and Winter ; thus contributing to nourish the tree, and to pre- serve its bark in a fine and healthy state. In common with other objects of vegetable creation, trees are liable to a variety of diseases, which, if not timely attend- ed to, eventually destroy them. We shall in this place in- troduce a concise account of Mr. Forsyth's improved method of curing injuries or defects in either fruit or forest trees. Mr. F. directs all the decayed, hollow, loose, rotten, injured, diseased and dead parts to be cut away, 'till the knife extend to the sound or solid wood, so as to leave the surface per- fectly smooth ; then, to one hundred gallons of human urine, and one bushel of lime, add cow-dung sufficient to bring it to the consistence of paint. After having carefully brushed off all the moss, the infected trees should be anointed with this mixture, about the latter ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 23 end of March ; which simple precaution it is said, fully an- swers the desired effect. The quantity of the composition may be made up to correspond with the quantity required for the trees to be anointed and made to the consistence of thick paint, and it should be laid on with a painter's brush to the thickness of one-eighth of an inch and the edges finished off as thin as possible. Next, five parts of dry pulverized wood- ashes should be mixed with one part of bone dust or ashes, and then put into a tin box, the top of which is perforated with holes ; the powder must be sprinkled over the surface of the composition, being suffered to remain half an hour for absorbing the moisture, when an additional portion of the powder should be gently applied with the hand, till the whole plaster acquire a smooth surface. As the edges of such ex- cisions grow up, care should be taken, that the new wood should not come in contact with the decayed; for which pur- pose, it will be advisable to cut out the latter, in proportion as the former advances ; a hollow space being left between both, in order that the newly grown wood may have sufficient room to extend, and fill up the vacancy, so that it in a manner forms a new tree. By this process old and decayed trees have in the second Summer after its application, produced fruit of the best quality and finest flavor ; nay, in the course of four or five years, they yielded such abundant crops, as young trees could not have borne in 15 or 20 years. By such treatment, likewise, large aged elm-trees, all the parts of which were broken, having only a small portion of the bark left on the trunk, shot forth stems from their tops, to the height of above thirty feet, within six or seven years after the compo- sition had been applied. Thus it appears, that both forest and fruit trees may be renovated and preserved in a flourishing state ; while the lat- ter may be rendered more fruitful than at any former period. We regret that our limits confine us to the present short ac- count, and refer the reader to Mr. Forsyth's treatise above cited ; which is illustrated with thirteen beautiful engravings. Under the articles fruit, fruit trees, orchards, &c, some ob- servations on these subjects will be given in the course of this 24 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. work, from the treatise of the ingenious Mr. Bucknal, and, on the present occasion, we will introduce some highly impor- tant remarks by the same valuable and practical writer. ENGRAFTED FRUITS. ■ " Some friends have requested that I would introduce another paper on the nature of the valuable varieties of engrafted fruits, as they are of opinion that the essay in the 17th vol. of the Transactions of the Society is not sufficiently extended'for a subject so important to fruit growers, and those interested in the production of fruits. As a proof of my willingness to make the orchardist as perfect as I can, I beg you to present my compliments to the Society, with the following elucidations. " This is a subject in rural economy which ought to be much better understood than it is, in order to enable the planters to judge of the sorts proper to be planted, as an article of pleasure, profit, or recreation, as much of the credit of the plantation must arise from judiciously choosing trees of the best, new, or middle aged sorts, and not of the old worn- out varieties, which latter cannot, in the planting of orchards in common situations, ever form valuable trees, and must end in the disappointment of the planter. " Engrafted fruits I have before said, and I now repeat, are not permanent. Every one of the least reflection must see that there is an essential difference between the power and energy of a seedling plant, and the tree which is to be raised from cuttings or elongations. The seedling is endowed with the energies of nature, while the graft or scion is nothing more than a regular elongation, carried, perhaps, through the several repeatings of the same variety ; whereas the seed fpm having been placed in the earth, germinates and be- comes a new plant, wherever nature permits like to produce like in vegetation ; as in the oak, beach, and other mast-bear- ing trees. These latter trees, from each passing through the state of seedlings, are perfectly continued, and endued with the functions of forming perfect seeds for raising other plants by evolution, to the continuance of the like species. "This is not the case with engrafted fruits. They are ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 25 doomed by nature to continue for a time, and then gradually to decline, till at last the variety is totally lost and soon for- gotten, unless recorded by tradition or in old publications. "Reason, with which Providence has most bountifully blest some of our species, has enabled us, when we find a superior variety, to engraft it on a seedling or wilding stock, or to raise plants from layers or cuttings, or even to raise the roots, and thus to multiply our sources of comfort and pleasure. This, however, does not imply that the multiplication of the same variety, for it is no more, should last forever, unless the species will naturally arise from seed. "Nature, in her teaching, speaks in very intelligible lan- guage, which language is conveyed by experience and obser- vation. Thus we see that among promiscuous seeds of fruits of the same sort, one or more arise, whose fruits should be found to possess a value far superior to the rest in many dis- tinguishable properties. From experience, also, we have ob- tained the power, by engrafting, of increasing the number of this newly-acquired tree; can change its country, give it to a friend, send it beyond the seas, or fill a kingdom with the fruit, if the natives are disposed so to do. Thus we seem to have a kind of creative power in our own hands. "From the attention lately paid to the culture of engrafted fruits, I hope we are now enabled to continue a supposed hap- pily acquired tree, when we can find it, for a much longer duration than if such variety had been left in the state of unassisted nature; perhaps I may say for a duration as long again, or something more. After these sanguine expectations, I may reasonably be asked, to what does all this amount? for here there is no direct permanency, .... and why? The why is very obvious, .... because the kernels within the fruit, which are the seed of the plants for forming the next generation of trees, will not produce their like.* I will allow they will do so accidentally, but nothing more can be de- pended on. "For example, suppose we take ten kernels or pips of any apple raised on an engrafted stock : sow them, and they will produce ten different varieties, no two of which will be alike; 26 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. nor will either of them closely resemble the fruit from whence the seeds were collected.* The leaves also of those trees, raised from the same primo-genus or parent stock, will not actually be a copy of the leaves of any one of the varieties or family to which each is connected by a vegetable consanguinity. I intentionally used the word actually, because a resemblance may be found, though not much of that is to be expected. " I beg that what has been last mentioned may not be taken as a discouragement to attempts for raising new varieties. I was obliged to speak very strongly, in order to place the cul- ture upon its true foundation. I think it need not be ob- served, that there is no acquiring a new variety but through the means of a seedling plant ; and, therefore, whoever wishes to succeed must attempt that way, or wait till others in their plantations may more fortunately produce it. "In choosing seeds, that apple is most likely to produce the clearest and finest plants whose kernels are firm, large and well ripened. The size of the fruit is not to be regarded ; for large apples do not always ripen their fruit well, or rather for cider, the small fruits are generally preferred for making the strongest, highest-flavored liquor. And from what I have been able to collect in the cider-countries, it is there the opin- ion that an apple something above the improved crab promises the best success This advantage also attends the prac- tice : if there are no valuable apples raised from that attempt, these wildings will make excellent stocks to graft upon. " Gentlemen who actually employ themselves in attempting to acquire new varieties, should remember that they ought to select all the sets, from the bed of apple-quick, whose appearance is in the least degree promising, and plant them together; at such a distance as to allow each to produce its fruit, which will happen in a very few years. My friend, Mr. Knight, who undoubtedly is the first in actual exertions for procuring these happily acquired new varieties, has had two plants bear fruit at six years and one at five. (In Virginia, apple trees will bear considerable crops at that age.) The cider districts have offered several premiums for securing new varieties, and some with good effect. Premiums have been given both to Mr. Knight and Mr. Alban. ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 27 "When the new variety is to be raised from a valuable admired apple, I would recommend the placing these seeds in a garden pot, filled with mould from an old melon bed; car- rying the pot into a retired situation near the water, and giv- ing attention to rear the plants to as large a size as is conve- nient within eighteen months. With this view, the pot should be placed in the green-house the first winter, or in a sheltered position ; and, when the plants are afterwards to be set out in the spots, they should not be placed under the drip of trees, or much exposed to the winds. " Two instances have been mentioned, the improved crab, and most admired apple; but prudence says, try all sorts, and something probably will arise; and the process is attended with little trouble or expense to a person who constantly re- sides in the country; yet, after all this scientific care, the ap- ple may want flavor, and be in other respects nothing better than a common wilding. " It is an undoubted fact, and worthy of observation, that all the different trees of the same variety have a wonderful tendency to similarity of appearance among themselves ; and that the parent stock, and all engrafted from it, have a far greater resemblance to each other than can be found in any part of the animal creation ; and this habit does not vary to any extent of age. " As an encouragement in attempting to increase the num- ber of new and valuable fruits, we can prove that the Golden Pippin is native English. The Red Streak, a seedling of Here- fordshire, if not raised, yet was first brought into notice by Lord Scudamore, and was for a long time called Scudamore 8 crab. The Stire apple was accidentally raised in the forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, and took the name of Forest Stire. The cider made from this apple was the strongest the country ever produced, according to any living record. The Hagloe - crab, the best cider fruit now remaining, was discovered in the parish of Ecloe, on the banks of the Severn, and about sixty or seventy years ago ; many scions were taken from this tree by Mr. Belamy, and engrafted on seedling stocks about Ross. These are now grown old ; and to ascertain the age 28 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. of the variety, I went with Charles Edwin. Esq., to Eclose, in hopes of seeing the primo-genus of this family. The proprietor of the estate acquainted Mr. Edwin that it had ceased to hear, years ago, and was cut down. Those at Ross are but poor bearers now, and I shall suppose the variety must be one hundred and forty years old, though Marshal who wrote in the year 1786, mentions these trees were prolific, and he supposes the sort to be about 80 years old ; but from present expe- rience, it must be much more. The Tinton Squash Pear is of Gloucestershire ; the Barland and Old-field were near Led- bury, Herefordshire. The two last pears clearly bear the names of the two fields where they were raised. The Bar- land fell about six years ago, visibly from weight and lon- gevity, which was supposed to have been about 200 years. There have been many other names of estimation handed down to us, though the realities are now totally worn out, and have ceased to exist. Can any better proof be desired, that en- grafted fruits are not permanent, than the regret we feel for the loss of these old valuable fruits. " To making my paper short as convenient, I have dwelt only on the apple ; yet all the engrafted fruits are under the same predicament of the seed not producing its like, and the offspring in time falling into nothingness of growth, and bearing, though that space of time must certainly depend on the natural longevity and hardiness of the sort, soil, position, care, &c. All these are more fully expressed in the papers published in the different volumes of the transactions of this Society, and the two volumes of the Orchardist, wherein the whole system is extended, to form a rational culture for the management of standard fruits. " It should be remembered, that, as I am now alluding to the state of actual permanency, fifty years are to be counted as nothing ; and, as often as we come to that point, we are compelled to resort to our first assertion : " That engrafted fruits are not permanent, they being continued from elonga- tions, and not raised as a repetition of seeds. This is the only rational way, as yet introduced, of accounting for the loss of the valuable old varieties of fruits. Should a better ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 29 system be introduced, I shall readily adopt it : but this suffi- ciently answers the purposes of the planter. " Some years ago, from due investigation and thorough conviction, I propagated this principle, and it was published in the 17th vol. of the Society's Transactions, in the follow- ing words : " All the grafts taken from this first tree, or parent stock, or any of the descendants, will for some gene- rations thrive ; but when this first stock shall, by mere dintof old age, fall into actual decay, a nihility of vegetation . . . the de- cendants, however young, or in whatever situation they may be, will gradually decline, and from that time, it would be imprudent, in point of profit, to attempt propagating that variety from any of them. This is the dogma which must be received. I do not expect a direct assent, neither do I wish it ; for it should be taken with much reserve ; but it is undoubtedly true." These considerations should stimulate us in searching after new varieties, equal, or perhaps superior, to those of which we regret the loss. " Observe that from the time the kernel germinates for apple quick, should the plant be disposed to form a valuable variety, there will appear a regular progressive change, or improvement, in the organization of the leaves, until that variety has stood, and grown sufficient to blossom and come into full bearing ; that is, from the state of infancy to maturity; and it is this and other circumstances, by which the inquisitive eye is enabled to form the selection among those appearing likely to become valuable fruits. (We would also remark that all young trees, when disposed to be valuable, in addition to the luxu- riance exhibited in the leaves, buds and free growth, have soft, tender wood, offering little resistance to the pruning-knife, whilst the knife is apt to lose its keen edge when applied to seedlings of slow growth.) But from the time that the new variety or selected plant, compared with all the engraftments which may be taken from it or any of them, these shall show a most undeviating sameness among themselves. " It is readily allowed, that the different varieties of fruits are easily distinguished from each other by many particulars, not only respecting their general fertility, and the form, size, 30 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. shape and flavor of the fruit ; but also the manner of the growth of the tree, the thickness and proportion of the twigs, their shooting from their parent stem, the form, color and con- sistence of the leaf, and many other circumstances by which the variety can be identified ; and where it is possible to engraft each variety upon the same stock, they would still retain their discriminating qualities, with the most undevia- ting certainty. " The proper conclusion to be drawn from the statement in the last paragraph, is this, that were any to put the thought in practice, on a full grown, hardy or crab stock, it would produce an excellent proof that engrafted fruits are not perma- nent. For if twenty different varieties were placed together, so that each might receive its nurture from the same stem, they would gradually die off in actual succession, according to the age or state of health of the respective variety, at the time the scions were'placed in the stock ; and a discriminating eye, used to this business, would nearly be able to foretell the order in which each scion would actually decline. Should it also happen that two or three suckers from the wilding stock had been permitted to grow among the twenty grafts, such suckers or wilding shoots will continue and make a tree after all the rest are gone. A further consequence would result from the experiment : among such a number of varieties, each of the free growers would starve the delicate, and drive them out of existence, only so much the sooner. It must be observed, that this supposed stem is the foster-parent to the twenty scions, and real parent to the suckers ; and those the least conversant with engrafted fruits know the advantage ac- quired from this circumstance. And here it is worth while re- marking, that a Gascoyne or wild cherry, will grow twice the size that ever an engrafted cherry did. "By an experiment we have had in hand for five years, it will appear that the roots and stem of a large tree, after the first set of scions are exhausted or worn out, may carry another set for many years ; and we suspect a third set, provided the engrafting is properly done and the engrafter chooses a new variety. Now the Ribstone Pippin of Yorkshire, is the ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 31 favorite, as being a free grower and good bearer, with fine fruit. This, however, may be certainly depended on, that when a new apple is raised from seed, if a scion were placed in a retired situation, and constantly cut down, as a stool in a copse-wood, and the apple never suffered to fulfil the intention of nature in bearing fruit, the practitioners of the following ages may secure scions from that stool, to continue the variety much longer. Hence, though I have written as much as is in my power against permanency, yet I have taken some pains to assure the planters, that forecast, selection, pruning, cleanli- ness, and care, will make the orchards turn to more profit for the rising generations, than what they have done for the last hundred years. " To place the nature of varieties in its true light, for the information of the public, I must maintain, that the different varieties of the apple will, after a certain time, decline, and actually die away, and each variety, or all of the same stem or family, will lose their existence in vegetation ; and yet it is a well known fact, mentioned in the 17th vol. of the Trans- actions, that after the debility of age has actually taken pos- session of any variety, it will yet thrive by being placed against a southern wall and treated as a wall fruit. Who, however, can afford to raise cider at that expense as a matter of curiosity, to prove, that when the vital principle in vegetation is nearly exhausted, a superior care and warmth will still keep the variety in existence sometime longer ? " It should be understood that the external air of Britain is rather too cool for the delicate fruits, which is the reason why in the Orchardist, I lay such a stressjn procuring warmth of the trees, by draining, shelter and manure. It would now be lost time to attempt to recover the old varieties as an article of profit. "If I have not expressed myself in this essay on the nature of varieties, with as much clearness and conviction as might have been expected, it should be considered, that it is an abstruse subject, very little understood, and requiring at first some degree of faith, observation, and perseverance. The prejudi- ces of mankind revolt against it. They are not disposed to 32 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. allow the distinction of nature ; and they imagine, that, in the act of engrafting or multiplying, they give new life ; whereas they are only continuing the existence of the same tree, stick or bud. Observe what . I said before ; the seed of the apple, when placed in the earth, germinates, and unfolds itself into a new plant, which successively passes through the stages of infancy, maturity and decay, like its predecessors. I might say all created nature is similar in this respect ; though from the circumstance that varieties are much longer lived than man, the plants have appeared to be possessed of eternal powers of duration ; nothing sublunary, however, which pos- sesses either animal or vegetable life, is exempt from age and death. " Within the last twenty years I have travelled many hun- dred miles, and conversed with the most intelligent men in each country ; and I now want to convince mankind for no other reason than because it is their interest so to believe, that there is in creation an order of beings (engrafted fruits) so formed, that we have the power of multiplying a single vari- ety, to what number of trees we please ; that the first sets arise from a small seed ; that the next and descendant sets are propagated by engraftings or from cuttings, layers, &c. ; and, although these trees may amount to millions, yet, on the death of the primo-genus or parent stock, merely from old age, or nihility of growth, each individual shall decline, in whatever country they may be, or however endued with youth and health. I say they shall gradually begin to decline ; and in the course of time, or of centuries, to those who would prefer that expression, the whole variety will scarcely have a single tree remaining to show what the fruit was. Let those who are not disposed to assent to the statement, ask them- selves what has become of the old lost varieties ? did they die, or did malicious men cut them up ? " I, who am firmly convinced of the truth of what I have advanced on this subject, have no doubt but that the same would happen by engrafting on the oak or beach, if the mast raised from the engrafted tree did not produce the like ; for there the question turns. ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 33 "Is it not known that the woodman, in setting out his sap- ling oaks, always selects new seedling plants, and never con- tinues one upon an old stool ; and, if he should so blunder, that tree, from the stool will never have freedom of growth, nor the size or firmness of timber equal to the new raised plant. " I wish I could persuade my friends, that with the same attention with which the woodman acts, the planter is to raise his orchard from the young fruits which thrive in the neigh- borhood, or are in health and full bearing in the country from whence they are to be brought. " The fruit grower should look to selection, cleanliness and care. To me it is a circumstance perfectly indifferent, whether he is to. use Mr. Forsyth's composition or Mr. Billingham's boiled linseed oil, or my medication. I only maintain that the wounded parts of trees want something to destroy the insects and vermin, and heal the wood, from which the trees are kept in health. " Let those who are blessed with fruit plantations, attend to their preservation, and not leave them to the state of unas- sisted nature." PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. Propagation, in general, signifies the act of multiplying the kind or species ; but, in this place, we propose to treat only of vegetable nature. Beside the usual modes adopted by the gardeners and agri- culturists of propagating trees, shrubs, &c, there are two other methods of multiplying plants, in a manner equally novel and surprising. 1st. Planting the Leaves was accidentally discovered by J. F. Henry, a German, who died at Angsburg, in 1726. He reared many large trees, by setting healthy leaves in flower- pots containing sifted garden mould, so that one third of the leaf was covered with earth. Over these pots he suspended vessels filled with water, which gradually dropped upon the small plants beneath ; thus, the young stems began to strike root and grow like those reared from kernels. 2nd. By Covering Horizontal Sprigs, or Branches with Moss. — This ingenious method of multiplying plants was an- nounced by J. C. Wendland, an eminent gardener in Germany, who described it for the benefit of the public nearly in the following words : " Such shrubs as cannot conveniently be propagated by seeds, sets or by layers, may be easily multiplied, especially if they have young branches near their roots. For this purpose, the earth around the stem ought to be previously loosened, elevated, and made nearly level with the lowermost sprouts : these should next be laid on the ground horizontally, (without cutting or breaking them,) then" fasten with small wooden hooks ; covered with moss; and frequently watered, so that the latter may closely attach itself around the branches. The operation may be performed either in the Spring or Autumn ; if in the former season, the moss should never be suffered to become dry ; if in the latter, it must be covered with straw to protect the layers from the effects of frost." PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 35 When the moisture has softened the jjflfd of the sprouts, young roots will strike through the nBJ^jnto the soil, and numerous plants may thus be obtain<|K|n the course of one Summer sufficiently vigorous to be removed to the nursery. No biennial parent-branches, however, need be employed ; as these will produce new saplings only in the second year. PROPAGATION BY SEEDS. Propagation by seeds is the natural and easiest way to rear trees and most other vegetable productions ; but few spe- cies of fruit trees, however, will produce the same variety and quality from the seeds or kernels, and the greater part will prove very inferior and crabbed fruit : some, notwithstanding will be very good, and a few may equal the parent in every res- pect, and bear a general resemblance in growth, foliage, &c. There are a few varieties of peaches, however, that may be reared from the kernels, with most undeviating sameness, especially the different varieties of the Heath. Propagation by layers or cuttings is not, and cannot well be practiced in rearing the Apple or Peach and the various modes of budding and grafting are resorted to for that purpose. PROPAGATION BY BUDDING OR INOCULATION. Bud, in botany, is the embryo or rudiment of a plant, growing on stems and branches of trees, and covered with scales, or with a resinous varnish, to protect it from the winter cold, and from the depredations of insects. Buds proceed from the extremities of the young shoots, and along the branches, sometimes single, sometimes two by two, either opposite or alternate, and sometimes collected in greater num- bers. In general we may distinguish three kinds of buds ; the leaf-bud, the flower-bud, and that containing both in one covering. The first species contains the rudiments of several leaves, which are variously folded over each other, and sur- rounded by scales. The second species or flower bud, con- tains the rudiments of one or several flowers, folded and cov- ered in a similar manner. This is called the eye of the bud. 36 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. The third sort, which is the most common of any, produces both flowers and leaves. Buds, together with bulbs, which are a species of buds generally seated on or near the root, are termed Mbernacula, a term signifying the winter quarters of the embryon shoot. As plants are supposed to bear a striking analogy to ani- mals, they may not improperly be reckoned both viviparous and oviparous; in which view seeds may be considered as vegetable eggs, buds as living foetuses for infant plants, which renew the species as certainly as the seed. As each bud contains in itself the rudiments of a plant, and would, if separated from its parent vegetable, become in all respects similar to it, Linnceus, to shew the wonderful fertility of nature, has made a calculation, from which it ap- pears that in a trunk scarce exceeding a span in breadth, no less than ten thousand buds may be produced. How great, then, must be the number of plants which are capable of being raised from one large tree ? The flower-buds of many trees, says Dr. Darwin, arise immediately from the terminating shoots or spurs of the pre- ceding year, and are either accompanied with leaf-buds, or separately, as in apple and pear trees. Others proceed from the shoots of the present year, alternately with leaf-buds, as those of vines, and form the third or fourth of the new shoots. They differ from the leaf-buds, because they perish when their seeds are ripe without producing any addition to the rtree; the leaf-buds, on the contrary, decay in autumn, and itheir condexes are then gradually converted into alburnum or /Sap-wood, over which the new leaf-buds shoot forth their con- ♦dexes and radicles, or insert them into it, and gradually fab- ricate the new bark and root fibres. Leaves, in botany, are defined to be the organs of motion, or muscles of a plant : they constitute the lungs of each in- dividual plant. .Budding- is a mode of propagation not only applicable to .fruit trees, but to ornamental trees and shrubs, including the arose, and there are some fruits that can scarcely be multiplied tender ; August. Keswick Codlin. Large, oblong, pale yellow, acid, excel- lent for cooking ; July to October. Red Juneating, Red June, or Carolina Red. Small or medium, deep red, good, hardy ; June and July. Striped Juneating, sometimes called Red Margaret. Believed to be distinct, best quality. White Juneating. Small, yellow, faint blush, flesh white, crisp, great bearer, earliest, June. Early Ripe. Large, oblong, yellow, tender, juicy, sub- acid, productive ; early July. Woolman's Harvest. A handsome striped apple, fine fla- vor ; ripens early in July. Golden Sweet. Large, medicinal, round, pale yellow, flesh tender, sweet and rich ; August. Spice Sweet. Large, flat, smooth, pale yellow ground, bright red; early in August. Summer Bellefleur. Large, handsome, a good grower and bearer ; August. 152 ORCHARDS. Julian Summerour. A fine apple cultivated in Habersham Co., Georgia. Early Joe. Fruit medium, color pale yellowish green, mixed with stripes and splashes of dark red, flesh yel- lowish white, tender crisp. Most delicious of all Summer apples. Summer Sweet Paradise. Large, roundish, pale green, sometimes tinged with yellow in the sun ; flesh crisp, tender, very juicy, with a sweet, rich aromatic flavor ; tree a mode- rate grower and great bearer ; very good ; August. Cole's Queen Apple. Large to very large, flatish conical, bright yellow, flesh when first ripe, firm, juicy, pleasant acid; when mellow, remarkably tender, of a mild rich quince flavor, and aroma ; July to September. FALL APPLES. Alexander. This is a magnificent Russian apple — fruit large, superb ; beautiful large blossoms ; January. Rambo. Medium, round, greenish yellow, tender, juicy and pleasant; October to January. Dominie. Medium, flat, greenish yellow, sub-acid, juicy and rich ; late Fall and early Winter. Bellefleur, Yellow. Large, oblong, yellow, with a blush — rich; late Autumn. Beauty of Kent. Very large, striped with red, juicy, crisp, tender ; October. Butter. Rather large, striped with red, sweet, best cooking ; September. Gravenstein. Large, roundish, striped with red, tender, juicy, rich, best ; September. Fall Pippin. Very large, smooth skin, yellowish green, very best ; September to December. Baldwin. Large, mostly colored with red, crisp and rich, first class ; November and December. Maiden's Blush. Medium to large, pale yellow, with car- mine blush, tender, sprightly; August to October. Red Streak. Medium to large, round, yellow striped, tinged with red, juicy, pleasant ; October to December. ORCHARDS. 153 Smokehouse. Large, oblate, striped with red, firm, juicy, crisp and rich ; September to December. Red Siberian Crab. Already described ; last September and October. Yellow Siberian Crab. Already described ; October. Sweet Red Streak. Medium, striped with red, sweet fla- vor, very productive; September to December. Porter. Rather large, bright yellow, tender crisp, sub- acid ; September and October. . Rhode Island Greening. Large, green, popular apple ; November. Vandevere. Above medium, striped yellow and red — rich, good bearer; last of October to December. Robinson's White. Medium, crisp, juicy, highly esteemed ; October and November. Summer Rambo. Large, striped with red, mild, sub-acid ; September and October. Buckingham. Large, skin clear, pale yellow, juicy, sweet, tender, rich; November. Jersey Sweeting. Best quality — succeeds well in all situa- tions ; September to October. French Crab. Very productive, vigorous grower, fine cider apple. Hewe's Virginia Crab. The old and popular cider apple of the South. Smith's Cider. Medium to large — the rival of the Virginia crab — supersedes it in Maryland. Quince Apvle. (Coxe) Large, flatish, yellow; flesh yellow- ish; juicy, crisp — very pleasant; November. Groose Pen. Somewhat resembles the Wine Sap, and by no means its inferior ; November to March. Fall Wine. Highly recommended by Ohio Fruit Conven- tion. (No description.) Abram or " Father Abram." Medium, striped with red — keeps well ; April. Twenty Ounce Apple. (H. Mag.) Downing. A very large, showy apple. It is a good sprightly fruit, though not very high flavored; but its remarkably handsome appearance, and Wine Sap Apple. ORCHARDS. 155 extra large size, render it one of the most popular fruits in market. The tree is thrifty, and makes a compact head; bears regular crops, and the fruit is always fair and hand- some. Fruit very large, roundish, skin slightly uneven, yel- lowish green, delicately striped, and splashed with red, which on the sunny side quite covers the surface. Flesh not very fine grained, juicy, sprightly, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor. WINTER APPLES. Wine Sap. Fruit medium size, roundish, deep red, skin smooth, with few streaks, a little yellow on shady side, flesh yellow, crisp, firm, high flavor, rich. We adopt the language of an eminent Virginia nurseryman,* and say: "We can scarcely find words sufficiently strong to express the high opinion we have of this fruit, possessing, as it does, a combi- nation of so many excellent qualities. For cider, it has but few equals ; for the table, it stands among the best ; for keeping, it is justly esteemed; and for bearing it scarcely has a rival."f Albemarle Pippin. "Large, roundish, irregular, smooth, yellowish green; flesh yellow, firm, juicy, aromatic and rich. The great Winter apple of the Piedmont section, but inclined to speck in Tide-water Virginia — does well in some portions of the Valley of Virginia; January to April." Described as above by the President of the Virginia Nursery and Wine Company, Richmond. Mr. Davis says: "We consider the Albemarle Pippin, Newtown Pippin, and Brooks' Pippin as identical. No apple stands higher in the market than this, or brings as high a price. It succeeds finely in the red soil of the mountains and rich valleys of the Piedmont region, and in most parts of the Valley of Virginia. It requires a deep, rich, warm soil to bring it to its highest perfection. (Suc- ceeds admirably in Jefferson and Berkley counties, Va.) Most * Franklin Davis, Esq., of the Richmond, Va., Nursery. fMr. C. T. Botts, of the Southern Planter, said, in 1845, "Take it altogether, we believe it is the finest apple that grows in America — and if we were setting out an orchard of a thousand trees, eight hundred of them should be Wine Saps." 156 ORCHARDS. fruit growers contend that this splendid apple is bona fide an Albemarle County, Virginia, apple. Pryors Red. Above medium, reddish russet, rich, and high flavored — a popular old variety in Eastern Virginia, and farther South — a native of Virginia; November to March. Pom/me D'Api, or Lady Apple. A beautiful dessert fruit; November to May. Rawles' Genet. Already described. Succeeds in most of the West and South. Nickajack. Large, globular, dull red, sub-acid — tree very robust. A Southern apple, valuable as a long keeping vari- ety; January to April. Limbertwig. A well known old Southern apple — above medium size, color dull, purplish red, flavur sub-acid, rich, aromatic — tree thrifty and very productive — keeps well; Feb- ruary to April. Swaar. Large, pale lemon yellow, with dark red dots — rich and spicy — slender grower, moderate bearer, but excel- lent quality — worthy of general culture ; middle of November to April. Spitzenburg Esopus. Above medium, deep red, with gray spots, rich and excellent — does rather better in the Valley of Virginia and Southwestern States ; November to February. Oarthonse, or Romanite.. Medium, round, striped, sub- acid and agreeable — an early and heavy bearer — a very valu- able variety for Eastern Virginia and North Carolina. Baldwin. Large, roundish, skin yellow in the shade, with a blush in red soils. Nearly covered and striped with crim- son — crisp, juicy, rich — succeeds well in the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina ; October to January. White Winter Pearmain. Medium to large, light yellow, tender, rich, mild, sub-acid — tree strong grower and produc- tive; December to March. Also highly esteemed at the West and Southwest. Winter Siveet Paradise. Large, globular, yellowish white, tender, juicy, very sweet; December to March. A great bearer and fair fruit. ORCHARDS. 157 *Lady Apple. Small, glossy, and beautiful. Described farther on. Yelloio Bellefleur. Large, oblong, with a blush on one side — -juicy rich flavor. Tree a rapid grower and very pro- ductive. In the Tidewater districts, to which it is well adapted, it is a late Fall apple. In the Valley of Virginia it keeps until February or March. It always commands a high price in market. Coxe first described this fruit. The original tree grew in Burlington, New Jersey. We follow Thompson, says Downing, in calling it Bellefleur, from the beauty of its blossoms, with the class of French apples to which it belongs. It is well adapted to slaty, sandy, and thrives well in lime- stone soils. Ben. Davis. (Kentucky Red Streak.) Large, handsome, striped apple of excellent quality. Tree very hardy, vigorous and productive — a late keeper — highly esteemed in the West and Southwest. Grrimes' Gf-olden (Grimes' Golden Pippin). An apple of the highest quality, equal to the- Albemarle or Newtown Pippin — medium to large size, yellow — tree hardy, vigorous, productive; originally from Virginia; grown in Southern Ohio and throughout the South and West; January to April. Buff Apple. A celebrated North Carolina apple — very fine, large size — much cultivated in Buncombe county. Cullasaga. A fine apple, cultivated in Habersham county, Georgia. • Mason Pippin. Origin, Brunswick county, Va. A beau- tiful yellow Pippin, bearing a close resemblance to the Albe- marle Pippin, of which it is probably a seedling, and esteemed as equal to it. Medium to large, bright clear yellow; shaded On one side with light russet dots; flesh white, crisp and juicy — rich sweet flavor ; December to April. King of Tompkins County. Large, yellowish, shaded *This splendid little market apple is popular in Norfolk, London, and Paris. It often commands from $10 to $30, when carefully selected and packed, and shipped in fine order. It is well adapted to the upland parts of Maryland, and red land counties of Virginia and North Carolina. All farmers who cultivate for market should give special atten- tion to this beautiful and profitable variety. 158 ORCHARDS. with red, splashed with crimson ; tender, with a rich vinous flavor. Ahram. Medium, striped with red — flesh rather firm, with an agreeable aromatic flavor — a good bearer, and keeps well ; April. Beverly % Red. Large red, showy, keeps well, ; quality- very good. Cullasaga. Large, red, high-flavored, vigorous grower and good keepers ; January to April. Jonathan. Medium, roundish, ovate, tender and juicy — skin yellow, covered with bright red stripes — slender growth, but productive; November to March. Gully. A South Carolina apple — medium size, green, striped with red skin — high flavor and a good keeper; No- vember to March. Fallaivater, or Tulpehocken. Large, greenish yellow, with dull red cheek, slightly conical, juicy, sub-acid — vigorous grower, and very productive ; worthy of general culture; No- vember to January. ComaJc's Sweet. Medium, green, rich, aromatic, crooked, straggling grower ; November to May. Milam. Rather below medium size, smooth, yellow, covered with ?narbled red and indistinct stripes — flesh white, tender, crisp, juicy; flavor sub-acid, tree a regular annual bearer, very productive; November to February. Very popular in the Piedmont district, where it succeeds admir- ably. Dominie. Large size, flat, striped with red — flesh white, juicy, firm, mild, sub-acid, sprightly, pleasant flavor; keeps through Winter into Spring; a rapid grower and prodigious bearer. In the Valley of Virginia, and West Virginia, it is a first class Winter apple — deserves extensive cultivation. Rambo. Medium, round, greenish yellow, striped with red, tender, juicy and pleasant — tree vigorous, erect, and very productive ; is one of the best early winter apples for the Piedmont and Valley regions, and stands at the head of the list of Autumn apples in the maritime sections of the South. ORCHARDS. 159 Red Streak. " An English apple,— Medicinal ; rich, firm, dry, a handsome grower and great bearer." (Coxe). "A capi- tal English cider apple — it makes a rich, high-flavored, strong liquor, and thrives admirably in this country. Handsome grower and great bearer." (Downing.) " Medium to large, round, yellow striped, and clouded with bright red ; flesh yellow, juicy and very pleasant; November and December." (Allan). Romanite or Carthouse. Medium size, roundish, oblong, striped, and shaded with deep reel on greenish yellow ground ; flesh yellow, firm, juicy, rich, becoming tender and sprightly in the Spring ; valuable and well adapted to the South — an early and profuse bearer ; January to May. Roxbury Russet. A popular market fruit — excellent — a prodigious bearer, and keeps until late in the Spring. Fruit medium size, sometimes large, roundish, surface rough, green- ish, covered with russet — valuable for its long keeping quali- ties — does not shrivel as some other native Russets, or "Leather Coats" do. Pilot. A new variety of great promise,* recently dissem- inated from Nelson county, Va., where it originated, and stands u pa?° excellence among apples." Size large, round, sometimes approaching conical ; color, striped with red on yellow ground, overspread with dots and specks of russet ; flesh yellowish, fine-grained, crisp and juicy, with a mild, sub-acid flavor ; a good bearer, and keeps well and late ; De- cember to March. Pryors Red. A very large and valuable market apple — well adapted to general cultivation — native of Virginia. (Already described). Nickajack. An apple of high Southern reputation — fruit roundish, large, skin striped and splashed with crimson — flesh yellow, tender, crisp, juicy, with a fine rich sub-acid flavor ; November to May. * The Pomological Society and Agricultural Societies of this State have awarded pre- miums for this fine new apple. Its popularity in the Piedmont region of Virginia is unbounded. The original tree is still standing in Nelson county. Mr. Allan, Presi- dent of the Virginia Horticultural and Pomological Society, says of this apph; : A variety of good promise, recently received from Nelson county, Va., where it originated, and stands par excellence amoiig apples." We give his description of this fine fruit. 160 ORCHARDS. Limbertwig. An old, well known Southern apple ; Janu- ary to June ; hardy — will grow in various soils — valuable. LIST FOR THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA. West Virginia, and Southwestern States, including portions of the Western States. SUMMER VARIETIES. Early Harvest. Rather large, round, yellow, flesh nearly white, tender, juicy, crisp, with a rich, sprightly, sub-acid flavor ; tree very productive — taking all its qualities into con- sideration, it has no superior amongst early apples ; July. Early Margaret. Medium to small — oblong, bright red, crisp, juicy, sub-acid ; tree erect pyramidical form ; good bearer — an excellent apple, ripening latter part July, directly after the Early Harvest. Golden Dixie.* Large, very bright yellow, sub-acid, crisp, tender, excellent ; August. Astrachan Red. Large, roundish, nearly covered with deep crimson, and thick bloom, juicy, rich, sub-acid — tree a vigorous grower and good bearer ; last of July to last of August. This is a fruit of extra beauty ; was imported into England from Sweden in 1816. Early Strawberry Apple. A beautiful variety, which is said to have originated in. the neighborhood of New York city — already described ; middle of August. American Summer Pearmain. (Thomp.) A rich, highly flavored fruit — medium size, oblong, nearly covered with streaks and dots of red ; flesh tender, juicy and rich; sub-acid flavor, fine, bears early and abundantly ; continues in use several weeks ; August and September. This is a valuable apple for all purposes ; it thrives admirably on moist soils, especially those that are rich and sandy. K,eswic~k Oodlin. Large, oblong, pale yellow, acid — tree erect and vigorous, bears quite young and abundantly — excel- lent for cooking ; middle July to November. Summer R.ose. Rather small, oblate, yellow with red * Hermitage Nurseries, Richmond, Va. ORCHARDS. 161 cheek, flesh, very tender, crisp, mild, sub-acid, juicy, excel- lent — continues in use for a month or more — fine for gardens ; later than the Early Harvest ; July and August. Slimmer Pippin. Medium to large, roundish, yellow green, pink, streaked — irregular, but vigorous grower — productive ; August. Julian. — Medium size, yellow, much covered with crimson, and striped with the same — juicy and high flavored — a South- ern variety, promising well ; August and September. Summer Queen. Large, conical, striped with red — flesh yellowish, acid, with a very rich, high flavor — fine for culinary purposes ; last of July and throughout August. Primate. Medium size, greenish-white, with a crimson blush on the exposed side ; flesh white, very tender, sprightly, refreshing, mild sub-acid ; August and part September. Bough, or Sweet Bough. Large, pale yellow, sweet, rich flavor — tree, a moderate, compact grower, and abundant bearer — very desirable ; . July and August. Williams' Favorite. This is a splendid apple, cultivated in Southern Ohio. Large, oblong-ovate ; bright red in the sun ; little pale, yellow in the shade — flesh yellowish, white, fine, mild, pleasant, and excellent during all August and part September. Cf-olden Sweet, or Sweeting. Large, medicinal ; round, pale yellow, stem an inch, rather slender, in a narrow, deep cavity — flesh tender, of very sweet, rich, and excellent flavor ; September ; a good grower and great bearer. Large Yellow Bough. A large native apple, ripening in harvest time ; one of the first quality — only second as a dessert fruit to the Early Harvest — much admired for the table — is worthy of a place in every collection. Spice Sweet. Large, flat, smooth, pale yellow, very ten- der, sweet, excellent ; September. White Juneating. Downing says, " this is a very tolera- ble little apple, ripening about the very earliest ; last of June and first July; deserves a place in every collection." Fruit small, skin smooth, first light yellow, with faint blush on sunny side — crisp and pleasant. 12 162 ORCHARDS. Summer Sweet Paradise. Large, roundish, pale green, sometimes tinged with yellow in the sun; flesh tender, crisp, very juicy, with a sweet aromatic flavor; very good; August and September. AUTUMN VARIETIES. Fall Pippin. Very large, smooth skin, yellowish green, sub-acid, flesh whitish, very tender, breaking juicy, rich, fine for the table, superior for cooking, moderate in growth. In the southern part of New York, it is the leading Fall apple. This is supposed to be an American variety, Thompson and Lindley to the contrary notwithstanding. The Fall Pippin is a noble fruit, and is considered the first of Autumn apples in Maryland and Virginia ; October to January. Beauty of the West. (Ken.), fruit large, a sweet apple of fair flavor, round and regular. Skin smooth, light greenish yellow, with small red stripes. Flesh tender, juicy, sweet, and pleasant. A Fall apple, but will keep until December. Dominie. Medium size, medicinal, flat, greenish yellow, red and russet streaks in the sun ; stem half an inch long, slender, in a wide very deep cavity, calyx small, in a broad basin, flesh white, very tender, juicy, of a sprightly ^flavor. In the Valley and Western Virginia, it is a first class apple, keep- ing until March. Qatline. (Coxe, Thompson.) This is a native of Mary- land, and "o-e insert Mr. Coxe's description. " It is a great bearer, medium size, stalk short and thick, skin smooth, and of a beautiful yellow, with clear and brilliant red towards the sun, with numerous streaks and many dark spots scattered on the surface ; flesh pale yellow, tender, rich, juicy and sweet, as an eating apple in October ; November and December it is particularly fine. Gfravenstein. Large, roundish, striped, of first quality, tender, juicy and high flavored, vigorous, erect and produc- tive, perfectly hardy, very vigorous. One of the handsomest and best for all parts of the country. Early Winter apple at the North. Porter. Large, regular, oblong, tapering to the eye ; skin bright yellow, sometimes a dull blush in the sun, flesh tender, ORCHARDS. 163 sub-acid, fine, fair and productive ; deserves general cultiva- tion ; September and October. Yellow Bellejieur. Very large, long ovate conical, irregu- lar ribbed, mostly towards the eye ; smooth, lemon yellow, gen- erally a blush in the sun, stem long, slender, in a narrow deep cavity, calyx closed in a narrow plaited basin, flesh tender, juicy, of a rich, sprightly aromatic flavor ; latter part of November to February ; good grower, moderate and con- stant bearer, one of the best in quality ; popular in all of the Southwest and West, and in new lands of the North, and strong soils of New York. It is particularly adapted to all gandy and gravely soils. Originated in Burlington, N. J. Baldivin. Large, mostly colored with red, crisp and rich, ranks among the very best ; tree upright, vigorous grower, and abundant bearer ; keeps in the Valley and West Virginia until February and March. This stands at the head of all New England apples, and is suited to general and extended cultivation. The flesh is yellowish white, crisp, with that agreeable mingling of the saccharine acid which constitutes a rich high flavor. Rhode Island Q-reening. Large green ; a popular apple and deserves general cultivation. Valuable for cooking, vig- orous grower, flesh yellowish, fine, tender, crisp, juicy, slightly acid and aromatic, rapid and stout grower, great bearer. One of the very best for main crops. It succeeds well on light or sandy soils. Robinson s White Medium, crisp, juicy and delicate fla- vor, a good bearer, highly esteemed; November to January in the Valley of Va. Cogswell, Synonyms. Ohio Nonpareil, Cogswell's Pearmain. Above medium size, roundish, regular and uniform, a rich yellow ground, with stripes, splashes and dots of red, stem medium length, rather slender, cavity open, regular, often rus- suted, calyx, medium or small, basin medium depth ; flesh yel- lowish, crisp, juicy, sprightly, tender, aromatic, sub-acid. A good bearer, always producing fair and even sized fruit. Tree very hardy, suited to general cultivation ; November to March. Rambo. ■ (Coxe, Thomp.) The Rambo is one of the most 164 ORCHARDS. popular fruits to be found for market and for general cultiva- tion. It is a highly valuable apple for the table or kitchen and thrives well on most soils, especially on those that are light and sandy, it being a native of the banks of the Dela- ware. Fruit, medium size, round, greenish yellow, striped with red, tender, juicy and pleasant. Tree vigorous, erect, and very productive ; and is one of the best late Fall or early Winter apples for the Piedmont and Valley Districts of Vir- ginia and West Virginia, and is largely cultivated throughout the Western States. Righy Sweet. Synonyms, Trumbull Sweet, Fenton Sweet. Fruit, size medium or above ; form roundish, conical, flatten- ed at the ends, often one side enlarged or slightly oblique, color, pale yellow, with a faint tinge of red in the sun, and a few small, obscure, suffused reddish dots; flesh white, very tender, juicy, delicate, rich, sweet : season October to Decem- ber. Originated in Trumbull county, Ohio. Remarks. — This is comparatively a new variety, a very hardy tree, productive, and one of the most delicate of all the sweet apples. In the orchard, it makes a round, regular open head, and if well cultivated and manured when it is needed, it will bear annually and abundantly. It is especially suited to table use — too tender for shipment. Maiden s Blush. A remarkably beautiful apple, a native of New Jersey, and first described by Coxe. It begins to ripen about the last of August, and continues until the last of October. It has all the beauty of color of the pretty little Lady Apple, and is much cultivated and admired both for the table and for cooking. It is also very highly esteemed for drying. Fruit medium size, flat and quite smooth and fair ; skin thin, clear lemon yellow, with a colored cheek, some- times delicately tinged like a blush, and in others with a bril- liant red ; flesh white, tender, sprightly, with a pleasant sub- acid flavor. This variety forms a handsome, rapid growing tree, with a fine spreading head, and bears large crops." winter varieties. G-rimes' Gfolden. (Grimes' Golden Pippin.) An apple of the highest quality, nearly equal to the Albemarle Pippin, medium ORCHARDS. 165 to large, yellow, tree hardy, vigorous, very productive; orig- inally from Virginia, grown in Southern Ohio, and through- out the Southwest, and West. Buff Apple. A celebrated North Carolina apple, very fine, large size, much cultivated in Buncombe Co., and other parts of the State. Cullasaga. A fine apple cultivated in Habersham Co., Ga, and various other parts. Carthoiise or Romanite. (Gilpin, Coxe.) A handsome cider fruit from Virginia, medium, round, striped, sub-acid and agreeable ; tree an early and heavy bearer, very valuable on account of its keeping qualities ; a very hardy, fruitful, vigorous tree ; fruit juicy, rich; late in Spring. Wine Sap. (Already described) Popular everywhere, and generally cultivated ; useful for all purposes ; every orchard should have a large proportion. Roxbury Russet. Medium to large, surface rough, green- ish, covered with russet, tree vigorous and great bearer, valu- able for its long keeping : December to May. When fully ripe, slightly acid and very pleasant, excellent for cooking. A moderate grower and great bearer ; is adapted to moist, strong, rich soil. White Winter Pearmain. (Already described) Highly esteemed at the West and Southwest. Pilot. Origin, Nelson Co., Va., very valuable new variety, keeps well and late. (Already described.) Pryor's Red. A native of Virginia ; large, flat, brownish yellow, little russet, tinged with red ; flesh fine, rather tender, sweetish, sub-acid, dryish, of a rich agreeable, and peculiar fla- vor. Elliott says well adapted to rich alluvial soils of the West ; very salable in New Orleans ; December to February. Rawles Genet. Medium, round, greenish, streaked and clouded with dull red. It is a regular and heavy bearer, flesh compact, crisp, juicy and vinous, keeps well, succeeds well in all portions of Virginia, and puts forth its leaves and blossoms much later than other varieties Hubbardston Nonesuch, is, perhaps, the most beautiful apple that grows, and in this instance, "outward beauty is an 166 ORCHARDS. index of inward good," being a very early Winter apple, it is suitable tor early market. Fine, large, roundish, oblong, much narrower near the eye, skin smooth, striped with splashes and irregular stripes of pale and bright red, which nearly cover ayelloAvish ground ; flesh yellow, juicy and tender, with an agreeable mingling of sweetness and acidity in its flavor ; October to January. Northern Spy. Large, conical, flattened, striped and quite covered on the sunny side with dark crimson, and deli- cately covered with bloom ; both leaf and blossoms open from one to two weeks later than most other sorts, which renders it a valuable variety for frosty situations. February to April. Nickajack. An apple of Southern reputation, fruit large, roundish, skin striped and splashed with crimson ; flesh yellow, tender, crisp, juicy, with a fine, rich, sub-acid flavor; Novem- ber to April. Esopus Spitzenberg. Size medium to large ; form round- ish, oblong conical, flesh yellow, a little tough until fully ripe, when it becomes breaking, crisp, abounding in a very high flavored aromatic juice; forms an orchard tree of large size, requires a strong soil; December to March. Fallawater or Tulpeliocken. (Already described) This magnificent and delicious apple is largely cultivated in the West and Southwest, and is a favorite in the Valley of Virginia. King of Tompkin's County. Large, yellowish, shaded with red, splashed with crimson, tender, with a rich, vinous flavor ; a popular apple at the North, and does well in the Valley of Virginia, West Virginia and Western States. This superb red apple is of the largest size and finest quality, tree a good grower and bearer, very hardy ; November to March. Ladies Sweet. Large, roundish, green and red, nearly quite red in the sun ; sweet, sprightly and perfumed, shoots tender, but erect, a great bearer ; originated in Newburg, New York. One of the best Winter sweet apples ; Novem- ber to May. Lady Apple, Pomme D'Api. .A beautiful little dessert fruit ; flat, pale yellow, with a brilliant red cheek ; flesh crisp, juicy and pleasant. The tree forms a dense erect head, and bears large ORCHARDS. 167 crops of fruit in clusters ; the fruit sells for the highest price in New York, London and Paris ; November to May. Abram, or Father Abram. A Southern variety, medium striped with red, flesh rather firm with an agreeable aromatic flavor ; a great bearer and keeps well until April or May. • Ben Davis, or Kentucky Red Streak. Large, handsome striped apple of excellent quality, tree very hardy, vigorous and productive ; a late keeper, highly esteemed in the West and Southwest. Sivaar. Large, pale lemon yellow, with dark dots, rich and spicy, slender grower and moderate bearer, but ex- cellent quality, worthy of general culture ; December to May. Flesh, yellowish, fine grained, tender, high aromatic flavor, excellent. Limbertwig. An old and well known Southern apple ; medium size, dull red color, sub-acid, moderately vigorous grower, bears heavily on strong soils ; rich, soft, pulpy, aro- matic and excellent, late in the Spring ; fine keeper ; Febru- ary to late in June. Milam. (Already described). This is a splendid apple in the Piedmont district of Virginia. Suitable for general cultivation. Winter Pearmain. (Coxe.) Green Winter Pearmain ; Pearmain Herefordshire. (Thompson.) This delicious old variety, generally known in Virginia as the Green Winter Pearmain, is one of the finest of all winter dessert fruits, and its mild and agreeable flavor renders it here, as abroad, a universal favorite, both as a dessert apple and for cooking. Fruit of medium size, oblong and of a pretty regular Pear- main shape ; skin stained, and mottled with a soft, brownish red on a dull, russety green ground, dotted with greyish specks ; flesh pale yellow, very mellow and tender, with a pleasant aro- matic flavor ; produces large crops on light, rich soils as well as on the limestone soils of the West. Yellow Bellefleur. (Already described.) For general cul- tivation ; early Winter. Winter Sweet Paradise. This is a very productive and excellent orchard fruit, always fair, and of fine appearance, 168 ORCHARDS. originated near Columbia, Pennsylvania. Fruit large, regu- larly formed, roundish, skin fair and smooth, dull green when picked, with a brownish blush, becoming a little paler at ma- turity. Flesh white, fine grained, juicy, sweet, sprightly and very good ; Nov. to April. Monstrous Pippin, Grloria Mundi. (Coxe, Floy, Thomp.) This magnificently large apple, says Downing, is a native fruit, and we have frequently seen it weighing nearly a pound and a half, and measuring 14 inches in circumference. It is an excellent cooking apple, and, when in perfection, of a fair quality for eating ; owing to its great weight it blows from the tree. It would be best to grow it in protected situations. Flesh white, tender, with a pleasant acid flavor ; October to January. Albemarle Pippin. The first commercial apple in America, and generally raised for European markets. (This fruit has already been described). Peck's Pleasant. Large, roundish, angular ; skin smooth, green, becoming yellow, with a blush on the sunny side ; re- sembles the Newtown Pippin ; flesh yellowish, fine grained, crisp and juicy, high flavored;. a valuable market variety;. December to March. Male Carle. " This is the most celebrated of all apples in Italy and the South of Europe, whence it comes. It is raised in great quantities about Genoa, and its great beauty and delicacy of flavor render it quite an article of commerce in Italian and Spanish seaports.'' All South of New York it becomes beautiful and fine, but cannot be grown in New Eng- land, " Fruit medium size, medicinal, common apple shape, smooth, lemon color, crimson in the sun ; flesh white, not juicy, of a delicate rose perfumed flavor." This apple is well adapted to the Southern region of our country, and comes to high perfection in the Valley of Virginia. In season from Oc- tober to January. Danver's Winter Sweet. Medium size, greenish yellow, with often a brownish cheek, tender, rich and sweet. Tree moderately vigorous and productive ; November to March. Twenty- Ounce Apple, Cayuga Red Streak. A very large, ORCHARDS. 169 showy apple, well known in Cayuga, county, N. Y. It is a very good, sprightly fruit, not very highly flavored, but its remark- ably handsome appearance and large size render it one of the most popular fruits in market. The tree is thrifty, bears regular crops and the fruit is always fair and handsome ; flesh not very fine, juicy, sprightly, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor. Chandler, Chandler's Red. Large, roundish, pale yellow ground, mostly red ; stalk short, in a wide cavity ; calyx small in a wide basin ; flesh tender, juicy, rather rich, pleasant sub- acid ; moderate grower and great bearer ; November to Feb- ruary. D ut oh Mignonne. Large, roundish, dull orange and dull red, large russet specks ; flesh rather tender, of a rich, high aromatic flavor ; good grower and bears well. Delicious in the middle region, including Virginia and Southwestern States, but little known at the North ; November to March. * Mason Pippin. Origin, Brunswick county, Va. A very superior new variety, almost equal to the Albemarle Pippin. (This splendid apple has already been described.) December to April. * Stonewall. Origin, Lunenburg county, Va. Medium to large, greenish yellow, streaked with red, flavor mild and pleasant; rather mealy; a good keeper, and bearer and an excellent new variety ; December to April. * Red Everlasting. Origin, Charlotte county, Virginia ; medium to small, beautiful crimson color ; oblong, very juicy and- sweet. Raised by Thomas Baldwin, Esq.; January to June. * Hick's White. Origin, Loudoun county, Va. A beau- tiful, conical-shaped white apple, with cheek slightly tinged with red ; flesh pure white, mellow and rich ; one of the best. This is an Autumn apple, extending into winter ; December. * Atkins' . Origin, Powhatan county, Va. Medium to large ; round ; skin fine, red ; flesh pale yellow ; flavor sub- Note. — Varieties marked thus * are new fruits, which, together with other new kinds, are grown and for sale by the Virginia Nursery and Wine Company, Richmond, Va.,. and at the Richmond Nurseries. 170 • ORCHARDS. acid and rich. This fine new apple is raised by Geo. B. Atkins, Esq.; December to May. Sweet Genet. Origin, Indiana. This new variety is one from a lot of seedlings from Rawles Gfenet, which has the late-blooming character of its parent in a high degree ; being at least a week later in extending its blossoms, it always escapes the spring frost, and the original tree has never failed to produce a crop since it was large enough to bear. Tree healthy, vigorous, spreading, productive, with fruit well dis- tributed, shoots stout, foliage rich, green, abundant ; fruit large, fair, covered with red, flavor sweet ; season December to March. NEW VARIETIES. * Starke Apple. The Starke apple is a new variety now attracting attention in the West. Mr. A. H. Gaston, of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, thinks it "the very best apple in America." The Starke is described in the Horticul- tural Annual for 1869, with a drawing. *The Sylvester Apple. At the State Fair held in Roches- ter in 1868, we saw an apple which was remarkable for its • beauty, and when its originator, Dr. E.'Ware Sylvester, of Lyons, N. Y., gave us a specimen to taste, we found that its quality kept the promise made by its exterior. Again, this year, we have been able to try other specimens of the variety, and considering it as deserving a wider popularity than it now enjoys, have had it engraved. The tree is said to be vigorous and an abundant bearer. The skin is white and of a most delicate waxy appearance, which is heightened by the beauti- ful markings of crimson that are found upon the specimens, which have been well exposed to the sun. The flesh is white and very tender and juicy ; indeed, upon cutting, the juice follows the knife as it does with a well-ripened pear ; flavor, a pleasant sub-acid. Excellent for cooking. Sept. and Oct. Dr. Sylvester should feel gratified at having his name at- tached to so good a fruit. — American Agriculturist, 1870, Jan. No. * Tyler s Rennet. This delightful apple was discovered in ORCHARDS. 171 an old seedling orchard at Pleasant Valley, Albemarle co., Va. Description.— Fruit, medium size, roundish, skin very ten- der, yellowish white, sometimes a blush ; surface smooth, flesh white, very tender, crisp, juicy, with a brisk, spicy aro- matic flavor ; sweetish, slightly acid, very fine ; tree rather large, irregular, great bearer ; matui es early in August ; use, eating or dessert and cooking. OTHER NEW VARIETIES. *07iio Nonpareil, (or Myers' Nonpareil. This is a noble fruit ; its early history is involved iu some obscurity. In the fourteenth report of the Ohio Pomological Society, 1868, the following account is given : " Our fellow-member, S. B. Marshall of Missillon, Ohio, obtained scions from Wm. Myers, of New Lisbon, about 1840. since which time he has propaga- ted, distributed and planted the trees, and exhibited the fruit upon various occasions, and to him we are indebted for having introduced this fine Autum or early Winter fruit to our no- tice. From Mr. Myers he learned that a tree of this variety had fruited for eighteen or twenty years in his orchard ; from its excellence he had supposed it to be a grafted fruit, but as the party from whom he had purchased the property had left the country, he had never ascertained whence the trees were procured. This fine apple has been in bearing for nearly twenty years, and is now coming into fruit in many other places, where it promises to sustain its high reputation. Tree healthy, vigorous, robust, wide branching ; foliage large, healthy ; fruit large, fair and handsome, globular, oblate, regular, surface smooth, yellow, covered with mixed and min- gled bright red, and stripes and plashes of deeper color, dots minute ; flesh yellow, breaking, fine grained, juicy ; flavor mild, sub-acid, rich, very agreeable, use, table, kitchen and market, season October to December. Both fruit and tree closely resemble the Cogswell, a Connecticut apple ; suit- able for general cultivation. This valuable apple has already been described. Stark Apple. Tree vigorous and healthy, fruit globular, 172 ORCHARDS. regular, large, surface smooth, yellow, covered generally, mix. ed red, splashed, crimson, dots numerous, medium dark ; flesh, yellow, breaking juicy, flavor sub-acid, agreeable, quality good, use, market and kitchen ; season December and all the Winter. (Description by Dr. Warder.) The following is a partial list of apples recommended by Prof. Saunders of the " Department of Agriculture," at a meeting of the Potomac Fruit Growers Association" in July 1871, at Washington City. Nickajack, Matamuskeet, Abram, Hall's Early, Albemarle Pippin, Golden Wilding, Winesap, Pryor's Eed, Cullasaga, Cannon Pearmain, Limbertwig, Smith's Cider, Milam, Borum, Shockley, Brook's Pippin. WOODMAN'S LIST FOR STANFORD KENTUCKY. APPLES. Summer. Autumn. Winter. Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Ben Davis, Early Joe, . Fall Queen, Rawles' Genet. Carolina Red June. Yellow Bellefleur. Rome Beauty. Limbertwig. OTHER VARIETIES. Monte Bello. (Description by Mr. Downing.) This splendid new apple was raised from seed on the place of Mathew Gray, at Riverside, in Monte Bello Township, Han- cock Co., Illinois. It is there considered an apple of great promise, the tree being hardy, moderately vigorous and healthy ; an early and annual bearer, and the fruit always fair and smooth ; fruit above medium, oblate, regular ; skin, pale yellow, shaded and mottled with light red, and splashed and striped with dark rich red, nearly over the whole surface, and sprinkled with a few light dots ; stalk very short, and small, inserted in a broad cavity, russeted, calyx closed, or ORCHARDS. 173 nearly so ; flesh very white, fine grained, a little stained next to the skin, very tender, juicy, mild, sub-acid, vinous flavor, quality very good or best, core medium or small; ripens from September tc^December. *Mote Siveet. Produced from the seeds of the Stillwater Sweet. Origin, Ohio. " Tree vigorous, with around, spread- ing top, thus differing from its parent ; foliage large, wide, finely serrate, and rather pale green ; fruit large and fair ; globular, oblate, surface very smooth, greenish yellow, becom- ing whitish yellow, rarely a light blush ; dots scattered, gray, often becoming rosy spots ; flesh light yellow, very fine grained, melting, juicy, flavor very sweet, pleasant ; season September ; use table and kitchen ; quality best. This is one of the most delicate, tender, sweet apples ever exhibited; is a new variety; very highly recommended. *Celestia. "From another seed of the Stillwater Sweet. This is considered one of the most remarkable apples of the country. Resembling the famous Dyer in its general appear- ance, texture, and peculiar flavor, it excels that sort in the perfection of all these good qualities, and is especially prefer- able in its much more attractive appearance, and more perfect fruit. The original tree is thrifty, with an upright, spreading head ; shoots, light redish brown ; foliage, medium, very finely serrated, sharply accuminate." Fruit large to very large ; fair, conical, globular, somewhat angular ; surface smooth, pale yellow ; dots scattered gray, with green bases ; tender, juicy, sub-acid ; season, September. *Powers. This beautiful, showy and delicate table apple was found in a village garden in the town of Perrysburg, Ohio, and introduced to the Ohio Pomological Society by Mr. George Powers. Fruit large to very l^rge, fair and hand- some, globular-oblate, regular ; surface smooth, red, with dis- tinct splashes of carmine on a delicate, waxy, yellow ground; flavor very mild sub-acid, pleasantly aromatic or spicy, agreea- ble ; season, October, November ; use table ; quality, excel- lent." SUMMER VARIETIES. In addition to and among others named in this work, the 174 ORCHARDS. following varieties are recommended by experienced fruit growers, in the States of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, &c, most of Northern apples failing in keeping qualities. * Berry. Large, green, with red stripes ; Winter* Blackshear. Very large, white ; Winter. Buckingham. Large, crimson ; Autumn. Carter. Large, yellow ; Winter. Chestattee. Large, yellow ; Winter. Cullasaga. Large, red ; Winter. Dahlonega. Large ; Autumn. Disharoon. Large, yellow; Autumn. Bucket. Winter. Equinitely. Large, red, fine quality ; late Fall and Winter. Hominy. Medium size, red ; Summer ; identical with Sops of Wine. Julian. Medium size, yellow ; summer. Maverick Sweet. Large, red, sweet ; Winter. Mangum. Medium size; Autumn. Me Cloud's Family. Summer. Nickajack. Very large, dull red ; Winter. Bed Wamir. Very large, red; Winter; very long keeper. Bed Fall Pippin. Large, dark red ; Autumn. -{Shockley. Medium size, yellow and red ; a long keeper * Nearly all Winter apples commence to be in eating condition in the latitude of Athens, Georgia, in October, and if carefully put away, in a cool, airy room, free from severe frost, much the larger can be kept through the Winter, and some varieties keep well through the Spring. Apples may be preserved at a temperature just above freezing for many months without the least decay. At a temperature of 80° the best of Winter apples in tight barrels, will spoil in a few days. f This splendid new apple, ("so highly colored they look like pic- tures") originated with Mr. Shockley, of Jackson county, North Caro- lina. Its popularity is unbounded in that region. The editor of the Carolina Farmer and Weekly Star says : "We have no personal ac- quaintance with the Shockley apple, but the specimens we have are yet in perfect preservation this, 6th day of August, and are only a little shrivelled, but of a color so intense that they look to be almost too arti- ficial. Mr. W. H. Thurmond, whose reputation as a horticulturist makes him first rate authority, tells us that he has known two Shockleys which were preserved two years." Any number of Shockleys can be had at the "Gate City Nursery" whose advertisement is standing in the Plantation, a valuable journal published at Atlanta, Georgia. ORCHARDS. 175 and great bearer ; one of the most valuable of Southern Win- ter apples. Wall. Large, fine ; Winter. Yopp's Favorite. Large, fine quality ; Autumn. North 'Carolina Red June. Not the Virginia long ste"m, nor the striped June of some localities ; conical, crimson, short stem, stands first among Southern early apples ; market fruit. Early Harvest. Perhaps the next best; fine for market. Red Astrakhan. Highly recommended ; all uses. Early Sweet Bough, Red Margaret, Early Joe, Bucking- ham, Large Summer Queen, Summer Rose, May Apple; all fine.* MISSOURI APPLES. List of Apples adopted at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Missouri State Horticultural Society, January 1868, and Recommended by the Society. Summer, for market. Early Harvest, Red June, Red As- trachan, Sops of Wine. For Family. Same, adding Benoni, Sweet June, Ameri- can Summer, Pearmain, Early Strawberry,' Summer Queen. Fall, for market. Maiden's Blush, Rambo, Hubbardston, Nonesuch, Famuese, Ramsdell Sweet. Early Winter. Wine, or Pennsylvania Red Streak, Smith's Cider,, Porter, Fall Queen, Prior's Red, Rome Beauty, Moore's Sweet. For family. Yellow Bellefleur, Peck's Pleasant, Rhode Island Greening, American Golden Russet, Jonathan, New- town Pippin, Spitzenburg, Wagener, Fallawater. Late Winter, for market. Rawles' Genet, Newtown Pip- pin, (on limestone soils,) Willow Twig, Wine Sap, Gilpin Ben Davis, Ladies' Sweet, White Winter Pearmain. For Cider. Wine Sap, Gilpin, Rawles' Genet. Advice. — We deem it not inappropriate, at this place, again to warn farmers and those who intend going into fruit- * The last ten varieties are highly recommended for Middle North Carolina, by Col. J. B. Zollicoffer, who is an experienced orchardist. 176 ORCHARDS. culture, to look well to the selection of varieties. " On any account do not cumber your land and waste your labor, and deprive yourself of good fruit, as many have done, in plant- ing a great number of miscellaneous varieties, with high- sounding names that will neither give profit nor pleasure; but confine your planting to a few ivell known kinds, that have established a reputation for their excellence in your vicinity or section of country." You need not discard all Northern or foreign kinds, as many of them do well in different sections of the South and West, and may do well with you ; yet it is much safer, in our judgment, to plant, as before said, kinds that are known to succeed well in your section, and if for market, the earliest should always be selected in the more Southern districts, and for all places, a few of the very best is better for profit, however large the orchard, than a con- fused number of those that are uncertain or medium, as it re- gards the requisites desirable in good, profitable fruit. In these opinions Col. Zollicoffer, of North Carolina, concurs with me. ORCHARDS. 177 APPLE REPORT. Abstract of a Report of the Comparative Flavor, Thrifty Growth, Reg- ular Bearing, Early Bearing, Hardiness, and Productiveness of Or- chard in Hannibal County, and another in Cameron County, Missouri. The first by 0. H. Lear, and the second by John C. McCarthy. Por- tions of each selected and arranged as follows : Table — Scale of Ten. No. 10. the best, poorest. No. 7, medium, No. 1, SUMMER APPLES. American Summer Pearmain Benoni Prince's Yellow Harvest Sweet June Red June Summer Queen AUTUMN APPLES. Fall Wine Fall Queen, or Turner's Queen Porter Rambo Gravenstein King of Tompkins County Maiden's Blush WINTER APPLES. Ortley, or "White Bellefleur, always in de- mand Rawles' Genet, standard Wine Sap, standard White Winter Pearmain, very saleable Yellow Bellefleur, fine, when you get it.. Smith's Cider Fallawater Ben Davis Northern Spy Pryor'sRed Baldwin Dominie K rd bC bi) o > 03 o> 3 •so .2 tR W H W tf 10 9 4 9 4 8 10 8 5 7 9 7 5 5 10 10 10 10 10 6 9 7 8 10 8 10 10 4 4 10 9 8 10 9 8 8 10 5 10 8 8 5 8 10 4 10 9 9 10 8 6 8 10 9 6 10 10 10 8 7 9 10 9 7 8 7 10 6 7 7 9 10 8 8 10 10 10 8 5 6 10 10 8 7 8 7 10 10 7 8 6 6 10 10 6 10 8 10 10 10 10 3 5 10 9 6 2 4 9 5 8 5 5 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 2 10 10 3 10 13 178 ORCHARDS. VARIETIES CULTIVATED AS DWARFS IN MIDDLE REGIONS OF THE SOUTH. THE Buncombe, Earl j Harvest. Family, Nickajack, Sweet Bough, Yopps Favorite, Carter's Blue, Early Red Margaret, Kettageska, Red Astrachan, Shockley, Transcendant, Disharoon, Equinetelee, Mangum, Red June, Taunton, Siberian Crabs. TABLE OF DISTANCES AT WHICH TREES SHOULD BE PLANTED. Standard Apple Trees - - - 25 to 33 feet apart each way. Dwarf " " - - - 8 to 10 Standard Pear Trees - - - 20 Dwarf " " - , - 6 to- 10 Standard Cherry - - - - 20 Dwarf Cherry - - - - 10 Peach, Plum and Apricot Trees, 12 to 20 Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries, 3 to 6 feet apart each way. Grape Vines ------ 5 to 8 feet apart each way. At NUMBER OF TREES TO AN ACRE AT VARIOUS DISTANCES. 3 feet apart each way 4 " 4,840 2,729 . 1,742 1,200 ........ 680 430 325 200 ....... 135 110 70 50 ....... 40 The number of plants required for an acre, at any given distance apart, may be ascertained by dividing the number of " 5 u " 6 a " 8 u " 10 u " 12 a S 15 a " 18 a " 20 u " 25 u " 30 ti " 33 a ORCHARDS. 179 square feet in an acre, (43,560) by the number of square feet given to each plant, which is obtained by multiplying the dis- tance between rows by the distance between the plants or trees. Thus strawberries planted three feet by one foot, give each plant' three square feet or 14,520 plants to the acre. QUALITIES OF APPLES. Qualities desirable in varieties of Apples for different purposes. For a good and salable apple for market, we would recoir- mend a combination of the following requisites : A thrifty grower, good bearer, fruit large, handsome and of excellent quality : a red apple is the most salable. Some, though not first rate, are profitable for the market as they sell from their superior size and beauty, although the quality may be only tolerable. For the private garden or small orchard, quality is of the first importance ; yet appearance, growth and bearing are also important considerations. With the amateur, quality is the main thing, and appear- ance next ; while growth and bearing are of less regard. A dessert apple should be of good size, handsome, and of a fine rich flavor. Cooking apples should be rather large, fair, and of an even surface, qualities various for different purposes. The cooking, of apples destroys much of their acidity. Some brisk acid apples, that are poor for the dessert, are excellent for the kitchen. Some apples will not cook well, but retain tbeir form and remain hard after this process. These should be discarded. Some cook quickly and form a jelly, which is desirable for some purposes, but not for others. The best sweet apples for milk, are those th?t bake per- fectly soft, yet retain their form. Those that fall to pieces from their own weight in cooking and mix up with the milk are not good. 180 ORCHARDS. GATHERING, PRESERVING AND MANAGEMENT OF APPLES. The art of keeping or preserving fruit, is simply the pre- vention of the chemical processes which produce their dis- solution ; as life, whether animal or vegetable, prevents putrefaction. Many fruits exist long after they are gathered from the tree, before they become matured and ripe, and die spontaneously, and, in consequence putrefy, as crabs, sloes, pears, apples, &c. The art of preserving them consists in storing them, where the heat is neither much above or below 48 degrees, which is the temperature of the interior parts of the earth ; that is in a dry cellar, or beneath the soil ; or well- covered with straw leaves, or mats in a room. As greater heat might make them ripen sooner than they are wanted, by the increased activity of their vegetable life; and frost by destroying that life, would subject them to putrefy, when they become thawed; as often happens to apples and potatoes, which are not well defended from frost — and lastly the moisture would injure them in many respects ; first, by its contributing to destroy their vegetable life ; secondly, in promoting the chem- ical process of putrefaction ; and thirdly, by its encouraging the growth of mucor or moulcl, which will grow in most situ- ations without much light or air. Great cold, on the contrary, destroys both animals and vegetables by the torpor occasioned by the defect of stimulus, and a consequent temporary death. Afterwards, if a great degree of cold be continued, in some cases, the expansion of their freezing juices may burst the vegetable vessels, and thus render the life of them irrecoverable. It is affirmed by Mons. Reaumeur, that if frozen apples be dipped in cold water repeatedly, and the ice thus formed on their surface wiped off, or if they be left in a large pailfull of very cold water, so that they may not thaw too hastily, they will not loose their flavor. It this be true, and the apples will keep sound some time afterwards, it would seem that vegetable life was not destroyed ; but that, like sleeping insects, they are re-animated by the warmth ; otherwise, if the flavor be not de- ORCHARDS. 181 stroyedand they could be immediately eaten, or used in cookery, it is still a valuable discovery. It is at least a simple plan and easily tested. A correspondent from Indiana says : " The apple or potato that has been frozen, decays in consequence of sud- den thawing, but if they are put, in a frozen state, into cold water until the frost is expelled, and then are used, they will be nearly if not quite as good as if they had not been frozen. The same writer remarks, " that to keep apples from Au- tumn to June, they should be placed in a shallow hole, dug as if for potatoes ; the bottom is first covered with corn stalks or straw, (leaves would be best) and then straw with dirt, five or six inches more. No shelter is to be placed over them. When the severe weather commences, and the ground, and perhaps the apples, are thoroughly frozen, place straw over the frozen heap, and cover the wdiole again with a coating of earth 10 or 12 inches thick. The object of this is to keep the first coating of earth frozen, until Spring, and then to cause it to thaw very slowly" Any vegetables may be pre- served in this way, but we think it would sometimes be found that apples treated in this manner would acquire a somewhat unpleasant earthy flavor ; and, besides, they would immedi- ately decay on exposure to the air. APPLE CELLAR OR FRUITERY. Where apples are to be preserved for domestic purposes, or for the later markets, throughout the Winter, and in quantities, a cellar expressly for this purpose should be dug ; unless the farmer has a very dry one already prepared. This cellar should be made on a hill if possible, or rising ground sloping to the North, with openings or windows facing the North, to admit the air in fine weather, and that should be attended to. It should be dug in*dry, gravelly or sandy soil. It should be walled with stone, brick, or wood, and of any convenient depth to secure dryness, for that is the most important con- sideration, save that of freezing. The height of the body of the house may be 4 or 5 feet above ground and covered and planked up similar to an ice house. The barrels should be placed on tiers, on their sides, and the cellar kept as dark as possible. 182 ORCHAKDS. In such a cellar apple growers may safely and securely keep any quantity of apples, in the best order, provided they are put away at the proper time, and in good condition. The expense of * constructing, such a house would be but trifling, even less than that of an ice house ; unless it is built very large, and at a place where materials are scarce. -■»■■ All apples to be kept through the Winter, should be gath- ered by hand, aided by the "fruit picker," mentioned in an- other part of this work. The ground immediately under the trees should be covered with straw, or any soft litter, whilst gathering, as the best fruit is apt to fall. The same should be done when the apples are intended for cider, as bruised apples will not keep or make good cider. The gathering of the Winter fruit should be delayed as long as possible to secure fine flavor, but it will keep longer and better, if gath- ered before quite ripe ; but there is a difference in this res- pect in different varieties of apples. In the climate of Vir- ginia, from the middle of October to the middle or even last of November, on mountain sides, and high mountain valleys is the proper time. After that time there is danger from frost or freezing. Those who have a good, cool dry cellar had much better put away their apples as gathered, if late in the season. As a general thing in the absence of a thermometer, when the ice is made half an inch thick, the barrels should be re- moved very carefully, from the shed to the cellar or fruitery. It is generally admitted " that the nearer the fruit is kept to the freezing point the better. It will not generally freeze unless the temperature is 5 to 7 degrees below 32, or the freezing of water." Apples headed up will bear frost 10 or 12 degrees below the freezing point. We would say farther in regard to gathering or picking apples to keep, that, as a general rule, in order to secure soundness and a good condition ; Winter fruit should be picked in dry, cool weather, the gathering delayed as long as possible, avoiding severe frost. It should be handled with care in order to prevent bruising, and should not be allowed to lie in heaps exposed to the sun, or even stand in barrels ex- posed to the sun, as such course is injurious to the life and keeping qualities of the apples. ORCHARDS. 183 Apples for distant or foreign markets should be placed in new, tight flour barrels as soon as gathered from the tree — the finer sorts may be wrapt in tissue paper. The barrels should be gently shaken while filling, and the head gently and closely pressed in ; lined and nailed with 3-penny nails. (For further directions as to packing, see Mr. D. H. London's valuable communication. These barrels are then placed in a cool shady exposure, under a shed open to the air, or on the north side of a building, protected by a covering of boards. It is usual for them to remain here for a week or two, or until there is danger of freezing, when they are carefully removed to the cellar or fruitery. Note. — In some large, airy, packing houses, at the foot of the Blue Ridge in Virginia, the barrels are placed on tiers on their sides, as they are filled from the heaps or orchards. The temperature during cold spells is regulated by the thermometer, stoves being used so as to secure a temperature not exceeding 32 degrees. In this way, the fruit is always ready for shippiDg, and is taken from the houses in cold weather to Rail Roads for immediate transportation. "Instructions for gathering, barreling, shipping, &c. The following very important, valuable and practicable directions for gathering, barreling, and shipping apples, are from a New York Commission Merchant, (No. 63, Broadway) formerly a resident of Richmond, Va. A part of the busi- ness of his house is to ship large quantities of fruit to England and European countries. No. 63 Broadway, New York, Sept. 1, 1870. As the season is near in which your fruit growers must gather and prepare their pippins and ladies' apples for mar- ket, and deeming the matter of so much importance, I beg leave to bring to their attention the following instructions which I have gained by several seasons of experience in the sale and handling of Albemarle Pippins and Ladies' apples. First — Gather the pippins before they are fully ripe, by picking the fruit and carefully handling it and leaving it in an open house till it sweats and dries off. On Southern ex- 184 ORCHARDS. posures the pippin is usually ripe enough 1st October, on the Northern exposures by the middle of October ; but the soil varies their ripening, and the grower must judge of the con- dition of the apples by their appearance. Second — A new barrel only ought to be used, and after taking out the bottom, not the head — tack the lower middle hoop on each side of the bulge of the barrel with three-penny nails, (no larger size nails) clinch inside so that the inside of the barrel is perfectly smooth ; put the head of the barrel to the floor. Carefully select the perfect apples, wipe each one and place them with the stems down, seeing that the apples are uniform in size and appearance ; when by placing with the hand the apples layer after layer till the barrel is a little more than full, gently press in the bottom head and headline, across the heading, using the three-penny nails, and then tack the top hoop with not over 5 to 6 three-penny nails, turn up the head and do the same. Mark the owner s initials and num- ber of barrel, say No. 1 and up, so that when the fruit reaches me it can be known. I have had much trouble from this omission. Third — Ship to the care of the Old Dominion S. S. Co v Richmond, with instructions to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company, or whatever line may carry the fruit to Richmond, to forward to me the blil of lading. Ship in round lots of 100 barrels or more, as large uniform lots sell at better prices than small and irregular lots. Fourth — Do not ship to this market any defective fruit, nor any mixed fruit, and upon no account put large, fine fruit on the head and poor small fruit in the middle of the barrels ; one such barrel will defeat the sale of a thousand barrels. In plain words, be certain that you pack your fruit honestly. Fifth — handle the ladies' apples quite as carefully as you do the pippins, observing this fact that it is the small sized Red Ladies' apples, which bring the highest prices ; with the pippin it is the large clear-skinned fruit, which command the best price. Sixth — Wine-saps, if very carefully handled and the fruit be of the same size, will generally sell at from $4 to $6 in ORCHARDS. 185 small quantities, whilst the pippins have brought from $6 to $9, and some as high as $16. Ladies' apples from $10 to $30. My wish has been to get the shipment of most of the Albe- marle pippins and Ladies' apples which are sent here, for I well know the advantage to the owners Avhich will result by having one known house to control this fruit — it is known to me that the quality and flavor is highly valued throughout Great Britain, the chief drawback being the order in which it is shipped, and this has been seriously injured by indiffer- ent and unprincipled parties getting hold of small quantities of Virginia pippins and sending them to Liverpool in bad order. Sincerely and honestly wishing to see this large and growing interest faithfully guarded here, 1 have written this letter for your Virginia fruit growers, and feel quite certain that if the instructions are carefully followed, the shippers to this market will not regret it; the Ladies' apple is now grown in your section better than it is in any other section, and I know of no fruit equal to a really No. 1 Albemarle pippin. With consideration and esteem, I am, very respectfully, Dan'l H. London. Note. — Although the above advice is intended for a particular section of the country, yet its value, in most respects, will be appreciated in all apple regions. HOW TO CUT AND PRESERVE SCIONS. As every farmer should be able to graft and bud his trees, it is of importance to select, judiciously, the scions for this purpose, and to know how to preserve them when selected. It is best to select and cut the well ripened and thrifty shoots — those that grow about the middle of the tree from upright vigorous limbs. The growth of some valuable trees is so limited that the growth of one year is too short, and in that case a little of the wood of the preceding year's growth is taken with the graft. Scions may be cut at any time from the falling of the leaves to the swelling of the buds. We think it best, how- ever, to cut them before very cold weather sets in, as they 186 ORCHARDS. may be injured during very cold winters. Some nurserymen prefer to cut only a few weeks before setting and just before tbe swelling of the buds, as they say the scion will in that case more readily absorb moisture from the stock, which pro- motes the union. Scions may be cut in October and Novem- ber, and kept in a perfect state for one year. When scions are cut in the fall or winter, the best mode of saving them is to bury them from four to six inches deep in a light soil, where the water will not stand on them. Sandy yellow soil is best, or sand alone. The situation should be covered or shgded, and they should be kept moist, but not wet. Saw- dust will keep them very well, and as it is easily obtained will be found very convenient. Where there are many scions and they will not be needed through the winter, they may be placed in a box, which is to be only half or two-thirds full ; cross pieces are fastened upon the inside in such a manner as to prevent the scions from falling out when inverted. The box is then buried, upside down, in a place where water will not como in contact with the scions. In putting away grafts we cannot be too careful to prevent their losing their iden- tity. Tie securely in bundles, and with each tie up a stick' marked in such a manner as not to be obliterated. Some take the precaution to cut away a portion of one or two of the larger scions, in order to obtain flat surface on which nu- merals are cut with a knife. A permanent record is of course kept of the varieties indicated by these numbers. When bog-moss can be found, it is an excellent material with which to pack the scions in a box. When scions are cut in the Winter or Spring, or even in the Fall, they may be packed in a tight box or chest, first putting in some damp moss or saw dust. It does not matter how many are packed together, the more scions the better they keep. Mould will not injure them. As the weather becomes warm, moisten the saw dust or moss and the inside of the box occasionally. Keep the top. on tightly, and place them in a damp, cool cellar. Too much moisture would be in- jurious, as it induces premature starting of the buds or kills the scions by saturation. Saw dust, a little moist, is consid- ORCHARDS. 187 ered about one of the best materials for the preservation of scions ; they should be closely imbedded in it, and, when taken out, they will be found plump and in fine order. Scions that are intended for immediate use may be cut at the time of setting, but care should be taken that they do not shrivel — they should not be exposed to the sun or air, or the warmth of the hands ; put them in as soon as possible after cutting. If scions should become frozen, let them thaw closely cov- ered, and in a dark cellar. BABBITS, MEADOW MICE, AND OTHER BARK EATERS. The mischief done by these depredators is generally irre- parable. A friend of ours, last Winter, lost the larger portion of a fine orchard of the famous Pilot and Albemarle Pippin apples, set the previous Spring. They were literally skinned by the rabbits from the ground to the height of twelve or fifteen inches. To prevent such girdling and barking of young trees there are various simple remedies : 1st. In Europe soot and milk applied as a paint to the stems as far up as the animals can reach. It should be done at the approach of Winter, on a dry day. 2. Coal tar, made at gas works, is an infallible remedy. It may be had at a few cents per gallon. As Winter sets in, apply a coat of this with a brush (painter's brush is best), laid on the lower part of the trunk from the ground to the height of one and a half or two feet. This will do no injury to the bark, while it completely, for that season, prevents the attacks. of rabbits, mice, and all bark devourers. In England the gardeners use this composition as a protection of any small shrubs and trees liable to be girdled. If the rains do not take off this and similar coats by the Spring, soap-suds, applied with a coarse rag, will effect the purpose, and otherwise ben- efit the trees. 3. Trees may be saved by tying around them laths, shin- gles, old barrel staves, narrow boards, strips of paste-board, stiff paper, old cloth, &c. 188 ORCHARDS. 4. Offensive substances, such as tobacco stems or rubbish, sulphur, assafoetida, hen or pigeon dung, mixed with mud or clay, and- applied. 5. Beef or hog liver, when fresh, rubbed on the stems as high as the rabbits can reach. Fat beef or tallow may be used. The liver is best. 6. Dr. McCannel, of Ohio {in the American Agriculturist), finds that a mixture of assafoetida and soft soap painted on the bark of young trees will effectually preserve them from the attacks of rabbits and meadow mice. He does not give the proportions, or the form in which the assafoetida is used. LABELS FOR FRUIT TREES. No orchardist should trust to his memory, but should promptly label his trees, distinctly and durably. It is per- plexing and vexatious to lose marks, and, to nurserymen, would occasion serious losses, and place them in awkward pre- dicaments with their patrons and customers. 1. Zinc is a good material when written on with a compo- sition of two parts fine verdigris, two sal-ammoniac, one lamp- black, twenty water. Mix in a mortar, with- a little water at first — shake and bottle for use. It will appear very legibly, and is quite durable; or with types — small pica or long primer will answer — with a lever, stamp the name or number on the zinc. 2. Wood painted with white lead; use soft, smooth, thin pieces. If not painted, moisten the wood, and write with a good strong pencil, with a heavy hand. 3. Old oxydized or rusted- zinc will receive and retain the mark of a common lead pencil. 4. On old tin or new, or sheet lead, write with a sharp awl or steel instrument, cutting through the coat of tin; use sheet lead the same way, or stamp the name or number with type and lever. 5. Wood printed is the best for nurserymen. Let the pieces be smoothly prepared and thinly painted with white lead. Use a lever for a press ; it is more distinct and expeditious than ORCHARDS. 189 writing. Four or five of the letters of each name are enough, and numbers are quickly printed. 6. Labels made of strips of old tea chest lead, old tin, zinc, or sheet lead, cut wide at one end for marking, the other drawn to a point and bent round a limb. The point may be run through a hole in the label and clinched. 7. For the use of the farmer, old tin, &c, may be used, and the letters or figures made with a sharp pointed awl or punch, by shaping them with little dots or holes. This is very simple and durable. Fastenings — Stout twine will last a year. Nos. 20 to 23 annealed copper wire is far the most durable and best fastening; but see it does not cut the limb. "A tree label that will not require too much trouble to make it, and that will remain legible for a series of years, has long been a desideratum among fruit-growers. It may be that this is supplied by the simple zinc label written with a common black-lead pencil. Several gentlemen inform us that they have had labels of this kind remain legible for ten or more years, and that though the writing makes but little show when recently done, in time it becomes more distinct. We suppose that the surface of the zinc just under the writing is protected by the black-lead or plumbago of the pencil, and that while the rest of the surface is oxidized by the action of the weather this remains intact ; or it may be that the carbon — the best black-lead is nearly pure carbon — unites in some way with the zinc. The only objection we see to these labels is the ease with which they may be effaced when the writing is fresh, but a few weeks' exposure fixes it. The zinc is cut in the form of an elongated triangle, the point of which, when wrapped around a twig, will hold the label, and at the same time expand as the tree increases in size. Mr. 0. D. Case sends us a specimen of the labels he has found to be most ser- viceable. He uses a tag of zinc, upon which he marks a number, and then with an awl punches holes through the zinc, following the outline of the number, as in the figure ; the roughness raised by the punching is filed off. A number of this kind has the advantage that it can be buried in the ground with cuttings and scions without risk of being obliterated, but 190 ORCHARDS. it of course requires that a record of the numbers and the names they represent should be carefully kept." — American Agriculturist. INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE TREE AND ITS FRUIT. The apple trees of Virginia, and the South generally, as far as the author's knowledge extends, are not infested with insects to any serious extent; but the same cannot be said of the fruit, although, comparatively speaking, our losses in this regard are but small when compared with those of the North. There, and to some extent throughout the West, they have vast armies of insect enemies to contend with, which at the present day make successful fruit growing, in those parts, a more difficult and scientific pursuit than here. If the farmers in this country knew more of entomology, or were better acquainted with the nature and habits of insects (bugs as some term them) that are injurious to vegetation, it would be the means of saving many thousands of dollars to productive industry, and much to themselves individually; for most persons can form no idea of the extent of damage done to orchards by these little depredators. We think we cannot give a better or more recent account of these destructive insects than can be found in the " Re- port" of the Missouri State Entomologist for the year 1868-69, as they are in perfect accordance with our own views on this subject and should be widely disseminated throughout all the fruit growing regions of our country : C ORCHARDS. 191 Apple Borers. — " The apple-tree borer was entirely un- known until Thomas Say described it in the year 1824 ; and, ac- cording to Dr. Fitch, it was not till the year following that its destructive character became known in the vicinity of Albany, N. Y., for the first time. Yet it is a native American insect, and has for ages inhabited our indigenous crabs, from "which trees my friend, Mr. A. Boiler, took numerous specimens in the vicinity of Chicago, ten years ago. It also attacks the Quince, Mountain Ash, Hawthorn, Pear, and Juneberry. Few persons are aware to what an alarming extent this insect is infesting the orchards in St. Louis, Jefferson, and adjacent counties, and for aught I know, throughout the State. A tree becomes unhealthy, and eventually dwindles and dies, without the owner having the least suspicion of the true cause — the gnaw- ing worm within. Even in the orchard of the most worthy Pres- ident of our State Horticultural Society, I found one or more large worms at the base of almost every tree that I examined, notwithstanding he had been of the opinion that there was not a borer of this kind on his place. "At the above figure this borer is represented in its three stages of larva (a), pupa (b), and perfect beetle (c). The beetle may be known by the popular name of the Two-striped Saperda, while its larva is best known by the name of the Round-headed apple tree borer, in contra-distinction to the Flat-headed species, which will be presently treated of. "The average length of the larva, when full grown, is about one inch, and the width of the first segment is not quite one fourth of an inch. Its color is light yellow, with a tawny yellow spot of a more horny consistency on the first segment, which, under a lens, is found to be formed of a mass of light brown spots. The head is chestnut brown, polished and horny, and the jaws are deep black. The pupa is of rather lighter color than the larva, and has transverse rows of minute teeth on the back, and a few at the extremity of the body ; and the perfect beetle has two longitudinal white stripes between three of a light cinnamon brown color. The Two-striped Saperda makes its appearance in the beetle state during the months of May and June, and is seldom seen by any but the entomologist — 192 ORCHARDS." who makes a point of hunting for it — from the fact that it re- mains quietly hidden by day and flies and moves only by night. The female deposits her eggs during the month of June, and mostly at the foot of the tree, and the young worms hatch and commence boring into the bark within a fortnight afterwards. These young worms differ in no essential from the full grown specimens, except in their very minute size; and they invariably live for the first year of their lives on the sap-wood and inner bark, excavating shallow, flat cavities which are found stuffed full of their sawdust-like castings. The hole by which the newly hatched worm penetrated is so very minute that it frequently fills up, though not till a few grains of castings have fallen from it; but the presence of the worms may be generally detected, especially in young trees, from the bark under which they lie becoming darkened, and sufficiently dry and dead to contract and form cracks. Through these cracks some of the castings of the worm generally pro- trude and fall to the ground in a little heap, and this occurs more especially in the Spring of the year, with the rising sap and frequent rains, such castings becoming swollen and augmented in bulk. Some authors have supposed that the worm makes these holes to push out its own excrement, and that it is forced to do this to make room for itself; but, though it may some- times gnaw a hole for this purpose, such an instance has. never come to my knowledge, and that it is necessary to the life of the worm is simply a delusion, for there are hundreds of bo- ring insects which never have recourse to such a procedure, and this one is frequently found below the ground, where it can not possibly thus get rid of its castings. It is currently sup- posed that this borer penetrates into the heart of the wood of the tree after the first year of its existence, whereas the Flat- headed species is supposed to remain for the most part under the bark ; but I find that on these points no rules can be given, for the Flat-headed species also frequently penetrates into the solid heart wood, while the species under consideration is fre- quently found in a full grown state just under the inner bark, or in the sap-wood. The usual course of its life, however, runs as follows : ORCHARDS. 193 "As Winter approaches, the young borer descends as near the ground as its burrow will allow, and doubtless remains in- active till the following Spring. On approach of the second Winter it is about one half grown, and still living on the sap- wood; and it is at this time that these borers do the most damage, for where there are four or five in a single tree they almost completely girdle it. In the course of the next Sum- mer, when it has become about three-fourths grown, it gener- ally commences to cut a cylindrical passage upward into the solid wood, and before having finished its larval growth, it in- variably extends this passage right to the bark, sometimes cutting entirely through a tree to the opposite side from which it commenced ; sometimes turning back at different angles. It then stuffs the upper end of the passage with sawdust-like powder, and the lower part with curly fibres of wood, after which it rests from its labors. It thus finishes its gnawning work during the commencement of the third Winter, but re- mains motionless in the larval state till the following Spring, when it casts off its skin once more and becomes a pupa. After resting three weeks in the pupa state it becomes a beetle, with all its members and parts at first soft and weak. These gradually harden, and in a fortnight more it cuts its way through its sawdust-like castings, and issues from the tree through a perfectly smooth, round hole. Thus it is in the tree a few days less than three years, and not nearly two years as Dr. Fitch suggests. I have come to this conclusion from having frequently found, during the past Summer, worms of three distinct sizes in the same orchard, and Mr. D. B. Weir, of Lacon, Illinois, had previously published the fact,* while a correspondent to the Country .Gentleman, of Albany, N. Y.,f who says he has large experience with this borer, sent to the editors specimens of all three sizes, which he calls 'this year's, two and three old worms.' The individ- ual from which I drew my figures, and which was taken from a crab apple tree, went into the pupa state on the 14th day * Prairie Farmer, Chicago, April 20, 1867. f Country Gentleman, September 12th, 1867. 14 194 ORCHARDS. of March, and became a beetle on the 15th of April; but was doubtless forced into rapid development by being kept through- out the Winter in a warm room. "Remedies. — From this brief sketch of our Round-headed borer, it becomes apparent that plugging the hole to keep him in, is in a par with locking the stable door to keep the horse in after he is stolen ; even supposing there were any philos- ophy in the, plugging system, which there is not. The round, smooth holes are an infallible indication that the borer has left, while the plugging up of any other holes or cracks where the castings are seen, will not affect the intruder. This insect probably had some natural enemies belonging to its own great class, and some of our wood-peckers seek it out from its re- treat and devour it; but its enemies are certainly not suffi- ciently under our control, and to grow healthy apple trees, we have to fight it artificially. Here, again, prevention will be be found better than cure, and a stitch in time will not only save nine, but fully ninety-nine. " Experiments have amply proved that alkaline washes are repulsive to this insect, and that the female beetle will not lay her eggs on trees protected by such washes. Keep the base of every tree in the orchard free from weeds and trash, and apply soap to them during the month of May, and they will not likely be troubled with borers." (This is repulsive to almost all insects, and greatly benefits the tree in other re- spects.) " For this purpose soft soap or common bar soap can be used. The last is, perhaps, the most convenient, and the newer and softer it is the better. This borer confines himself almost entirely to the butt of the tree, though very rarely it may be found in the crotch. It is therefore only necessary, in soaping, to rub over the lower part of the trunk and the crotch ; but it is a very good plan to lay a chunk of the soap in the principal crotch, so that it may be washed down by the rains. In case these precautions have been unheeded, and the borer is already at work, many of them may be killed by cutting through the bark at the upper end of their burrows, and gradually pouring hot Water into the cuts so that it will soak through the castings and penetrate to the insect. But ORCHARDS. 195 even where the soap preventive is used in the month of May it- is always advisable to examine the trees in the Fall, at which time the young worms that hatched through the Sum- mer may be generally detected, and easily cut out without in- jury to the tree. Particular attention should also be paid to any tree that has been injured or sun-scalded, as such trees are most liable to be attacked. Mr, Wier who has had con- siderable experience with this insect, thus describes his method of doing this work, in the article already alluded to : "I will suppose I have a young orchard of any number of trees, say a thousand, the second season after planting, about the last of July or during the first half of August, with a common hoe, I take all the weeds and other trash, and about an inch of soil, from the crown of the trees ; then, any time from the first to the middle of September, with a pocket- knife, examine carefully the stem of each tree ; the borer can readily be found by the pefuse thrown out of the hole made on entering — this refuse of a borer, of the same season's growth, will be about the size of a pea, and being of a glutin- ous nature, sticks around the mouth of the hole, and can readily be seen ; older ones throw out coarser chips that fall to the ground. (As already shown, these chips are not thrown out by the borer, but are forced out by the swelling.) When he is found, take the knife and cut him out. If an orchard is carefully examined in this way each year, there need be but very few, if any, borers missed ; and, as they are more easily found the second Fall of their growth, and can have done but little damage up to that time, we could never receive any serious injury from them. Now, it is no great task to do this ; a man will clear the litter and soil from around a thou- sand trees in a day, and take the borers out in another day. I will agree to do both jobs carefully in one day's time. A great undertaking, is it not?" He also has observed that some Varieties of the apple tree have a greater immunity from the attacks of this borer than have others ; on account of the young larva, when it is first hatched, being drowned out by the sap, but he does not men- tion any particular varieties other than those that are the "more vigorous and late growing." 196 ORCHARDS. THE FLAT-HEADED APPLE TREE BORER. Chrysobothris femorata, Fabr. [Coleoptera, Buprestidas.] [Fig. 15.] [Fig. 16.] This borer, which is repre- sented in the larva state at figure 15, may at once be re- cognized by its anterior end being enormously enlarged and flattened. It is paler than the preceding, and makes an en- tirely different burrow. In consequence of its immensely broad and flattened head, it bores a hole of an oval shape and twice as wide as high. It never acquires much more than half the size of the . other species, and is almost always found with its tail curled completely round towards the head. It lives but one year in the tree and produces the beetle, represented at figure 16, which is of a greenish black color, with brassy lines and spots above, the under side ap- pearing like burnished copper. This beetle flies by day in- stead of by night, and may often be found on different trees basking in the sunshine. It attacks not only the apple, but the soft maple, oak and peach, and is said to attack a variety of other forest trees ; though, since the larva of the family (Buprestid^e) to which it belongs all bear a striking resem- blance to each other, it is possible that this particular species has been accused of more than it deserves. It is, however, but far too common in the Valley of the Mississippi, and along the Iron Mountain and Pacific rail- road it is even more common than the preceding species. Mr. G. Pauls, of Eureka, informs me that it has killed fifty trees for him, and Mr. Cataw, and many others in that neighbor- hood have suffered from it in like manner. " Remedies. — Dr. Fieth found that this borer was attacked by the larva of some parasitic fly, belonging probably to the Chalcis family, but it is greatly to be feared that this parasite is as yet unknown in the West. At all events, this flat-headed fellow is far more common with us than with our Eastern ORCHARDS. 197 brethren. As this beetle makes its appearance during the months of May and June, and as the eggs deposited on the trunk of the tree, as with the preceding species, the same method of cutting them out or scalding them can be applied in the one case as in the other; while as the soap preventive is found to be equally effectual with this species as with the other. It must, however, be applied more generally over the tree, as they attack all parts of the trunk, and even the larger limbs. THE CODLING MOTH OR APPLE WORM. ( Corpocapsa pomonella — Linn.) " The apple worm I find to be quite common all over the State, as it is in almost all parts of the civilized world where apples are grown. Dr. Trimble has devoted page after page to the consideration of this little pest, and yet its whole history, and the means of preventing its insidious work, may be given in a very few lines. It was originally a denisen of the Old World, but was introduced into this country about the beginning of the present century. The following figure rep- resents it in all its states, and gives, at a glance, its natural history : a represents a section of an apple which has been attacked by the worm, showing the burro wings and channel of exit to the left ; b, the point at which the young worm entered; e, full grown worm ; h, its head and first segment magni- fied ; i, the cocoon which it spins; d, the chrysalis to which it changes; /, the moth which escapes from the chrysalis, as it appears when at rest ; g, the same with wings ex- panded. The worm when young is whitish, with 198. ORCHARDS. usually an entirely black head, and a black shield on the top of the first segment. When full grown it acquires a flesh-colored or pinkish tint, especially on the back; and the head and top of the first segment become more brown, being usually marked as at figure 24, h. It is sparsely cov- ered with very minute hairs which take their rise from minute elevated points, of which there are eight on each segment. The cocoon is invariably of a pure white on the inside, but is disguised on the outside by being covered with minute frag- ments of whatever substance the worm spins to. The chrys- alis is yellowish brown, with rows of minute teeth on its back,, by the aid of which it is enabled to partly push itself out of its cocoon, when its time to issue as a moth arrives. The moth is a most beautiful object; yet, as has been well remarked by an anonymous writer,* frcm its habits not being known, it is seldom seen in this state, and the apple grower, as a rule, 'knows no more than the man in the moon to what cause he is indebted for the basketfuls of worm-eaten windfalls in the stillest weather.' Its fore wings are marked with alternate, irregular, transverse, wavy streaks of ash-gray and brown, and have on the inner hind angle a large tawny brown spot, with streaks of bright bronze color or gold. The apple is, so to speak, our democratic fruit, and while stone fruit is grown but in certain regions, this is cultivated all over the country. The Codling moth is, then, even more injurious than the Curculio. Unlike the Curculio, it is mostly two-brooded, the second brood of worms hybernating in the larval state, enclosed in their snug little silken houses, and ensconced under some fragment of bark or other shelter. The same temperature which causes our apple trees to burst their beauteous blossoms, releases the Codling moth from its pupal tomb, and though, its wings are at first damp with the imprint of the great stereotyping establishment of the Almighty, they soon dry and expand under the genial Spring-day sun, and enable each to seek its companion. The moths soon pair, and the female flits from blossom to blossom, deftly depositing * Entomological Magazine, London, Vol. I, p. 1, 144. ORCHARDS. 199 in the calyx of each a tiny yellow egg. As the fruit matures, the worm develops. In thirty- three days, under favorable circumstances, it has become full-fed; when, leaving the apple, it spins up in some crevice, changes to a chrysalis in three days, and issues two weeks afterwards as a moth, ready to deposit again, though not always in the favorite calyx this time, as I have found the young worm frequently entering from the side of the apple. Thus the young brood of Codling moths appear at the same time as the young curculios, the difference being that instead of living on in the Fall and Winter, as do the latter, they deposit their eggs and die, it being the progeny from these eggs which continues the race the ensuing year. Though two apples, side by side, may, the one be maturing a Curculio, the other a Codling moth, the larva of the latter can always be distinguished from the former by having six horny legs near the head, eight fleshy legs in the middle of the body, and two at the caudal extremity, while the curculio larva has not the first trace of either. In latitude 38° the moths make their appearance about the first of May, and the first worms begin to leave the apples from the 5th to the 10th of June, and become moths again by the fore part of July. While some of the first worms are leaving the apples, others are but just hatched from later de- posited eggs, and thus the two broods run into each other ; but the second brood of worms (the progeny of the moths which hatched out after the first of July) invariably passes the Winter in the worm or larval state, either within the ap- ple after it is plucked, or within the cocoon. I have had them spin up as early as the latter part of August, and at different dates subsequently till the middle of November, and in every instance, whether they spun up early or late in the year, they remained in the larval state until the middle of April, when they all changed to chrysalides within a few days of each other. Furthermore, they not only remain in the larval state, but in many instances where I have had them in a warm room, they have been active throughout the Winter, and would always fasten up cuts made in their cocoons, even when the operation was performed five and six times on the 200 ORCHARDS. same individual. These active worms perfect themselves in the Spring as well as those which had not been disturbed; and this fact would indicate that the torpid or dormant state, so called, is not essential to the well being or the prolongation of the life of some insects. Though the Codling moth prefers the apple to the pear, it nevertheless breeds freely in the latter fruit, and I have myself raised the moth from the pear-boring larva, and the fact was recorded many years' ago by the German entomolo- gist, Kollar. It also inhabits the fruit of the crab-apple and quince, and is not even confined to pip fruit, for Dr. T. C. Hilyard, of St. Louis, bred a specimen, now in my cabinet, from the sweetish pulp of a species of screw-bean which grows in pods, and which was obtained from the Rocky Mountains, while Mr. Wm. Saunders, of London, Ontario, Canada, has also found it attacking the plum in his vicinity.* This is entirely a new trait in the history of our Codling moth, and is another evidence of the manner in which certain individuals of a species may branch off from the old beaten track of their ancestors. This change of food sometimes produces a change in the insects themselves, and it would not be at all surprising if this plum-feeding sect of the codling moth should in time show variations from the normal pip-fruit feeding type. As Mr. Saunders is a well known entomolo- gist, it is riot likely that he has been mistaken in the identifi- cation of the species, for the only other worm of this charac- ter which is well known to attack the plum in America, is the larva of Mr. Walsh's plum moth (semasia prunivora), which is a very much smaller insect than the Codling moth. Mr. Saunders says that his plum crop suffered considerably from this cause, and that the operation appeared to be per- formed by the second brood, the plums falling much later than those stung by the curculio — remaining, in fact, on the tree till nearly ripe. I do not think that this insect has yet acquired an appetite for the plum in the States. As a gene- * Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Arts, of the Pro- vince of Ontario, for the year 1868. ORCHARDS. 201 ral rule, there is but one worm in each apple, but two are sometimes found in one and the same fruit. Remedies. — Though with some varieties of the apple the fruit remains on the tree till after the worm has left it, yet by far the greater portion of the infested fruit falls prema- turely with the worm to the ground; hence much can be done towards diminishing the numbers of this little pest by picking up and destroying the fallen fruit as soon as it touches the ground. For this purpose hogs will again be found quite valuable, when circumstances will allow of their being turned into the orchard. Abundant testimony might be given to prove this, but I make room only for the follow- ing from Mr. Suel Foster, of Muscatine, Iowa, whom I know to be abundantly capable of forming a proper judgment: "I have twenty-four acres of my orchards seeded to clover, and last year I turned the hogs in. I now observe that where the hogs ran last year the apples have not one-fourth the worms that they have on other trees. I this year turned the hogs into my oldest (home) orchard.* "Mr. Huron Burt, o f Williamsburg, Mr. F. R. Allen, of Allenton, and Mr. Carnum, of Sulphur Springs, have also, each of them, testified to me as to the good effects obtained from allowing hogs to run on their orchards. "There is, however, a more infallible remedy, and one which is always practicable. It is that of entrapping the worms. This can be done by hanging an old cloth in the crotches of the tree, or by what is known as Dr. Trimble's hay-band system, which consists of twisting a hay-band twice or thrice around the trunk of the tree. To make this sys- tem perfectly effectual, I lay down the following rules : "1st. The hay-band should be placed around the tree by the first of June (in Missouri), and kept on till every apple is off the tree; 2d. It should be pushed up or down, and the worms and chrysalides crushed that are under it, every week, or at the very latest, every two weeks; 3d. The trunk of the tree should be kept free from old rough bark, so as to give the worms no other places of shelter ; and 4th, the ground itself * Transactions Illinois State Horticultural Society, 1867, page 213. 202 ORCHARDS. should be kept clean from weeds and rubbish." (By follow- ing this advice the benefits of mulching must be lost. It were better, however, to lose this advantage than to have much premature and wrong fruit.) "But as already stated on a previous page, many of the worms of the second brood still remain in the apples even after they are gathered for market. These wormy apples are barreled up with the sound ones and stored away in the cellar or in the barn— from them the worms continue to issue, and they generally find plenty of convenient corners about the barrels in which to form their cocoons. Hundreds of these cocoons may sometimes be found around a single barrel, and it therefore becomes obvious that, no matter how thoroughly the hay-band had been carried during the Summer, there would yet remain a sufficiency in such situations to abun- dantly continue the species another year. And when we consider that every female moth which escapes in the Spring lays from two to three hundred eggs, and thus spoils so many apples, the practical importance of thoroughly examining, in the spring of the year, all barrels or other vessels in which apples have been stored becomes apparent. It should, there- fore, also be made a rule to destroy all the cocoons which are to be found on such barrels or vessels either by burning them up or by immersing them in scalding-hot water. "Now there is nothing in these rules but can be performed at little trouble and no expense. Their execution must hence- forth be considered a part of apple-growing. Let every apple- grower in Missouri (and throughout the country) carry them out strictly, and see that his neighbors do likewise, and fine, smooth, unblemished fruit will be your reward. "The philosophy of the hay-band system is simply that the worms, in quitting the fruit, whether while it is on the tree or on the ground, in their search for a cozy nook, in which to spin up, find the shelter given by the hay -band just the thing, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred they will accept the lure, if no other more enticing be in the way. I have thoroughly tested this remedy the past Summer, and have found it far more effectual than I had anticipated wherever ORCHARDS. 203 the above rules were recognized. Under two hay-bands which were kept around a single old isolated tree through the months of June, July and August, I found every week of the two last months an average of fifty cocoons. "I have often smiled in my journeyings through the State to see the grin of incredulity spread over the face of some unsophisticated farmer as I recounted the natural history of this codling moth, and urged the application of the hay-band. Magic spell or fairy tale could not more thoroughly have astounded some of them than the unmasking of this tiny enemy and the revealing of the proper remedy. "The burning of fires has been recommended, under the supposition that the moths will fly into them and get de- stroyed. I have no faith whatever in the process, so far as it regards this particular species; for though it is true that the moths fly and deposit their eggs in the evening, I do not believe they are attracted to the light as are some others, for I have never been able thus to attract any myself." WEIR'S CODLING MOTH TRAP. The more modern and better remedy is "Weir's Trap," made of three narrow boards or old shingles, movable on a centre screw, and fastened to the trunk of the tree. The American Pomological Association, during its session at Richmond in 1871, appointed a committee composed of three members — Charles Downing, Mark Miller and P. T. Quinn. The committee reported that on examination Weir's Codling Moth Trap was found efficient in trapping this most destruc- tive insect. CLIMBING CUT WORMS. Orchardists in Spring frequently find the hearts of their fruit buds — on young trees especially — entirely eaten out and destroyed, and "this circumstance is attributed to various causes, winged insects, beetles or slugs, or even to late frosts, unsuitable climate, etc. Never have cut-worms received the blame, all of which should be ascribed to them, for the game hold of many on a sandy soil in early Spring is the fruit-tree, 204 ORCHARDS. and especially the dwarf apple or pear. This is a very im- portant fact to fruit-raisers, whose orchards or gardens are infested by these stealthy, naked caterpillars, who do all their mischief under cover of night, which accounts for their never having been noticed in their work of destruction in former years. After having performed their nightly work, they de- scend and take quarters just under the surface of the ground near the foot of the tree. They seldom descend the tree as they ascend it, by crawling, and it is quite interesting to watch one at early morn when it has become full fed, and the tender skin seemed ready to burst from repletion, and see it prepare by a certain twist of the body for the fall. This fact also accounts for trees on hard, tenacious soil being compara- tively exempt from them, as their instinct doubtless serves them a good turn either in preventing them from ascending or by leading the parent moth to deposit her eggs by prefer- ence on a light soil. Mr. J. W. Cochran, of Calumet, Illinois, says: " They destroy low-branched fruit trees of all kinds, except the peach, feeding on the fruit buds first, the wood buds as a second choice, and preferring them to all other things, tender grape buds and shoots (to which they are also partial) not excepted — the miller always preferring to lay her eggs near the hill or mound over the roots of the trees in the orchard; and if, as is many times the case, the trees have a spring- dressing of lime or ashes with the view of preventing the May beetles' operations, this will be selected with unerring instinct by the miller, thus giving her larva a fine warm bed to cover themselves up in during the day from the observa- tions of their enemies. They will leave potatoes, peas and all other young green things for the buds of the apple and pear. The long naked young trees of the orchard are almost exempt from their voracious attacks, but I have found them about midnight, of a dark and damp night, well up in the limbs of these." Mr. John Townley, of Marquet county, Miss., in the Practical Entomologist, sa^s: "On a warm dewy night, about the middle of May, I took a lamp and, going into the ORCHARDS. 205 orchard, suddenly jarred several of the trees, when some of these worms came tumbling to the ground. The evidence against them would have been more conclusive, if I had searched the branches and found them there and at work. That, however, I omitted to' do. I have had fruit trees planted here sixteen years, bu; never had the buds destroyed so as to attract my attention before the last two years. (When these cut worms have free and full pasture of herbaceous plants, it is believed they will not trouble themselves to mount the fruit trees, but in the absence of such food the buds of trees are appropriated with avidity.) The habit of the dwarf apple and pear, however, just suits their nature, and much of the complaint of those people who cannot make trees thrive on a sandy soil, has its source and foundation here, though apparently utterly unknown to the orchardist." Remedy. — "There is no known remedy; salt has no pro- perties repulsive to them — they burrow in it equally as quick as in lime or ashes. Tobacco, soap and other diluted washes do not even provoke them; but a tin tube six inches in length, opened on one side and closed around the base of the tree, fitting close and entering at the lower end an inch into the earth, is what the lawyers would term an effectual estoppel to farther proceedings." There is no complaint of this pest in Virginia, or, at least, in the hilly or mountainous regions of the State. If it ex- ists, to any extent, in the more level or sandy portions of the Atlantic States, we have not heard of it. THE BARK LICE OF THE APPLE TREE. (Homoptera Coccidte.) There are two spe- cies of bark lice that attack the apple tree in the United States, which I will briefly describe. The first, which is a native North American insect, is now known as Harris' 206 ORCHARDS. bark louse (Aspidiotus JTarrisii, Walsh). The color of the scale is dirty white, and its form is irregular, being usually egg-shaped ; but however variable its outline, it is always quite flat, and causes the infested trees to wear the appear- ance of figure 1, while the minute eggs which are found un- der it in Winter time are invariably blood-red or lake-red. This species has scarcely ever been known to increase suffi- ciently to do material damage, for the reason doubtless that there have, hitherto, always been natural enemies and para- sites enough to keep it in due bounds. The second species, which is known as the oyster-shell bark louse (Aspidiotus conchiformis, Gmelin), is by no means harmless, however, for it is one of the most pernicious and destructive insects which the apple-grower in the Northern States has to contend with. This species presents the appear- ance of figure 2, and may always be distinguished from the former, by having a very uniform muscle-shaped scale of an ash-gray color (the identical color of the bark), and by these scales containing, in the Winter time, not red - , but pure white eggs. " There is scarcely an apple orchard in North Illinois, in Iowa, or in Wisconsin, that has not suffered more or less from its attacks, and many a one has been slowly bled to death by this tiny sap-sucker. It was introduced into the Eastern States more than twen- ty years ago from Eu- rope, and had already reached as far west as Wisconsin in 1840 from the districts bordering oh Lake Michigan. It occurs at the present time in Minnesota and Iowa, but whether or not it extends westward beyond the Missouri river, there are no data to show. "Remedies. — Small trees can be easily managed, as the terminal twigs can be reached and rubbed with strong soap water or syringed with the same. But alkaline washes will have little effect unless applied about the time the eggs are hatching, and the young lice are crawling over the limbs, which happens during the last of May or early in June. ORCHARDS. 207 With regard to "washes, one pound of sal soda to one gallon of water will have a very good effect. Another remedy is to mix one part of soft soap "with four parts of water and a lit- tle fresh slacked lime Another — a solution of one pound of potash to two gallons of water, applied when the lice begin to crawl about the branches. A lye of wood ashes is also re- commended for the same purpose." We have never seen apple trees much injured by these in- sects, nor have we ever heard of their depredations to any extent in the South. THE CANKER WORM. (Anisopteria pometaria, of Harris.) In some parts of the country, especially at the North and on the seacoast, this insect is very destructive to the apple tree by destroying the blossoms and foliage, and even the very young and tender fruit. They are seldom troublesome in the Piedmont region of Virginia or in the corresponding portions of Maryland and North Carolina. They may be seen, how- ever, on the isolated limbs of some trees, the leaves of which are completely riddled and devoured by them, and, when so employed they may be easily destroyed by cutting off the twigs. The Dutch Elm, however, in our latitude suffers greatly by this depredator. They completely desolate the trees and render them as naked as at midwinter — not one tree or branch escapes them — and during the hottest part of the Summer these handsome trees are entirely useless as shade trees. A second crop of leaves, however, begin to appear about the 1st of September, and become about half grown before the early frost takes them. This second crop of leaves is not molested, it being too late for the operations of this insect. The Canker worm usually rises out of the ground very early in the Spring, chiefly in March, as soon as the ground is free from frost. The females having no wings, climb slowly up the' trunks of the trees, while the winged males hover about 208 ORCHARDS. to pair with them. Very soon after this, if we examine the trees, we shall see the eggs, of which every female lays some sixty or a hundred, glued over, closely arranged in rows and placed in the forks and branches and among the young twigs. About the 20th of May and up to the 1st of June, these eggs are hatched and the canker worms, dusky brown, or ash- colored, with a yellow stripe, make their appearance and com- mence preying upon the foliage. When they are abundant they make rapid progress, and in places where the colony is firmly established, they will sometimes strip an orchard in a few days, making it appear as if a fire had passed over it. After feeding about four weeks, they descend into the ground three or four inches, where they remain in a chrysalis state to emerge again the next season. As the female is not provided with wings they do not spread very rapidly from one place to another; but when their food becomes scarce they travel in all directions, and to a considerable distance, frequently en- tering houses, as in case of the elm worms, making themselves very troublesome and pestilent. Remedies. — The common mode of protecting apple trees is to surround the trunk with a belt or bandage of canvass three or four inches wide which is then thickly smeared with tar. A little train oil is sometimes mixed with it to prevent it from becoming hard. The better plan to protect the trees from crawling insects of this nature is to provide each tree with a smooth piece of tin three or four inches wide, as has been recommended in the case of some other insects. These tin belts should fit well around the trunk and extend into the ground some two inches, if that is practicable, if not, the space between the lower end of tin and the tree should be kept perfectly tight with clay or lime and sand mortar. It is believed that trees thus treated will be securely protected from the ravages of this as well as other climbing insects. There are various other remedies for this destructive worm, but the above is deemed sufficient. Young trees, with smooth bark, if well soaped once or twice in Spring and Fall, are well pro- tected from all insects that crawl up the trunk of trees. ORCHARDS. 209 AMERICAN TENT CATERPILLAR (Clisiocampa Americana.) This well known insect is so common that a description of it is unnecessary. It is simply called the eater-pillar of the orchards. Its habits and mode of operation are so well known that no descriptive account is worth a place here. Although a great pestilence in an apple orchard, they are more easily managed than any other insects injurious to the apple tree or its fruit. If, however, they are suffered to increase unmo- lested they become a formidable enemy. Remedies. — -Various simple modes have been found suffi- cient for the destruction of these greedy traveling fellows. On small trees they may be stripped off with the hand and crushed with the foot. For large trees, use a pole with a sponge attached to the end dipped in spirits of ammonia or kerosene, or use a pole with a brush or cloth attached to the end, and work it about in the nests, or twist them out with the end of the pole. They are always at home up to 9 o'clock, and should be operated upon previous to that time. FRUIT DRYING HOUSE. The business of drying fruit for market is a very profitable one, and we wonder that so few people engage in it. It is also very desirable to provide a full supply for family use. With the improved apple-peelers and parers and peach-peelers, and a drying-house well arranged, it is light, nice work for the members of the family who cannot and are not expected to engage in out-door farm work — such can be employed to great advantage in iruit time, having the above mentioned facilities furnished them. Description of a Drying House used in the Valley of Virginia.—" The Dry house at Detrick's is of brick, one brick thick, on a stone foundation a foot high. The brick part is four feet ten inches high, seven feet one inch square from out to out, with a door in one side two feet three inches wide, and as high as the house will admit. In each end there 210 ORCHARDS. are three rows of frames, with two openings each, large enough to admit drawers two feet nine inches wide and three inches deep, making six drawers at each end. These drawers are made with slats in the bottom an inch wide and one sixteenth of an inch apart. On the inside of the house there are three pieces of laths three inches wide by one inch thick, built into the wall on each end as far as the door will admit, so as to support the inner end of the drawers ; they are just opposite the lower edge of the frames that hold the drawers ; there are also strips that run from the frames to the laths to hold the drawer and guide it as it runs in. Each drawer has two knobs to draw it out with. The top frame that holds the drawer is two rows of brick from the top and there is one row of brick between the frames. On the top of the brick work is a frame and tight floor, and on the floor is built a brick chimney for stove-pipe. Over all is a good shingle roof put on as other houses (where slate is convenient it would be better), and the gables weatherboarded up. It has a good stove in the centre of the house." The above is a description of Mr. Detriek's house ; but it is probably better that the dry house be made of timber, and made larger, where there is much fruit. It has been found that the brick ones are rather damper than the wood, and do not dry fruit quite so well. Besides being larger, there should be more space between the drawers, so that the hot air can have free access. From what we know of dry houses we think the following simple and cheap house would be as good as the best : Take four posts 4 or 6 inches square, and plank them to- gether as if you were making a goods box, using dry inch plank and making the joints tight. We would make it 12 feet by 10, and six feet high in front, and five behind — cover it tight by laying the plank close, and break the joints with narrow plank on top. Then bore holes in the sides of the house and put poles across to hold the dryers, which may be those commonly used to dry in the sun, making three or four tier of poles on each side of the stove. The door should be made in the high side and made tight. A house of this de- ORCHARDS. 211 scription will cost but little, and any coarse carpenter can make it. FRUIT LADDERS. The farmer can generally have ladders very suitable for fruit gathering made at home, and unless he has facilities for purchasing from the manufacturer or his agents he had better do so. They are generally made of white or yellow pine, sound and well seasoned. They are sometimes made of hickory, in which case, in consequence of the stiffness and strength of the timber the side pieces may be comparatively small, and the ladders made very portable. The proper size of the timbers or scantlings used for this purpose varies according to the strength of the material used and the different lengths re- quired. For a 10 or 12 feet ladder, made of pine or poplar, 3 or 3 Jx2 inches would be about right ; 6 or 8 feet ladders . less in proportion, and longer ones would require more strength. The proper distance of the rounds from each other should be eighteen inches; they should be made of well seasoned wood, tightly fitted into one inch holes, and no sharp edges should be left on any of the parts, as they would cut or bruise the tender bark of the branches of the trees. Folding ladders are very portable and convenient. Fruit ladders may be obtained at the agricultural ware- houses of H. M. Smith & Co., Allison & Addison, and at other establishments in Richmond, Va., and at various other places. Also, good apple peelers, and pavers and peelers, and peach peelers. FRUIT PICKERS. This useful implement may also be obtained at the agricul- tural establishment of H. M. Smith & Co., Richmond, and doubtless at other places in the South, as well as at the North. The author has no experience in the use of this labor-saving invention, but an eminent nurseryman and orchardist informs him that it is astonishing with what ease and rapidity fruits may be gathered when the operator has the advantage of a 212 ORCHARDS. little practice. Every fruit grower should provide himself with one or more of these implements. MANUFACTURE OF CIDER. Cider, or Cyder, a sharp, cool, vinous beverage made by fermenting the juice of apples. Some connoisseurs in this liquor are of opinion, that the juice of the more delicate table fruit is generally more cordial and pleasant than that of the more harsh kinds ; though others assert the latter to be in many respects preferable. In Virginia, very fine cider is made late in the Fall, with common seedling apples of various qualities, from those most sour and harsh, to those that are sweet and tender. Good cider is also made during the Sum- mer from early seedling varieties. The best keeping cider, and that of the very best quality, is manufactured at the ap- proach of Winter from varieties recommended in this work for that purpose. There have been numerous receipts published to make cider, some of which have occasioned considerable losses. A few general, and important rules will be given, for insuring good cider, and afterwards some particular directions founded on 1 experience. 1st. The first and indispensable requisite for making good cider, is to choose perfectly ripe and sound fruit, carefully picked and free from trash, leaves and twigs. Farmers, in general, are very inattentive to these points, but it is utterly impossible to make good cider unless they are attended to. 2d. The apples ought to be hand-picked, or there should be a mulching of straw or soft litter placed under the trees when they are shaken. When they fall on the ground they become bruised, and, as frequently happens, that they remain some time before pressing, the apples are apt to communicate a bad taste to the liquor from the bruised parts. 3d After having sweated, and before being ground ? the apples should be wiped, in order to remove a clammy mois- ture which covers them, and which, if permitted to remain, would impoverish the cider. This is a little tedious, but it will pV?" well. ORCHARDS. 213 4th. The practice of pressing the pomace in hair cloths is certainly much preferable to the common mode in this coun- try of enclosing it in bands of straw, or lining the press crib with it; because the straw, when heated in the mow or stack, gives the cider a bad taste. The improved cider mills and presses of the present day, however, do not require straw, but the pomace is thrown into the crib, the slats of which are placed so close as not to allow the pomace to escape with the cider. 5th. After cider has run from the press it should be strained through hair or fine wire seives into a large open vat or hogs- head, which will contain a whole making, or as much as can be pressed in one day. When cider has remained in this vat or hogshead a day, or sometimes more or less, according to the ripeness of the fruit of which it has been made, and the state of the weather, the pomace or grosser parts of the pulp, will rise to the top, and in a few hours, or after a day or two at farthest, will grow very thick, and when little white bub- bles break through it, draw it off through a faucet hole within three inches of the bottom, that the lees may quietly remain behind. This operation is of great importance, as the sink- ing of the feculent matter would greatly injure the liquor. 6th. On drawing off the cider from the vat, it must be put into clean casks and closely watched, to prevent the ferment- ation; when, therefore, white bubbles, as mentioned above, are perceived at the bung-hole, rack it again ; immediately after which it will probably not ferment until March, when it must be racked off as before — if possible, in clear weather. 7th. It is of great consequence to prevent the escape of the carbonic acid, or fixed air, from cider, as on this principle all its briskness depends. To effect this, various expedients have been contrived. In the State of Connecticut, where much cider is made, it is a common practice to pour a tumbler of olive oil in the bung hole of every cask. Upon the same principle we have lately heard of a man who boasted that he had drunk brisk beer out of the same cask for five years; and that his secret was to cover the surface of the liquor with olive oil. Cider should be racked as seldom as possible, for 214 ORCHARDS. a portion of its fixed air and briskness is lost in the opera- tion. To prevent a succeeding fermentation, put in a handful of powdered clay, and to preserve it, add one quart of apple brandy to each barrel; every cask must be filled up and closely bunged. 8th. When care has been taken to prevent the precipitation of the feculent matter which rises in the cider, good liquor will generally fine without artificial means, but sometimes it is necessary to fine after the first racking. This may be done effectually in the following way: For a barrel, cut one ounce of isinglass fine, put it into a pint of water, stir it frequently, and make a thick jelly. Dilute this with cider, strain and mix it well with the liquor in the cask, by means of a long, clean stick. The best apples for cider are those that in growing were exposed to the sun and air, and young orchards generally produce the best cider. The Harrison, and some other fine cider apples make about one barrel to every ten bushels of sound apples. In all the operations of cider making, strict cleanliness and neatness should be observed, and no water should be used under any circumstances. The first and last running of the cheese is not so good as the middle. When pressed out, put in a cool, dry cellar before the vinous fermentation takes place — keep the barrels well filled up with the same liquor, reserved for that purpose, so that the froth and groser parts may work off. Then keep it as closely bunged as it will bear, without danger of bursting the cask, until it is necessary to rack off. If the casks are in a cool, airy cellar, the fermentation will cease in a day or two, and this state may be known by the liquor becoming clear and bright; by the cessation of the discharge of fixed air; and by the thick crust which has col- lected on the surface. When that is the case no bunging is necessary until after it is racked off, which must be done when- ever the cider is in the situation just described, to prevent the fermentation going too far. It may now be bunged up tight and allowed to stand until Spring; but first, to keep down ORCHARDS. 215 any farther fermentation, put in about a gill of finely pow- dered charcoal to every barrel. If, upon examination, a scum collects on the surface, and the fermentation seems inclined to proceed farther, it must be immediately racked again. The vent spile may now be driven in tight; but examined occasionally. About the 1st of March a final racking should take place, and the dissolved isinglass, as has already been recommended, should be put in each cask, which will render it perfectly clear. It may be bottled now, or any time before the blossoming of the apple, or afterwards, even late in May. When bottling, fill the bottles within an inch of the bottom of the cork, and allow the bottles to stand an hour before the corks are driven in. They should then be sealed, and kept in a cool, dry cellar, with clean, dry sand up to their necks, or laid on their sides in boxes with sand between each layer. A friend directs the cider to be bottled in July ; to fill the bottles within two inches of the top, letting them stand twelve hours open before corking. Use strong porter bottles, and the best velvet corks. The bottling should always be done in clear weather. Cider is a cooling, pleasant, and wholesome liquor during the heat of Summer, and at any time, if it has been prepared without foreign ingredients, and properly fermented. On the contrary, when it is too new, or tart, or has, perhaps, been kept in leaden vessels, it cannot be recommended as a salu- brious beverage ; because that poisonous metal is easily dis- solved by acid. Good cider is the wine of America.* The domestic manufacture of cider is worse managed than any in our country ; perhaps the better way to correct errors is to point out some of the principal ones, and then to recom- mend better plans — and we are continuing this subject with these objects in view. Apples are commonly collected when wet, and thrown in a heap, exposed to the sun and rain, until a sourness pervades * Dr. H. Teter, an eminent physician, of Ohio, remarks : " Cider made of ripe apples, properly fermented, and racked or purified, is of all fermented liquors the most inno- cent and the best." But too little pains is taken with cider. It may be made, by care and proper management, as fine flavored and as clear as wine. 216 ORCHARDS. the whole mass, then ground, and for want of a trough or other vessels sufficient to hold a cheese at a time, the pomace is put in the press as fast as ground ; and a large cheese is made, which requires so much time to finish and press off, that a fermentation commences before all the juice is out; and certain it i$ that a small quantity of the juice pressed out after fermentation comes on, will spoil the product of a whole cheese, if mixed therewith. When either of the above errors •will spoil cider, we need not wonder at the effect of a combi- nation of the whole, as frequently happens. An experienced cider maker of New Jersey says: "As I have often exported cider to the West Indies, and to Europe, and also sold it to others for the same purpose, without even hearing of any spoiling; and as it is my wish to make the productions of our country as useful as possible, I will give an account of my method of making this valuable liquor. "I gather the apples when dry, put them on a floor under cover, and have a trough large enough to hold a cheese at once, and when the weather is warm, grind them late in the evening, spreading the pomace over the trough to air it, as the cider will thereby be much improved and enriched, and a fine amber color in it produced; and here it may be remarked, that the longer a cheese lies after being ground, before press- ing, the better for the cider, provided it escapes fermentation, until the pressing is completed. The following experiment will render this evident. . . . Bruise a tart apple on one side, and let it lie until brown; then taste the juice of each part, and it will be found, that the juice of the bruised part is sweet' and rich ■; so if sweet and tart apples are ground to- gether, and put immediately on the press, the liquor which they produce will have the taste of both kinds of fruit ; but if permitted to lie until the pomace becomes brown, the cider will be greatly improved. " I take care to put cider in clean, sweet casks, and the only way to effect this is to rinse or scald them well as soon as the cider is out, and not to permit them to stand with the lees, which will certainly cause them to become sour, musty, or to smell. When my casks are filled, I place them in the ORCHARDS. 217 shade, exposed to northern air; and when fermentation takes place, I fill them up once or more (with a portion of the same liquor reserved) to cause as much of the feculent matter as possible to discharge from the bung; when a clear white froth comes out, I put in the bung somewhat loosely or drive it a little tight and bore a hole in it, and put in a spile, thereby check- ing fermentation gradually. After this has subsided, I take the first opportunity of clear, cool weather, and rack it off into clean casks, which I prepare thus : When I have drawn cider out of a cask in which it has fermented, I rinse it with cold water, and put in two or three quarts of fine gravel, and three or four gallons of water ; the cask is then well shaken or rolled to scour off the sediment always adhering to the cask, and which, if not removed, will act as a ferment to the liquor when returned to the cask, and spoil or greatly injure the liquor. "After scouring the cask, I again rinse them, and I find advantage from burning a match of sulphur suspended in the cask by a wire, after putting in two or three buckets of cider. A convenient way to perform this process is to have a long, tapering bung, so that between the two ends it will fit any hole ; to the small end of this bung drive a wire with a crooked end to hold the match. If the cider stands a week or more after racking, previous to being put away in the cellar, I rack it again, rinsing the casks, but not with gravel, and remove them to the cellar (which should be as dry as possible). The late made cider, I put in the cellar immediately after or before the first racking, according as the weather may happen to be. The cider intended to be kept till Summer, I rack in cool, clear weather, in the latter part of February or beginning of March; the casks must be kept full, and bunged as tight as possible." The writer of the above fines his cider with isinglass jelly as has already been directed, but in case the liquor should not fine in ten days, he directs to rack it again, and repeat the fining as before, but says it is best to rack it, whether fine or not, in ten or twelve days, lest the sediment should rise, which often happens. He also adds: "The foregoing operation 218 ORCHARDS. should be performed previously to the apples being in bloom, but I have succeeded best in the Winter, during steady, cool wheather. I have likewise had good success hi fining cider directly from the press ; when this is done, I set the casks with one head out, but covered, put in taps, and let them re- main in a cool place, properly fixed for drawing. When the fermentation ceases, and the scum begins to crack, I take it off carefully with the skimmer, and draw it from the sediment. If not sufficiently fine before the middle of Winter, I fine it as above." We entirely agree with the writer in his views and process in cider making, and will add that our experience with regard to keeping the pomace some hours before pressing is, that it is highly beneficial to the quality, and adds a beautiful amber color to the liquor. In cool weather it may be kept from the press twelve hours before pressing. Some authors insist that the pulp should remain in the vat or trough from twenty-four to forty-eight hours, or even longer, if the weather is cool, in order to heighten the color and increase the saccharine prin- ciple. We append the following recipe, given in the Grermantowh Telegraph by Mr. Nicholas Nail, of Moor county, North Car- olina, as containing valuable suggestions: " How to Make Cider. — All apples fit to be eaten will make good cider. The grand secret is in cleansing it from the filth and dregs as early as possible. Each sort of apples is to be crushed and pressed by themselves. Two kinds of juice, both good, would, if mixed, often make bad cider. Throw out all imperfect, sorry, and sunburnt apples, as well as dust and trash. Crush your apples before much mellowed, as they lose their strength, soundness, and spirit, if too mellow. Let them stand a half a day after being crushed, before putting into the press; then press them slowly; discontinue it as soon as the juice appears thin and watery. The advantage of slow pressure is in making the liquor run pure. " Let your casks, previously well cleansed, be filled quite full, to permit the froth and pomace to discharge itself at the bung. When the fermentation abates, cover the bung closely with ORCHARDS. 219 something that may he lifted by the fixed air that escapes during the future fermentation, "In a week, rack off the cider carefully, ceasing the moment you observe it to run muddy ; now stop the cask more firmly. In ten days rack it off a second time, and in fifteen days a third time. In every instance the cask is to be cleaned and perfectly filled ; and when filled for the last time, to be bunged close in a deep, dry cellar, never to be moved, until drawn for use. "Late cider need not be racked until March, and then one racking, or at the most, two, will be sufficient. "Be very careful that no water, not even the little that will adhere after rinsing the cask, is mixed with the cider. The smallest quantity of rain water will render the cider unfit to keep. The addition of any quantity of distilled spirits is not only useless but injurious. "Mr. Nail's method is the result of long experience, and its success justifies me in recommending it to the public. I hope it will be tried. " I ought to have mentioned that Mr. Nail told me that he had for many years tried various plans for clarifying cider, to prevent its souring, by means of milk, isinglass, scalding and skimming, filtering through sand, &c, and found all useful, but is satisfied that frequent racking or drawing is far prefer- able to any other method he has attempted." — J. W. P., in Grermantown Telegraph. HOW TO DRY APPLES. The following advice, if carefully followed, will insure a ready market and high prices for this valuable commodity. In collecting the fruit for drying, carefully assort it, and select all the sound and perfect apples. Pare and core these carefully, then slice and dry without allowing them to get wet. See that they are not exposed to dust, and as soon as dried, put away carefully until ready for market. Follow these directions as near as you can in every particular, and when you offer them for sale you will readily realize from two 220 ORCHARDS. to three cents a pound more than the price of those dried in the ordinary way. CIDER VINEGAR. Vinegar is an agreeable pungent acid, which is obtained from cider, wine, beer, or other fermented liquors. The principal requisites to form good vinegar, according to Parmentier, are : 1st, Contact with the air ; 2d, A temper- ature not exceeding 77° of Fahrenheit; 3d, The addition of some extraneous vegetable matter to promote acetous ferment- ation ; and 4th, The presence of alcohol. This last requisite has not been generally known in the United States; its im- portance, however, was discovered by Col. Anderson, of New York, many years ago, and before Parmentier wrote; and he has since been in the practice of adding some cider spirit (apple brandy) to make cider vinegar, during the progress of the acetous fermentation. "The inhabitants of the cider-perry cantons," says Par- mentier, "make vinegar of these two liquors thus: in a cask of 800 pints they mix six pounds of sour (aigre) yeast (made with leaven and rye flour) with hot water, and pour it in the cask ; after agitating it with a stick, they let it remain, and in six or eight days, vinegar of good strength is produced. It is very necessary to draw off this vinegar as soon as done, because it is more subject to become vapid than wine-vinegar. The bung, when vinegar is made in this way, should be kept close. Mr. Joseph Cooper makes his vinegar of good-bodied sweet cider; fills the barrels one-third full, and permits it to stand with the bung-holes slightly covered for at least nine months. If fermentation does not proceed with sufficient rapidity he draws off a few quarts of the liquor, and, after boiling and skimming it, returns it again to the cask. Mr. Cooper con- firms the utility of the practice of adding cider or rye spirit to weak vinegar to increase its strength. Mr. Wm. Sheaff, of Philadelphia, adds one quart of ripe and bruised sumach-berries, after being boiled with half an ORCHARDS. 221 ounce of cream of tartar, to every barrel of cider destined for vinegar. Cider vinegar is very valuable for market purposes and for domestic uses. In the South, where the summers are long and hot, it is made by fermenting new cider in a warm room or shed fronting the south; or, exposed to the sun with the bung loose in the open air; under ordinary circumstances, without any other aid it will become good vinegar in the course of a few weeks, especially if it be made in the early part of the Summer. The apples best adapted to this use are the early seedlings and fruit from isolated trees on the farm, or any early ripen- ing apples that are not so good for other purposes. The cider for vinegar should be made from ripe, sound apples, as early in Summer as the maturity of the fruit will allow — and it may be put in sour barrels. It is not proper to rack it off at all, nor does it need any foreign ingredients to add to its strength or body, provided it has time to go through a proper ferment- ation — by Fall it may be good vinegar, but it will not attain perfection until the next Summer. There arc various receipts for making vinegar, or adding to its strength, with which most farmers are acquainted. We, however, prefer none of them, but choose to let the liquor take its natural course. The vin- egar should not be put in a cellar, unless it be a very dry one. The casks should be often examined lest they may be found empty, as the worms frequently perforate the barrels and all is lost. There is a method of procuring a very powerful essence of vinegar, which can be practiced only in very cold weather. It simply consists in exposing this liquor in basins, or other shallow vessels, when the watery parts are converted into ice, but the spirituous or acetous basis remains in a fluid state; so that, by repeated exposure, one pint of strong vinegar will be reduced to about a tablespoonful of essence. This preparation possesses a fine flavor and a most pungent taste, and is valu- able for particular purposes. HINTS FOR SOUTHERN FRUIT GROWERS. P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga., states in a paper read 222 ORCHARDS. before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, that the Sum- mer apples of the North generally improve in quality when raised in the Southern States; the Fall apples are of little value ; and the Northern Winter apples prove worthless, drop- ping their fruit in August before they are perfected. New Southern Winter aj?j)les are coming into cultivation that will keep up the supply until April or May. It is important to train the trees with low heads, so as to shade the stem from the hot sun of this climate, and to prune so as to preserve compact heads that shall produce fruit near the centre. The trees begin to bear early, some producing remunerative crops the third year after transplanting. In the nursery, the trees often attain the height of ten feet in a single season. PEACH CULTURE. CONTAINING PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PEACH TREE AND ITS FRUIT, , AS ADAPTED TO Southern and Southwestern Climates, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. ALSO COPIOUS LISTS OF THE BEST FRUITS, Embracing all the Information NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFUL CULTURE. "There is not only ornfort and health, but money in fruits." "To neglect the culture of fruits is to forego one of the highest pleasures of a country life."— R. H. Bryan. THE PEACH. (Fr. pSehe ; It. pesca ; Am. pechesen ; Dutch persickke- boom ; Spanish El Melocoton ; Persiea vulgaris, Dec; Mosacece, of botanist.) This well known tree, and its fruit, of the genus Persiea Amygdalus, of many varieties, is a native of warm or tem- perate climates, and was originally brought by the Romans 'from Persia to Italy in the time of the Emperor Claudius, and from thence disseminated throughout Europe and other parts of the world. It was introduced into this country about the year 1629. The stones were ordered by the " Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in that year. Both the peach and nectarine, as well as apricots, are men- tioned by Beverly as growing abundantly in Virginia in 1720. Some of the former are represented to have been twelve or thirteen inches in circumference. They were raised so easily that some cultivators planted orchards of them purposely for feeding hogs, while others made a ,drink of them called "mob- by," which either was drunk as cider, or distilled into brandy. Peach trees, as well as those of the quince, are mentioned by Colden as having been killed by frost, in the province of New York, in 1787, bat the apple and pear trees were not hurt by the cold. The peach was introduced into Louisiana by the Spaniards prior to its settlement by the French, where it has been since grown spontaneously, and in many respects apparently indi- genous. This tree was introduced at Easton, Talbot county, Mary- land, by George Robbins, in about 1735. The stones were received from Peter Collinson, of England, together with the seeds of that year. In the United States, the peach thrives and is matured as 16 226 THE PEACH. far North as Boston, northward of which it usually fails. It is well adapted to all the Southern States, except in some low maritime districts. Throughout the Southwestern and most of the Western States, it flourishes and attains its greatest per- fection, growing spontaneously in fence corners, on road sides and lanes. This delicious fruit is never raised in England, and' not generally in France, without the aid of walls. China and the temperate portions of the United States are, therefore, the only countries where the peach and apple attain their highest perfection in the open orchard. The peaches of som& parts of China are said to be the finest in the world, and of double the usual size. " It is worthy of remark," says a good writer, "that the peach tree seems to hold very much the same place in the ancient Chinese writings, that the tree of knowledge of the old Scriptures, and the golden Hesperides apples of the heathens do in the early history of western nations. The traditions of a peach tree, the fruit of which> when eaten, conferred immortality, and which bore only once in a thousand years — and of another peach tree of knowledge, which existed in the most remote period on a mountain guarded by a hun- dred demons, the fruit of which produced death, are said to be distinctly preserved in some of the early Chinese wri- tings. Whatever may have been the nature of these extra- ordinary trees, it is certain that, as Lord Bacon says, ; not a slip or sucker has been left behind.' We must, therefore, content ourselves with the delight which a fine peach of mod- ern times affords the palate and the eye." The facility of raising the peach from the seed, remarks a modern writer, has probably tended to its general diffusion throughout the world. This fruit has steadily followed the progress of civilization; and man, from China to Peru, has surrounded himself with the luxury of th island other stone- fruits, very soon after he has begun to taste the blessings of a settled life. There are still spots where ignorance prevents portions of mankind from enjoying the blessings which Prov- idence has everywhere ordained for industry; and there are others where tyranny forbids the earth to be cultivated and THE PEACH. 227 produce its fruits. The inhabitants of the Haouran, who are constantly wandering, to escape the dreadful exactions of some petty tyrant, have neither orchards, nor fruit trees, nor gar- dens for the growth of vegetables. "Shall we sow for stran- gers?" was the affecting answer of one of them to Burkhardt. One of the greatest blessings, continues he, that can be con- ferred upon any rude people (and it is a blessing which will bring knowledge, and virtue, and peace in its train), is to teach them how to cultivate those vegetable productions which constitute jjthe best riches of mankind. The traveler, Bur- chell, rendered such a service to the Bachapins, a tribe of the interior of Southern Africa. He gave to their chief a bag of fresh peach stones, in quantity about a quart; "nor did I fail," says the benevolent visitor of these poor people, to im- press upon their minds a just idea of their value and nature, by telling them that they would produce trees which would continue every year to yield, without further trouble, abund- ance of large fruit of a more agreeable flavor than any which grew in the country of the Bachapins." Although it is generally conceded that the peach tree origi- nated in Persia, yet it does not follow, from thence, that it was one of the natural 'productions of that country — and there are still doubts as to what part of the globe this splendid fruit was first cultivated or had its origin. Pliny relates that it had been stated to have possessed venomous qualities, and the fruit was sent into Egypt by the kings of Persia, by way of revenge, to poison the natives; but he treats this story as a mere fable, and considers it the most harmless fruit in the world ; that it had the most juice and the least smell of any fruit, and yet caused thirst to those who ate of it. He expressly states that it was imported by the Romans from Persia; but whether it was indigenous to that country, or sent thither from a region still nearer the equator, we have no information. He adds, that it was not long since peaches were known in Rome, and that there was great difficulty in rearing them. He also informs us that this tree was brought from Egypt to the Isle of Rhodes, where it could never be made to produce fruit ; and from thence to Italy. He says, 228 THE PEACH. moreover, that it was not a common fruit either in Greece or Natalia. No mention, however, is made of it by Cato. Pow- nall, in his "•Roman Provinces," makes it a Phocaean import- ation to Marseilles; and evidently it was cultivated in France at an early period, as Columella, in his account of this fruit, says — " Those of small size to ripen make great haste ; Such as great Gaul bestows, observe due time And season, not too early or too late." "According to Royle, it grows in Persia both wild and in a state of cultivation, and flourishes on the Himalayas at ele- vations of 5,000 to 6,000 feet above the sea. "The nectarine is considered by some as a distinct species; but there can be no doubt on this point, as the peach itself is believed to be nothing more than an improved fleshy almond, which bears a similar relation to the peach and nectarine as the crab does to the apple, and the sloe to the plum. To prove that the peach and nectarine are essentially the same, it may be mentioned that the fruit of both have been found on the same branch; and even various instances are recorded where the fruit had the smooth surface of the nectarine on one side and the downy skin of the peach on the other." The transformations wrought by horticulturists and pomolo- gists are all but incredible. The peach, which, originally was considered a poisonous almond, and used, as some say, to im- pregnate arrows with deadly venom, has become, by long and judicious cultivation, the most delicious, harmless, and most excellent of all fruits. Cherries are derived from a berry of which a single one only grew on a stem; nectarines and apri- cots are hybrids of the plum and peach ; the chief of esculents, the cabbage, with its relatives, brocolia and cauliflower, came from a marine plant — from the common sea-kale, which shoots up on some sandy shores. From wild, sour crabs, scarcely larger than boys marbles, have proceeded all varieties of apples. The largest and richest of plums are descendants of the black thorn's bitter sloe. Such are mere specimens of vegetable metamorphoses brought about by transplanting, ac- climating, crossings, and culture. THE PEACH. 229 The peach tree usually does not attain a large size, but in soils and climates well adapted to its growth, its dimensions are considerable, and it has a somewhat spreading form. In rather cold climates, the branches become elongated and scat- tering, in consequence of the new and tender wood of the suckers and twigs being annually killed by the frost or cold of the winters, thereby throwing an undue portion of the sap into the leading branches; which renders the shortening-in system of pruning particularly applicable to such latitudes, which forces the tree to fill up with numerous branches of young wood ; and, which lessens the leverage of the long horizontal limbs, and prevents their breaking off with the weight of the fruit. The leaves are narrow, smooth, and separated. The blossoms are of a very gay and beautiful pink color — some are double, and some much larger than others. The peach is rather more tender and not so long lived as the most of fruits raised in temperate climate?, but it is a rapid grower, and commences to bear fruit usually the third year from planting the seed. In the Northern States, the trees often decay after bearing two or three good crops, and sometimes the first good crop is the last; but this early decay of the tree is not applicable to the Middle or Western States ; and, in the more Southern climates it frequently attains the age of thirty or forty years — and is never attacked by the disease called the yellows. The fruit of the peach tree is various as to size, according to the care in cultivation and the health of the tree; ranging from the size of hulled walnuts to that of the largest apples ; specimens often measuring from twelve to thirteen inches in circumference. It is not so distinctly marked as some other fruits. There is a good deal of sameness in the general ap- pearance, size, form and color. The variation is caused by the climate, culture and soil. Some are of a waxy white, with a beautiful blush ; some of a light wax color ; others nearly red in the sun, while some have a dark gray, or dark blood red appearance; and all varieties are covered with a soft downy substance pervading the entire surface of the fruit. 230 > THE PEACH. Some varieties have the flesh cling firmly to the seed; while others open freely and separate the flesh from the seed per- fectly. There are a few others which neither cling perfectly nor separate easily. , There is also considerable variation in the quality of this fine fruit on the same tree; that being best which is most exposed to the sun and air. These are some of the peculiarities of this juicy, luscious and most delicious fruit. USES OF THE FRUIT. The peach, as it regards its melting lusciousness of taste and beauty of appearance, excels all the fruits of the earth. It has been aptly said that "no fruit this side of Paradise" can successfully rival the blushing cheek and nectared juices of some of our fine varieties. Its delicious, refreshing pulp is always in demand when uncooked, or, when cooked, it affords the most elegant and wholesome culinary material and ; delicious dessert dishes. The fruit, when perfectly ripened on the tree, and eaten when fresh and plump, is very nourishing, and can be indulged in with impunity, almost to repletion, without disagreeable re- sults. It is nourishing, diuretic, slightly laxative, and has other delicate and fine medicinal qualities. In pies, it is espe- cially fine, superb— nothing of the sort can be better. -Raw' peaches, with a little crushed sugar, are not to be despised— maple sugar, peaches, and cream is a dessert for the gods. Though somewhat transient in their fresh state, peaches may be carried in ice to distant parts of the world in a fine, sound condition — and, when dried, they can be kept in any climate, and carried to any distance. In locations distant from market, they may be converted into the finest brandy for medicinal and other purposes; and where they cannot be put early into the market, they may be largely cultivated for the purpose of drying, and sent to market whenever desired. Dried peaches are now (April, 1870,) selling at Richmond at 13 to 15 cents per pound, peeled; unpeeled, from 7 to 9 cents. At Norfolk, peeled, 15 to 17 ; unpeeled, 10 to 12 cents. Lynchburg, peeled, 12 to 14 cents; unpeeled, 8 to THE PEACH. 231 10 cents. Alexandria, peeled, 13 to 15; unpeeled, 10 to 12 cents. Last Winter they commanded more than double these prices in all the cities. The drying of peaches in the far South is effected by spread- ing the fruit on boards, or frames filled up with boards, and exposed to the sun and air; but where the business is clone on a larger scale, for market, a drying -house is constructed, which is heated by a stove and furnished with ventilated drawers, a description of which has already been given in the course of this work. These drawers are provided with bot- toms made of laths or narrow strips, just open enough to allow the heated air to circulate freely through them. They are filled with free stone peaches, in halves, taken before too ripe. If they are to be dried unpeeled, they are first dipped in boiling hot water for a few minutes, they are then cut in two, the stone taken out, and the two halves distributed in single layers, touching each other, with the skin downward. When the drying is completed by the heat of the drying-house, which requires but a short time, the drawers are taken out and a fresh layer put on. The leaves of the peach when bruised and mixed with water, or bruised in water, and distilled, is a preparation called jieach water, which is much used as a delicate flavoring extract for culinary purposes. If steeped in brandy or other spirits, they communicate a grateful flavor called " Noyean." An imita- tion of the celebrated improved Noyean is made by using the best white brandy, which, after being flavored with this ex- tract, is sweetened with refined sugar mixed with a small por- tion of sweet milk, and then decanted. The refuse of the peach orchard and distillery are used in fattening hogs — for this purpose it is considered wholesome and valuable food. Peaches put up in brandy are considered a luxury, and the canning of this fruit in a ripe state, fresh from the trees in air-tight vessels, has become quite a large and profitable busi- ness in many parts of the United States. An eminent Northern pomologist says; "No man who lives under a warm sun will hesitate about giving a due share of 232 THE PEACH. his garden to peaches, if he has no orchard; and even he who lives north of the best Indian corn limits ought to venture on a small line of espalier for the sake of the peach." PROPAGATION OF THE PEACH. This fruit is, perhaps, more easily propagated than any of our cultivated fruits. The stone or seed may be planted any time in the Fall. They will come up, however, much sooner in the Spring, and without further trouble, if planted as soon as the flesh is off — before they become dry. If they are allowed to get dry, they can still be planted in thick layers or beds, and covered three or four inches with rich mould, and in the following Spring, when the ground becomes warm and dry enough to work, they may be taken up and carefully cracked, so as not to mash or injure the kernels. These kernels can now be distributed in nursery rows in rich, light, well prepared soil. Place them about one inch deep, or as deep as you plant Indian corn, and twelve inches apart in the rows. The nursery rows should be four or five feet apart, and the rows had best run in a direction that will secure the most warmth from the sun. If the stones of the peach are planted as soon as the flesh is off, they will vegetate the next Spring, and, in rich, mellow soil, will grow from three to four feet in height by the Fall; and may be budded in August or September. This is an operation that should be carefully performed. Grafting the peach is seldom attempted, as success in this way is always uncertain. The buds should be put in as near the ground as possible. The next year, during the month of March, the young trees should be headed back; that is, care- fully cut off just above the bud, and the trees will, from these buds, in a good soil, attain the height of five or six feet the first year — and this is far the best size for transplanting, viz: one year from the bud. In northern climates the plum stock is preferred to the peach for the purpose of propagation, espe- cially for the finer sorts; and it is more suitable for walls and protected places. We believe, however, that free-growing, healthy peach stocks THE PEACH. 233 are the most suitable and natural foundation for the growth of all standard orchard peach trees. In planting the stones to raise from, great care should be taken to select the largest and soundest, from vigorous thrifty trees, and not put in those of a different character — as such discrimination will be a great advantage to the growth, and also protection from worms and diseases, especially the yellows, where that disease is prevalent. Dwarf trees are made such by budding in the Marabelle plum stock, or some other slow growing variety of plum. Some employ the almond stock, but not for dwarfing. In raising seedling kinds, the stones should be grown in the South for Southern culture, and in the North for Northern culture. The peach is so easily propagated by seeds, and seedling varieties are often so very good, we are inclined to recommend a portion of the orchard or garden to be devoted exclusively to them. A good author advises the orchardist (and we entirely concur with him) to select fixed varieties, which, if cultivated at a proper distance from other trees, so as not to mix in the blossom, will invariably produce the same from the seed. The peach is propagated in this way with much less trouble, and, we know the trees to be much more hardy and durable; especially if the seeds or stones are planted and allowed to grow just where the tree is to stand in the orchard — by this means you save nearly a year's growth of the tree. With proper cultivation* and attention a complete assortment of fine peaches may be obtained, with quality as good, and far more durable than the best budded varieties."}" We have among our fine peaches several fixed varieties, and others might be proven to be such, by planting a few of their stones apart from other varieties, and when they come * The young plants must be carefully weeded during the Summer, and if the seed and management have both been good, they will grow to the height of three or four feet by the Fall. f Budded trees are more tender than seedlings. Something is due to the difference in varieties, but there is more due to the budding. In the budded trees, the sap does not find its way from branch to root so readily as in the seedlings, and the consequence is, that the fruit-bud on the former has a larger growth, is not so cc-mpactly done up, and consequently cannot so well stand the action of frost. Should any one be skeptical with regard to this position, as to the effects of the cicatrix, let him dissect carefully a few young trees at the point where the bud or graft is inserted. 234 THE PEACH. into bearing, if they all be precisely the same, it may be re- garded as a fixed variety. Try several varieties in this way, and those that come nearest to the sameness required should be adapted as fixed standard varieties. In this way a splen- did assortment might be obtained with no expense and but little trouble. SUITABLE SOILS AND SITUATIONS. It is conceded that the very best soil for the peach is a deep, rich, sandy loam, or any strong mellow loam. Mellow loam, containing but little sand has been found to produce fruit of the finest quality, and for a long time successively; a light, thin, sandy soil will produce fine fruit, but the trees on such soils are not long-lived. The worst and poorest soils for the peach are compact clay, containing little vegetable matter. The rich, friable, red soils of the Piedmont sections of the South are unsurpassed in their adaptability to the per- fection and lusciousness of this fruit, and the finest of all spe- cimens are grown in this region, not only as it regards flavor, but also size and beauty. As a general thing, the peach will flourish in any moderately rich, friable soil, with suitable culture. Some authors esteem as best, a light and rather dry loam. On lands rather light and sandy, swamp much or ditch mud mixed with stable ma- nure is a highly beneficial corrective. On soils of a contrary character, sand, saw dust, leaves, &c, will aid greatly in the pulverization and productiveness of such land. Situation. — In regions of country that are subject to vernal frosts, situation or aspect is of considerable importance, as the blossoms are liable to be cut off when in the half open or full blown state; and they are sometimes killed in the bud by the rigor of severe winters. This has happened to some extent in Virginia during the last winter, 1869—70. The fruit buds were not sufficiently matured up to November, during which month we had the coldest spell ever known at the approach of our usual winter — affording an opportunity to get ice. Then we had a remarkably warm winter up to THE PEACH. . 235 the 20th of February. On the 22d there was plenty of ice to put away, and the weather very cold. At this time the peach buds were very much swollen, and the most forward were killed by the freezing and bursting of their cells. Those who have to plant peach orchards in such frosty dis- tricts will find great advantage in making plantations on the north sides of hills, northern slopes and elevated grounds. They should be preferred to warm valleys and southern aspects, as in the cooler positions and aspects the vegetation is retarded, and may escape injury. The vicinity of large rivers and lakes, in the interior of the country, are also ex- empt from the effect of frosts and are generally finely adapted to fruit culture. It is not uncommon that the peach crop is partially or en- tirely destroyed in valleys and warm locations, whilst on the neighboring elevations fine and full crops are produced. It is said, on a frosty night in Fall or Spring, the thermometer indicates five or six degrees lower on bottom or valley lands, especially if they are narrow and deep, than on the hills ad- jacent. This difference, with regard to temperature, often causes, in such situations, a total failure of fruit. Those who are compelled to put their trees in such situations should plant those varieties that have the habit of late blooming. They should also select the fixed varieties,* such as produce the same from the seed; grafted fruit is always the most tender; such seedlings should be planted in the places in which they are to stand, as transplanted trees are more or less tender. They should be kept in a vigorous state — the worm at the root should be attended to, and the long limbs cut back, and the cultivation by no means neglected. Such trees will bear much frost and cold without injury. This treatment will cost no more than that practiced on trees in more favored positions. Perhaps a safer plan to secure regular crops in situations unusually frosty, is to procure nursery trees from the States far South — say from Georgia. f The young trees from that * Such as the Columbia, Heath Cling, Tufts Eareripe, Hale's Meloeotion. t Middle Georgia. 236 THE PEACH. State will bloom at least ten or twelve days later in Virginia or Maryland than trees of the same variety that are natives of New Jersey or New York, when placed in the same orchard; and, by late blooming, will generally escape the late frosts in the Spring. This is a very important fact — and the benefit to be derived from this knowledge is not confined to those situations that are especially frosty. PREPARATION OF THE SOIL AND PLANTING THE TREES. If the natural drainage is not sufficient to carry oif the sur- plus water and moisture, it should be effected by artificial means— such as surface draining, by bedding the soil, by open and by secret or subterranean ditches. The soil should be deeply broken by first using a two or three horse plow, fol- lowed by a sub-soil plow as deep as possible. The ground should be well harrowed down. The plowing had best be done parallel with the ditches, or, if the descent is very grad- ual, and no ditches, up and clown the grade, so as to aid in the drainage. The rows for the trees may now be laid off' with the plow each way at the distance apart desired for the trees, stakes having first been set as guides for the plowman, who must have good command over his team. When the ground is thus checked off, the places may be easily prepared with the mattock and spade; and the notched board may be used to designate the exact spot for the tree. The planting of the peach is generally performed in the same manner as that already described for the apple tree, the process being substantially the same. Extremely rich soil, however, is rather detrimental for the growth of this splendid fruit, as the trees will require much pruning, and the fruit will ripen badly and be subject to the rot. As to the distance each tree should stand apart — about twenty feet each way, where the land is to be cultivated and the trees expected to grow large, will be about right; or, twenty-one feet each way, which is 100 trees to the acre. When the trees are to be shortened-in, or trained in somewhat THE PEACH. 237 a conical or pyramidal form, fifteen feet may be sufficient for regular orchards. Where it is desired to take the wagon through the orchard, to carry the fruit away, twenty-four feet distance to every fifth row, one way, will afford sufficient space. In apple orchards, with trees thirty or thirty-three feet, a row of peach trees between may be grown with ad- vantage. Proper Location. — The Rev. C. W. Westbrook, an eminent pomologist of North Carolina, says: "The peach does not require the richest, nor will it succeed on the poorest soils, unless a good supply of vegetable matter be used, not only in planting, but subsequently as a top-dressing. In planting a peach orchard, I would select, as a general rule, high ground of moderate fertility, capable of producing a moderate crop of grain." "I would not be careful to select a northern, southern, eastern, or western exposure in particular, but would prefer to plant, if possible, on opposite ground at the same time. For example — one of my neighbors owned a high hill which sloped north and south. He had peach orchards on both sides of the hill. I have seen the orchard on the north side burdened with fruit; while on the south side the frost had completely destroyed the crop — and vice versa. The same may be said of eastern and western exposures.* "It is doubtless quite as advantageous to plant on different locations, and thereby render a crop in either one of the orchards almost certain annually. Peach trees will thrive, with proper care, in either red, gray, or sandy soils." When to Plant. — The same Southern writer says (and we are of the same opinion): "There seems tv be various dif- ferences of opinion in regard to the most suitable season for transplanting peach trees. I am satisfied that the Fall is the proper time. My reasons are obvious : In the first place, the peach tree, to do well, and come early into bearing, in addi- * The author agrees with Mr. Westbrook in this — having experienced the effects of the vicissitudes of the Winter in different locations and exposures; and, he has to remark in the same connection, that his orchards on the hills are at this time (May the 1st) laden with young fruit, whilst those in the valley have none, or but a scattering crop. This was occasioned by the cold of the 22d and 23d of February, 1870. 238 THE PEACH. tion to thorough cultivation, and thorough pruning, must be transplanted in a dormant state, or, after the leaves have fallen, the sap ceased flowing, and the roots well matured ; and before young rootlets begin to groAv, or the buds begin to swell. November and December constitute the season to which I allude. By the 10th of November, in this latitude, the sap is perfectly dormant. Usually, the month of January is too cold, and the ground too much frozen for transplanting. In February the sap begins to rise, and the roots begin to grow, and the buds begin to SAvell." At the North, Spring is pre- ferred, especially for stiff clayey soils. The peach tree, how- ever, will thrive, if properly planted, from the first of Novem- ber to the time the fruit buds begin to show the red. When it is necessary to use manures in the preparation of the soil for transplanting, w.ood ashes should not be omitted, as the peach tree contains much potash. The soil into which the trees are to be set should be fertilized also with scrapings from the woods and fence corners — w r ell pulverized swamp muck is very beneficial. Trees planted in the Spring should always be mulched. One of the causes of peach trees dying while young is the' planting, transplanting, and pruning the same stock, which causes the stock to be tender, and the bark of the tree very rough; this roughness of the bark gives opportunities to in- sects to lodge and breed in it; and birds in search after these insects for their support, with their sharp bills, wound the stock in many places ; from- which wounds the sap of the tree is drawn out, which congeals, and seldom fails to kill, or to render the tree useless, in a few years. To prevent this, transplant the trees, as young as possible, where you mean them to stand — by so doing, you save nearly all the roots. If the kernel is planted where the tree is intended to stand there will be no cheek in growth, which is always injurious to peach trees. But as trees already budded are generally pro- cured from the nurseries, it is well, in order to secure good roots, to purchase those, only one year from the bud. Such young trees need no staking, and, if properly planted, will grow erect and vigorous, and will outstrip those planted at THE PEACH. 239 the same time of larger size. Where rocks can be conve- niently obtained, it is well to place two or three flat ones about the roots. With such protection the trees will stand a hur- ricane. If the kernels are planted where they are intended to re- main, which is always best, the soil should be in fine condition, and they will grow large enough to bud by the next season ; and that portion which are fixed varieties, and do not require budding, will remain and grow off without any disturbance. Transplanting, as has already been recommended, should be done in the Fall, as soon as the leaves are oif ; or, very early in the Spring. In close, clayey soils, Spring planting is con- sidered best; but it should be done early, before the buds start, unless unavoidable circumstances prevent. The later it is done, the more careful should be the preparation of the soil. Some Winters give favorable opportunities for planting during that season, and it is all the better if a little trash or mulching be thrown around the stem, at the roots, to prevent freezing out and injury from frost. In budding, select buds having three leaves or buds, and next to these two, preferring the buds at or near the middle of the scion. Those who wish to plant a nursery of peach stones (which should be selected from the largest and most perfect fruits), should have their ground light and mellow, Plant in drills about four feet apart and one foot apart in the rows. When from three to five inches high, they can be removed with the transplanting trowel or mattock, with as much soil adhering as may be convenient. Some let them remain two years; but with a suitable soil and good culture, the peach is large enough for budding the first year, and for transplanting the second ; it is not desirable to have larger trees, and the younger they are placed where they are to remain the better, as such trees will grow oif more freely and become more healthy and vigor- ous than trees transplanted at the same time of much larger size. Mr. Westbrook directs peach trees to be planted in the fol- lowing manner: "In small orchards, I use stakes, set, one for every tree to be planted, and in perfectly straight lines either 240 THE PEACH. way. If the soil be thin, I drop a few shovels full of rich earth from the woods or fence corners at every stake. The planting, then, is easily done. "The soil having been previously well broken, I dig a hole large enough to receive, in their natural position, all the roots; the stake being left standing. Then cut off with a sharp knife about one third of the branches of the tree; or, in other words, reduce the top about one third; also, by an under cut, any bruised or mutilated portions of the roots (Mr. W., we suppose, refers to trees two or three years* old), leaving all the sound, healthy roots and fibres Then take up the stake and plant the tree exactly where the stake stood, and just as deep, and no deeper, than it grew in the nursery, spreading out the roots naturally. Then sift or scatter the fine soil gently on the roots, until all the interstices are well filled by working it in among the fibres with the fingers, while the earth is thrown in, and then, as rapidly as you please, up to the collar of the tree (which is the place a little above where the roots are emitted from the lower ex- tremity of the trunk — usually about two inches, and of a yel- lowish color), and then press the earth gently with the feet all around the stem and over the roots. The planting done, it is best to throw some kind of coarse litter, such as can be most easily obtained, around the trees, covering the surface five or six inches, to protect the roots in dry weather. When trees are planted in the Fall, I deem it altogether unnecessary to use the litter." CULTIVATION. It is well known to the cultivators of this delightful fruit, that it requires careful cultivation in order to insure the per- fection of both tree and fruit that is always desirable, and which is by this means so easily attained. Nothing that grows out of the earth will pay better for the care bestowed, or will shew good treatment sooner than the peach tree. Although it cannot be denied, that in favorable climates, and in good soils, trees promiscuously growing about farms will, for a few years, bear fruit of fine flavor — yet such fruit will not be THE PEACH. 241 large, and the trees will last only a few years in consequence of the worm at the root. Without attention, the peach is always a failure; at least to a great extent. This accounts for the discouragement which attends the raising of this delicious fruit in many places. It is tender, and needs care in its management; yet very little skill or science is required in attaining for it high perfection both in fruit and tree. The difficulties generally complained of originate in northern climates. The South is the original home of the peach, and we have only the curculio and the borer to contend with, as a general thing. Every person who attempts peach culture should resolve to bestow the time ne- cessary to keep out the grass — to give a little manure now and then — and to keep the soil beneath the trees in a fine pulverized condition. Do this, and attend to the directions in this work for the destruction of the insects just named, and the most satisfactory results will certainly reward the light labor bestowed. It will be a pleasant recreation for the farmer in his walks, during the fine days of Spring, to view the beautiful blooming of his trees — their progressive, teeming luxuriance — and after- wards to witness the increasing size, development and beauty of the fruit ; whilst, at the same time, he pinches off a useless or exuberant twig or bud here and there — or sees a little gum exuding from the crown of the roots of the young trees, indi- cating the presence and work of the borer, and with his pocket-knife follows him up, and decapitates the little raven- ous sap-sucker. Although the peach tree is so easily raised, yet there is considerable diversity of opinion among authors and garden- ers as to the proper cultivation and training of this unrivaled fruit. There is disparity of opinion between Northern and Southern orchardists. Those of the South, for light sandy soils, recommend shallow plowing and tillage; while those at the North plow deeper, and work the soil more thoroughly. Perhaps both are right — for, in the light, thin, sandy soils, the roots are forced to run shallow in search of food, and the plowing, if not carefully done tears and bruises the roots to 17 242 THE PEACH. a serious extent. On the other hand, trees grown in deeply prepared, loamy soils run deep, and beyond the reach of the plow in cultivation. The farmer must, therefore, use some judgment in this matter, and vary his practice according to the depth and nature of his soil. (Perhaps the best tool with which to work immediately under the trees is a good garden fork; and, in no case, allow the plow to pass right under the trees.) The cultivator of light sandy soils enriches the ground by mulching, and top dressing with manure, and Jeaves it in a state of rest. This treatment is no doubt the best for such soils. In deep, loamy soils, the ground having been deeply plowed or spaded before planting, the roots naturally run deep, and admit the cultivation, by plowing or other tillage, with great benefit. In all heavy, clayey soils, the ground should be kept constantly mellow and loose. No grass or weeds should be allowed to grow near the trees to rob them of their food.* Root crops, peas, and any low, hoed crops may be permitted between the rows for two or three years, but nothing should be grown just under the trees. After the third or fourth year, no crops should be raised in the peach orchard, but the whole surface should be cultivated for the exclusive benefit of the trees. In regard to the poverty or fertility of soils intended for peach culture, there is some disparity of opinion; but it is generally conceded that a medium soil is to be preferred. The poorer soils produce the finer flavored fruit, but the quantity is less, and the trees suffer for want of food — insects take ad- vantage of this feeble state of the tree, and are especially in- jurious to it and its fruit. Peach trees on very rich soils grow faster and larger, look greener, and are thicker in the boughs, and cause a thicker shade; yet on them will grow but very little fruit, and that little will be ill-tasted, greenish, even when seemingly ripe, and of a bad kind. A middling fertility should, therefore, be preferred, as producing vigorous * The cultivation of the peach and apple, especially of the former, should be continued latatf than that of corn or potatoes. It should be continued as long as weeds will gro.Wi THE PEACH. 248 and healthy trees, bountiful crops, and fruit of fine size and quality. In deep, loose soils, the roots of the peach tree penetrate to a considerable depth. Instead of losing by being opened and exposed to the frosts and air, the stiff clayey soil gains greatly in value by the very act of rendering it more friable, while at the same time it has naturally sufficient heart to bear a crop- ping with peas or roots with advantage rather than injury to the trees. The health, growth, and vigor of an orchard in moderately strong land, kept under cultivation, is surprisingly greater than if alloAved to remain in sod. The farmer will see that the difference in treatment, or cultivation, therefore, should always adapt itself to the nature of the soil. Trees that have been grown and cultivated for a length of time, and not manured, unless the land is naturally strong, are like an animal tied to a post with a limited range of pas- ture. In both cases it is indispensable that food be carried to them or they will starve. The crops injurious to the peach tree are those that ripen their seeds — such as Indian corn, and all small grains. Clover, and all the grasses, are decidedly injurious. Potatoes, and all root crops may be cultivated with advantage, for a time, among the trees — squashes, pumpkins, and vines generally, may be allowed. Pasturing orchards with small animals, when •the trees are three or four years old, by turning in hogs, calves, sheep and poultry, will have a good effect in destroying insects, as the animals consume the wormy and faulty fruit as it falls. Sometimes hogs will strip the bark from the roots of peach trees. We had a few valuable trees injured in this way some years ago. The hogs are the most serviceable in the orchard, but they must be avatched. While on this sub- ject, it may not be amiss to say something about enclo- sures. If you have a mind to get your orchard effectually pruned, omit this little matter, and your cattle will perform the job in much less .time than you could do it yourself. Their avidity and energy are surprising, as they will leave clover up to their eyes to browse on the luxuriant branches of your val- 244 THE PEACH. liable and favorite trees, remorselessly tearing them limb and branch, and all your labor is lost. ' ENCLOSURES. A cheap fence can be made of posts and rails in this way: Set your posts eight to ten feet apart — they may be six feet above the ground. Mortise, or bore holes with a two inch augur for three rails, divided properly, so that the fence will be five feet high, and let them in the posts. The holes in the ground, for the posts, should be about eighteen inches deep. This fence will be fully sufficient to keep out cattle, and any- coarse workman can make it. Another simple and cheap fence for this purpose is made as follows: A. stake and cap line is made the usual way. The stakes well driven, or put in the ground. Have the usual crook for a stake and cap fence. Prepare short stakes; drive them in the ground between the long stakes — that is, between each pair of long stakes — so that, when well driven, about two and a half feet of them will remain above ground. Now place three or four courses of rails between each pair of long stakes with their ends resting on the top of the short stakes. This will make a substantial fence four and a half or five feet high, sufficient to keep out all large stock, and suitable for any orchard and for other purposes. MANURES. When the soil around peach trees requires manure, which it very often does, there is nothing better than wood aches, leached or unleached, and all vegetable manures are proper for this fruit. Well-rotted chip manure and ashes, or, a light dressing of lime with the litter, is very beneficial. Muck or ditch mud, when a Winter's frost has ameliorated it, mixed with animal or vegetable manures, is an excellent compost, especially if the soil be light, sandy, or slaty. Soap-suds, chamber-slops, &c, are good; and their action, like that of ashes, is imme- diate and certain. THE PEACH. 245 For the renovation of old orchards, peach or a/pple, these manures act like a charm, and no farmer who has old dilapi- dated trees can afford to neglect their culture, pruning, and painting the wounds, and the application of some of these life- renewing and nourishing stimulants. The result in subse- quent crops would hardly be credited. TRAINING AND PRUNING. The pruning and training of the peach tree at the South, especially at the far South, is practiced for a different pur- pose from that practiced when we approach the limits of peach culture at the North. The peach tree at the South, if allowed to take its natural shape and growth, bears fruit in the third or fourth year from planting, and usually has a well-shaped, rather spreading, round head; full of small bearing branches and twigs well furnished with leaves and buds — the fruit always produced on the last year's growth. The only prun- ing here should be to shorten-in from one half to one third of the last year's growth to prevent over-bearing — and allowing the trees to branch as low as is sufficient to protect their stems from the scorching rays of the sun, aided by the compact heads that this manner of pruning produces — the heat and exposure to the sun still being sufficient here to give color and flavor to the fruit. Trees grown at the North, if left to take the shape that is forced upon them, shoot up their branches in the air, and stretch them irregularly around to an extent out of all proportion. This is on account of climate. The small limbs, shoots and twigs being always killed out during their 246 , THE PEACH. Winters;* leaving only the large, bare, and rigid limbs with vitality sufficient to produce buds and leaves, and all the sap and growth are employed and forced to the ends of these lean branches, causing their unnatural elongation. (See cut.) Hence the necessity of keeping these long branches constantly cut bach, or never allowed to straggle off; and if they should bear fruit, the leverage would generally split them off the stem and ruin the trees ; so, that the shortening system is a necessary restraint in both the North and South; but it is practiced (in part) for different purposes. In the former case, it is to screen the stem and interior of the tree from the scorching and blistering effects of the sun, and to increase the size and quality of the fruitby reducing the quantity; while at the North, it is done to increase the number and promote the growth of short branches, and throw more vigor into the small shoots and twigs about the stem and body of the tree, so as to keep them in a healthy, vigorous condition, to stand the cold of the Winters, and to induce fruitfulness and supe- riority of fruit. Northern writers and cultivators of this valuable fruit do not seem to know why they are compelled to take this cutting' back and shortening-in course; but erroneously suppose they are correcting the habit of the tree — forgetting that the peach is a native of warm climates, and that it is naturally a round, bushy, compact headed tree. In other words the rounded shape of the head of the tree at the North is the result of art, while at the South, it is the work of nature. The early cultivators of this fruit in the United States, or in the Mi idle States, seem to have been of the opinion that the tree required but little, if any, pruning, training, or cul- ture; and this opinion might have been strengthened by the fact that the Winters, if not more mild, were prevented from damaging the trees and the fruit by the protection afforded by the tall forests that surrounded the small clearings of that period. The curculio, the borer, and the disease called Yel- lows were entirely unknown — and the crops were raised 'in such abundance, without care or special culture, as to be fed * This is sometimes the case in some parts of Virginia. THE PEACH. 247 to the hogs. As the country became open, the cold, blighting winds increased in force; the insects be^an their work of de- vastation, and diseases before unknown were developed more or less fatal : and the resistance of the trees to all these enemies became more feeble as the fresh soil grew thin by repeated injudicious cropping, and deprived of polash and all the requisites that sustain the healthy growth and longevity of the tree. The growing of grain crops was especially inju- rious — and the peach crop declined. The production became uncertain, and many cultivators, from these causes, and from their negligence of proper tillage, gradually gave up the cul- tivation in many places. The same in many respects may be said of apple culture. We hope, however, the " golden age" of fruit culture is about to be revived, and that with proper tillage, skill, and attention, this pleasing and profitable branch of horticulture will attain the success and development it de- serves, and such as modern science, and energy, and an enlight- ened view of the importance of the subject demand. What is generally termed the shortening-in system, if reg- ularly attended to in the early Spring or Winter, will enable the peach tree to continue in full vigor and production in almost any good soil for from twenty to thirty years. Observe a healthy young tree in the garden or orchard, the first bloom- ing year. It is usually from six to eight feet in height, and, in the South, the head is well shaped, branching off about two or three feet from the ground. (We think low heads are best on many accounts ; they shade the stem and roots, and are more convenient for pruning and gathering.) The tree, per- haps, has never been pruned, or only slightly, to regulate its shape, and this is no disadvantage. In the latter part of the Winter, or very early in Spring, the pruning may be done. This is a very simple and easy operation, and consists only of shortening-in, or cutting off one third or half the last season's growth over the whole outside head of the tree, and also of some of the inside branches. The usual annual growth will probably Average from one to one and a half or two feet, and this trim- ming will take off from six to twelve inches. No exact length is required — and it is well to shorten back the strongest shoots 248 THE PEACH. most, in order to favor the growth of the shorter ones. The longest limbs, that destroy the balance of the tree, should be cut back, in order to restore the equilibrium and uniformity of the head. By pursuing this course, the tree is brought to a well rounded shape, and all danger of the limbs splitting oif with the weight of fruit is obviated. By reducing the wood of the last year's growth, say to one half, it must be recol- lected we reduce the next years crop to one half, for we thus take off the bearing twigs. The remaining half will now re- ceive all the sustenance of the tree, and the fruit will be double in size. As the season advances, the young shoots put out from every part of the tree, and keep it well furnished with healthy, vigorous bearing wood for the growth of the next crop. The size and luxuriance of the leaves aid in pro- ducing larger and finer flavored fruit. It is the practice of some g: rdeners to shorten back close above a wood bud rather than a blossom bud, which is an advantage to the foliage as well as the fruit. The size and beauty of the fruit is much promoted by the size and vigor of the leaves. Fruit buds may be known, as has been noticed in another part of this work, by the spherical form they assume. The leaf buds, being pointed and rather sharp. This system of pruning must be a regular business, every year, as long as the tree lasts. It is done much more expedi- tiously 'than most persons are aware. The wounded parts, being small, need no plaster or painting, and it is generally done when the farmer is not busy. The appearance of a tree, or an orchard, pruned in this way, even after bearing many successive crops, is a very great and notable contrast to that of the skeleton shapes that have not been favored with this regulating treatment. Some people are very cautious, and discredit the benefits of this shorten- ing-in mode, as applied to the peach tree; but they should mark the difference between a beautifully rounded, low-headed, healthy young tree, laden with large, beautiful fruit, and lux- uriant green foliage, while the tree not so treated is of a char- acter so different, as is exhibited by the wood cuts above rep- resented; no one should, or can, doubt the advantages of so THE PEACH. 249 simple a course of treatment to secure results so valuable, which they can see with half an eye. All intelligent orchard- ists recommend it with entire confidence to every man who plants a peach orchard or cultivates this splendid fruit. The training of the peach tree, as practiced in France or England, against walls or by espaliers, is of but little use in this country, except, perhaps, in some Northern latitudes. It is a little practiced in the vicinity of Boston, and some towns north of that place; and, it may answer very well for standard trees. In many parts of New England crops may be grown in this way. Directions for training, as adapted to this fruit, may be found in another part of this book. (See page .) For small gardens, and for ornamental purposes, at the South and West, it may be recommended; but in ordi- nary culture it would be attended with loss. Early Bearing. — In order to hasten or induce early bear- ing, where trees are. very luxuriant and expend their energies in growth, it is recommended to clip off the extremity of the branches in the early part of July — say about one third of the new growth ; by this means, blossom buds will be produced, the latter part of the Summer, for the next crop. This has been found to be very successful, and is recommended by sev- eral good authors. A Good Wash for the Peach Tree. — Take about a gallon of unslacked lime, two quarts of soot, a quart of soft soap, and one pound of sulphur. Pour on this warm water, until the whole is of a creamy consistency, or of the consistency of oil paint. It is applied to the stem and large limbs of the trees with a painter's brush, sponge or cloth. It should be laid on as hot as you can bear the hand in it, and it should be put on in the Spring and again during the Summer. This will promote growth and health, increase the vigor of the trees, and is excellent for the destruction of insects injurious to both tree and fruit. DISEASES— THE YELLOWS AND CURLED LEAF. The Yellows is a most fatal disease, supposed to be consti- tutional with the peach tree. Its ravages, however, as far as 250 THE PEACH. the author's knowledge extends, seem to he confined at the present time to the Northern and Eastern States, and some portions of the West — the fine peach growing sections of the South and Southwest being nearly exempt from this formid- able malady. It belongs exclusively to this country, ?nd originated below Philadelphia about the first of the present century. For near an hundred years after the tree was in- troduced into this country from Europe, it was cultivated (or rather planted) in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, aiid was, during all that time entirely free from all diseases, and the fruit was raised in the greatest abundance with but little culture or care, and was propagated principally from seeds. The fresh and rich virgin soils of those States, at this period, being eminently adapted to its growth and perfection. Most of these soils, however, were light and sandy, and the cultiva- tion of cereal crops was continuous and exhaustive, and in a majority of cases, without the least attention to the improve- ment of the soil, or rotation of crops, or, even an effort to sustain the fertility of the soil. Previous to this time, the peach tree, which was mostly allowed to have the exclusive benefit of the soil on which it stood became, by constant and close culture of other crops, in a manner starved out. The trees became enfeebled — the seeds imperfect — producing more weakly trees from generation to generation, until at last, about the year 1814, this destructive disease became so prevalent as to destroy whole orchards in the neighborhood of Philadel- phia and surrounding country. The disease was first noticed about the year 1800. The tree, when in good condition, always productive to excess, began to decline. The impoverished soil was no longer able to sustain healthy growth; the energies of the tree fast de- clined, and it became every year more enfeebled and subject to disease and decay. The progress of the disease was now constant and speedy wherever it had been cultivated in the Northern States, induced, it is supposed, by the farmers taking up the idea that the fruit south of them was the best; pro- curing imperfect and diseased seeds from the Philadelphia and other markets tainted with the disease. Northwestward, to THE PEACH. 251 some extent, by the same means it has been disseminated — but the rich alluvial soils of that region, has, in a manner, limited its progress. Poor, sandy soil, poor cultivation, and overbearing originated the Yellows, and in order to succeed in the culture of this fruit, these evils must be remedied. It is particularly impor- tant, for cultivators in northern latitudes, in order to over- come this and other difficulties attending an uncongenial climate, that they should, by careful pruning and culture, and training where that is necessary, secure their orchards from the destructive effects of this disease. Indications of the Yellows, by slight observers, has been confounded with the appearance of the tree produced by the borer, as in both cases the decline of the tree and the color of the foliage is very similar ; also the premature ripening of the fruit is common in either case. It is not uncommon for the trees to be attacked by both the disease and the insect, and the decline of the tree is at once rapid and beyond remedy. Symptoms. — The Yellows is considered a constitutional taint, and all intelligent orchardists consider it contagious, and in accordance with this view, destroy root and branch of all suspected trees. The following symptoms of infection are almost infallible. 1. The growth of shoots or twigs on the branches are slen- der, wiry and almost sapless. The leaves small, thin and narrow ; very different from healthy foliage. The color of the leaves are either pale yellow or destitute of color. The shoots are no longer grown on the extremities of the boughs, but are protruded from the latent buds on the large branches and on the principal portions of the stem. 2. The premature ripening of the fruit which occurs from two to three weeks in advance of the proper season. The first year of the disease, the fruit grows to nearly its natural size ; but ripens sooner than usual ; the following season, it does not attain half that size — or even a fourth of the usual size, and the color is variable, with specks and large spots of dark or purplished red. Internally the flesh is deeply colored, much more than a natural or healthy state, and it is more so just around the stone. 252 THE PEACH. It is established beyond a doubt that the Yellows is propa- gated by budding or grafting — that the stock, whether peach or almond, is sure to become infected, and is lost — and, that the seeds of diseased trees produce young trees in which the Yellows invariably break out.* Even stones from healthy districts, when grown in infected regions, produce young trees that soon fall a prey to this disease. The same happens also when the peach is budded on the plum or apricot. Remedy for the Yellows. It is confidently believed that with proper attention and care this very formidable malady may be easily remedied. The process is as follows : 1. We should exterminate every tree, both root and branch, that has the Yellows. No other tree should be planted in the same place for several years thereafter, unless a thorough removal of the soil is effected. 2. Great care should be taken to obtain stones for planting from perfectly healthy trees ; or,. buds that are known to be healthy. Nurserymen and farmers in districts liable to the Yellows should use the utmost care to procure from places known to be entirely exempt from the disease. 3. To use every effort to preserve the trees in a vigorous and healthy state; and, in doing this we should, from the first bearing year, practice the shortening-in system of pruning, which we have already described. It will certainly secure the trees from over-bearing and all its disastrous con- sequences, and preserve them in proper vigor, health, and productiveness for many years. In a word, it will certainly and effectually prevent the Yellows where it does not already exist in the tree, and improve the size and quality of the fruit to an extent almost incredible. Independent of the Yellows, says a writer in a standard work on pomology, " The effect of shortening the shoots of the peach is not merely to throw more sap and juice into the fruit, but to add vigor and health to the tree generally, by *The yellow variety of the peacli are much more liable to this disease than any others. It is well known that they produce the heaviest crops, and are liable to over-bear, which greatly reduces their vigor— and the greatest number of victims are always to be found among the yeilow-fieshed peaches. THE PEACH. 253 increasing the power of the roots relatively to the branches.* The peach being a short-lived tree, it has been justly remark- ed, were it allowed to expend all its accumulated sap every year, it would soon exhaust itself and die of old age." Will any farmer fail to save' his trees from this malignant disease, when it costs so little labor to do so, and, when the reward in fine luscious fruit is so tempting and valuable ? * Another good author asserts that "the decay of the peach tree, is, in a great measure, owing to the practice of grafting, whereby an imperfect union takes place ; sickly growth is the consequence, and the diseased tree is then rendered vul- nerable to the attacks of the worm, which completes its destruc- tion. He recommends strongly the practice of planting out every year, a row of the seeds of the finest peaches to be obtained in the market, and pruning them in their places, until they produce fruit, at which time those of inferior sorts could be grafted, and others of fine flavor might be permitted to remain, with the exception of their retaining health and vigor for many years to come. Peaches of the finest flavor may be obtained from trees the third year, by planting the stone without grafting or budding."* The Curled Leaf, or the Curl, is a disease to which the peach tree is often liable. It generally appears about the first to the middle of May, or during the early part of June. The leaves curl or twist up, become thickened and swollen with cavities on the under and reddish protuberances on the upper side. They remain in this condition some two or three weeks and then dry up and drop off. They are soon renewed by a healthy crop of foliage, and no serious damage is sustained by the tree or its fruit. The malady is caused by Apis Percae, or plant lice, that puncture the leaves on the under side. Those having large orchards would, perhaps, -not find it profitable to trouble themselves about the extermination of these minute insects, but in small lots or gardens it is well to *Note. — Varieties in this way may be obtained, true, to their kind, that will be of the finest quality, and being natives, are not so tender— and their duration will far exceed that of tbe finest budded varieties, and exceed them both in hardiness of tree and fruit, thereby avoiding the trouble and delay incident to budding. 254 THE PEACH. do so, as the appearance of the infected trees is unsightly and disfigured for several weeks. Remedies. — A mixture of soft soap and water (the com- mon strong domestic soap) with tobacco stems boiled with it, and applied to the foliage and branches from the under side with a large syringe or garden engine, will soon rid the trees of these insects for the current year at least. If it is done when the leaves are about half grown, it will be seldom ne- cessary to repeat the application. There are other remedies, but as this is cheap, simple and effectual, we deem it unneces- sary to insert them. INJURIOUS INSECTS. We consider it a highly important matter to direct the at- tention of our farmers to the study of Entomology. We should carefully consult authorities and study and digest whatever we can find touching on this subject, as the injuries arising from the depredations of insects, both to grain and fruits, are incalculable. By studying their habits we learn how to combat them, and ascertain the stages when they are most vulnerable, and the most reliable for their extermination. Insects rarely attack the most healthy and vigorous trees ; hence the importance of effort to keep fruit trees in the most thriving state. The black louse, embodied in the rough bark of neglected trees, lays her eggs, and covers them until hatched, then removes to another place and repeats the pro- cess. The grain lice are attended by ants, which seem to milk them, living upon a sweet substance exuding from them. Insects are often destroyed by other insects, or insects that breed within them are their constant enemy and our friend and helpers. The Peach Borer or Peach Worm for many years has been the great trouble in peach culture. Its habits, however, at this time are so well understood, that it is not difficult to rid ourselves of this heretofore formidable enemy. Before the appearance of the borer, the most delicious and perfect peaches were raised in the Atlantic States almost without THE PEACH. 255 culture. It was only necessary to plant a stone of any chance seedling, and in the third or fourth year, in due season, with- out farther trouble, the exquisite blushing peach would charm the sight and be ready to drop into the hand or mouth of the passer-by. The fine grafted varieties were equally a success, .and no blighting insect ever dared to tap the soft cheeked fruit or pulpy root of the luxuriant peach. But in the course of time this happy primitive condition of the tree became sadly changed. The Yellows and the Borer were gradu- ally troublesome and fatally prevalent. The cereal crops were allowed to steal away the legitimate and proper food from the trees. Starvation was common, and the two dis- tinctive enemies just mentioned rioted unmolested in our finest orchards. Thanks, however, to the care and skill of modern culture and the science of entomology, we can with ease over- come both these great troubles, and the peach tree may re- sume its natural luxuriance and vigor and attain its primeval perfection. The Borer is a voracious intruder that we can manage without difficulty. He does great mischief by girdling and devouring the whole circle of bark just below the surface of the ground, causing the tree to soon languish and die. The symptoms are very similar to that of the Yellows; but the true condition can be readily known by examining the crown, of the root, where the castings and gum of his operations are unmistakable evidence of his presence. This insect, in a perfect state, somewhat resembles a wasp. It is a slender, dark blue, four-winged moth. The body of the male and female is mostly of a steel-blue color. The wings of the male are transparent, bordered and mixed with the same blue color. The fore wings of the female are blue and opaque — the hind wings similar to those of the male, making considerable difference in the appearance of the sexes. During the Summer, the eggs, which are of a dingy white and scarcely perceptible, are laid on the tree at or near the surface of the ground in little punctions covered with greenish slime. In a few days, they hatch and become small white borers or grubs; they are very tiny and slender at first 256 THE PEACH. and resemble the ascarides of the human body. They soon grow three-fourths of an inch in length, with a dark brown head, girdling and devouring the bark and tender sap-wood all the time of their growth. In the worm or grub state, it has six scaly and ten fleshy legs. It goes through its trans- formations within a year, though worms of two or three sizes may be found at almost any season. When full grown, the worm spins for itself a follicle of silk mixed with gum and excrement or castings, and in due time issues a moth. As it is so well known in this last state, the annexed figure repre- sents the male and female moths : Peach Worm. They commence issuing as moths in central Virginia about the last of June to the middle of July, and sometimes earlier or later. They do not always confine themselves to the peach, but attack the plum tree, and the result is equally fatal. The signs of its presence, however, are different, as it causes no exudation of gum in this as it does in the peach tree. Remedies. — The great modern remedy for the peach borer in the West, is communicated to the " Western Rural" by Mr. B. Pullen, of Centralia, Illinois. It is as follows: "As Spring will soon be upon us, 1 wish to add my testimony in favor of the ' Banking System' as a preventive against the attacks of the peach borer. As to its efficacy there can be no doubt. I have practiced it for four years with complete success. I would not advise its adoption until after the trees are four years old.* During the most of this period the bark * After scalding or cutting out the borers, trees two or three years old should receive the benefit of mounding. The mounds need be only five or six inches high. For such trees • clay or fine dirt should be used. Be sure to leave no borer in the tree, as the signs of his presence are not visible at the root after the mounding. THE PEACH. 257 is tender, and the trees are liable to be girdled by even a single worm. Safety lies only in personal examination and removal with the knife, in Fall and Spring (September and April). In April of the fourth year, bank up to the height of from ten to twelve inches, pressing the dirt firmly around the tree. A little dirt should be added each successive Spring. It is not only a preventive, but a great saving of labor." (We think for trees four or five years old, mounds from eight to ten inches high, or of the size of tobacco or sweet potato hills, are quite sufficient to prevent the deposit of eggs near the tender part of the crown of the roots — above that, the tree is not vulnerable). This banking system is practiced (near Cincinnati, Ohio) by E. A. Thompson and others to an extent that most farm- ers would hardly undertake. They cut back their trees when one year planted. They plant their trees in the Fall, and in the Spring following, cut them back to six inches above the bud. The tree then, instead of having one body, has seve- ral — from three to six. The second summer, they plow both ways, turning the furrows towards the trees. The men fol- low with shovels, throwing the loose soil around the trees to the height of about one foot. In the Fall, the trees are again cut back, taking oif about one-third of the year's growth. The next Spring or Summer the same method is pursued, which raises the mound about one foot higher ; then cut back in the Fall, and the third Summer repeat the process, raising the mound another foot, which finishes the job. The mound will then be about three feet high at its apex and six feet in diameter at its base. The mounding may be done in the Fall, when the hurry is over. The dirt is never taken away from the trees — in fact, it cannot be removed without injury to the tree, for the young rootlets each year keep climbing up through this mound and form a mass of healthy roots. Now for the benefits : First, they have no trouble with the grub, or borer ; he must have air and light, and the mound is too much for him ; he comes out and that is the last of him. They never worm their trees or hunt for the borer, and more healthy or thrifty orchards than theirs cannot be found. 18 258 THE PEACH. The magnitude of these mounds will be an objection with most farmers, although Mr. Thompson says " one man can mound fifty trees in one day." But there are three mound- ing periods, and of course three days required to complete the work. Nothing is said about the result, in the way of fruit, .of this repeated cutting back of the several bodies, brought into existence by the first cutting of "six inches above the bud." We think there are other remedies equally sure, and rather more eligible, that will not require one hour to practice on fifty trees ; and, besides, in the course of a few years the bark of the tree from the apex of the mound to the roots ("which keep climbing up and spreading every year") would become pulpy and tender, and the *borer would re- appear and find a lodging as comfortable as before any mounding. Whilst on the subject of wounds, we have found by experiment that half a peck of pulverized clay, or even common soil, closely packed around the butt of the trees, from one to five years old, in the spring, and kept close to the bark during tilage f and well rounded up in the fall, will generally ex- clude all borers from the crown of the roots. It is best aiid safest, however, to examine and cut out all borers that may be already at work, or, which would be better, scald them with hot water or soap suds, which will destroy the eggs of the moth, should there be any. This is a very simple, cheap, and effectual remedy and we can recommend it with confidence as all that is necessary to prevent the female moth from the desired access to the roots ; or, if eggs are already deposited, they are by this means completely destroyed. The Virginia Remedy, (Allan and Johnson.) — "Examine the roots of the trees every autumn, and destroy all worms *For a complete and lengthened history of this insect, so familiar with the peach grower, we refer the reader to Dr. Fitch's most excellent reports ; also to some of the numbers of the Practical Entomologist, Philadelphia. f After the trees have been worked and mounded, it frequently happens that small trees, in swaying to and fro by the winds, make a space between the apex of the wound and the stem of the tree, and a few cracks in the soil or clay about the roots near the stem. These should be filled up as often as they occur with sand or fine soil or clay, or pressed close with the foot,as they are very convenient crevices for the fly that pro- duces the borer to deposit her eggs. ^ THE PEACH. 259 that may harbor there. Lay bare the top of the roots around the neck of the tree, and leave them exposed during the win- ter to the frost, which will destroy the eggs of the moth ; then in the spring, threw around each tree one or two shovels full of red or blue clay." Experience has also proved most conclusively that if about half a peck of air-slacked lime be heaped around the trunk of each tree, or the same amount of leached ashes, by the middle of May, and suffered to remain until the middle of October, the peach borer will not attack it. By this means the most vulnerable portion of the tree is covered and protected from the attack of the insect, and large orch- ards have remained safe and secure, while unprotected trees have been speedily destroyed. Air-slacked lime and wood, ashes have been recommended, because these fully answer the purpose as protectives, and when spread over the surface, as they should be every autumn, they form the best fertilizers for the peach tree. Charcoal, clay, mortar, &c, have been used with nearly equal success as preventives, and applied in the same way. Some orchardists prefer the knife. They give the trees a regular examination spring and autumn. The earth is removed for a few inches just around the large part or crown of the roots. The presence of the borer is known by the gum or castings surrounding his lodging — follow him up with the point of the knife and he can be eradicated in a few moments without material injury to the tree. This is a very effectual mode, but not so safe as some others, because, the tree is always left exposed to attack and injury until the insect is again dislodged. Those who raise tobacco can protect their trees, if the bojer is not alr-.eady in, by laying tobacco stems or refuse tobacco about the trunk of the trees in the Spring and Fall. Black walnut hulls, or rinds, will completely protect the trees -if used in the same way, as no insect ban exist where they are kept mounded around the stems of the trees. Fi-om a peck to two pecks according to the size of the tree is suffi- cient. The Scalding Remedy, — Of all the applications yet pre- scribed for the extermination of the borer in all its stages and 260 THE PEACH. conditions, the most convenient, elegant and effective, is hot fluid — soap suds, or hot water. By this means the eggs are destroyed at once and in a moment, and without the least detriment to the trees, whether they be young or old. For gardens or small orchards, use a large tea-kettle and pot — keep the latter constantly in a boiling state, and use the kettle to apply the fluid. For a few trees only the kettle is sufficient — for extensive orchards more vessels and larger may be established. Prepare a wooden paddle or spadula with a sharp angular point, or basil of any hard wood. With this, scrape from two to three inches of the dirt from around the crown of the roots, clearing away all the gum and cast- ings at the same time. The cavity thus formed will contain from a pint to four pints of fluid, arcording to the size of the tree. With your kettle, pour around each tree the scalding fluid as hot as you please — if boiling hot, it does not injure the trees. As it subsides, return the soil to the roots with the spadula. Pour a little of the fluid on the gum and castings which must be kept in a heap for this purpose, as these may contain small worms and eggs. The operation may be performed at any time, but the Spring, and again in the Fall, if the insect should be found, is the proper time. April and September are suitable for this purpose. It would be well to examine the trees occasionally during the Summer, and if any borers are found, give such trees the benefit of the hot fluid. This operation is so simple and cheap, of course no careful farmer or gardener will neglect it. Leaf-hoppers (Thrills) and Plant Lice {Aphides). — The same remedies are used for both. Syringe them from the underside as well as on the top of -the leaves and branches with strong soap suds infused with rubbish tobacco — or dust the leaves once or twice with strong wood or soot ashes. Mr. Leor, of Mo., says, that plant or bark lice, may be easily destroyed by scrubbing the trees and applying soap suds and the lye of wood ashes. THE PEACH. 261 The Curculio ("Little Turk.")— Next to the borer this is the most formidable ene- my to peach culture. He prefers the plum and other smooth skin stone fruits, but when these cannot be found, the peach is his victim. The State Entomologist of Mo., (Mr. C. V. Riley) gives a very satisfactory account maSified weevil, of this "pernicious little scamp." We in- sert a few extracts from his first annual report, (1868). (How much to our advantage would it be if our farmers were better posted in Entomology. If we were, or would be true to our OAvn interest in this regard, the produce of the fields, as well as the orchards, would be greatly increased in both quantity and quality ; and a little of this useful knowledge, which is within the reach of all, would be a saving or addition of many millions in the productions of the country.) "It is the business of the Entomologist to teach the farmer and the fruit-grower, how he may prevent the ravages of in- sects, or the destruction of his crops ; how to distinguish be- tween insect friend and insect foe ; how to foster the one and destroy the other, before the latter has sufficiently developed to do damage. He is to show up any depredator whose pres- ence the casual observer can only judge by the damage he does ; he is to make us familiar with the general appearance of insect friends or foes, in all their changes, and inform us in what guise they do the most damage— for it is a well known fact that, while some, perhaps most, insects do damage in the larva state, like the codling moth, or the potato beetle — others, like the grass-hoppers or chinch-bug, do most damage as per- fect insects. The curculio is the dreaded enemy to the growers of all stone fruit. Mr. Ripley observes: "Although so much has been written about it, I find it necessary to devote a few pages to its consideration, since some of the points in its natural history are not entirely and satisfactorily settled even yet. There is, in fact, conflicting evidence from different authors as to whether it is single or double brooded each year, and as to whether it hybernates principally in the perfect beetle state 262 THE PEACH. above ground, or in the preparatory state below ground ; the very earliest accounts that we have of the plum curculio, in this country, differing on these points. Thus it was believed by Dr. James Tilton, of Wilmington, Delaware, who wrote at the very beginning of the present century, and by Dr. Joel Burnett, of Southborough, and M. II. Simpson, of Sax- on ville, Ms., who wrote interesting articles on this subject, about fifty years afterwards ; that it passed the winter in the larvae or grub state under ground, and Harris seems to have held the same opinion. But Dr. E. Sanborn, of Andover, Ms., in some interesting articles published in 1849 and 1850, gave as his conviction that it hybernates in the beetle state above ground. Dr. Fitch, of New York, came to the conclusion that it is two brooded, the second brood wintering in the larvas state in the twigs of pear trees ; while Dr. Trimble, of New Jersey, who devoted the greater part of a large and expensive work to its consideration, decided that it is single brooded, and that it hibernates in the beetle form above ground. Since the writings of Harris and Fitch, and since the publication of Dr. Trimble's work, there have been other papers published on the subject. The first of these was a tolerably exhaustive article, by Mr. Walsh, which appeared in the Practical En- tomologist, (Vol. II, No. 7), in which he takes the grounds that the curculio is single brooded ; though subsequently he came to the very different conclusion that it was double brood- ed. (First Annual Report, p. 67.) In the Summer of 1867, I spent between two and three weeks" in Southern Illinois, during ,the height of the curculio season, and closely watched its manoeuvrings. From the fact that there was a short period about the middle of July, when scarcely any could be caught from the trees, and that after a warm shower they were quite numerous, having evidently just come out of the ground, I concluded it was double brooded, and communicated to the Prairie Farmer of July 27th, 1867, the passage to that effect under the signature of "V," which is quoted by Mr. Walsh, (Rep., p. 67,) as corroborative of its two brooded character. Subsequent calculations induced me to change my mind, and I afterwards gave it as my opionion that there was but one THE PEACH. 263 main brood during the year, and that where a second genera- tion was produced, it was the exception, (Frans. Ills. State Hort. Soc, 1867, p. 113.) Finally, Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, Illinois, who has vast personal experience with this insect, read a most valuable essay on the subject before the meeting of the Alton (Ills.) Horticultural Society, of March, 1868, in which he evidently concludes, they are single brooded, and that they pass the winter, for the most part, in the prepara- tory states, under ground. Now, why is it that persons, who, it must be admitted, were all capable of correct observation, have differed so much on these most interesting points in the economy of our plum cur- culio ? Is there any explanation of these contradictory state- ments ? I think there is, and that the great difficulty in the study of this as well as many other insects, lies in the fact we are all too apt to generalize. We are too apt to draw dis- tinct lines, and to create rules which never existed in nature : to suppose that if a few insects which we chance to watch are not single brooded, therefore the species must of necessity be double brooded. We forget that curculios are not all hatched in. one day, and from analogy are apt to underrate the dura- tion of the life of the curculio in the perfect beetle state. Besides, what was the exception one year, may become the rule the year following. In breeding butterflies and moths, individuals hatched from one and the same batch of eggs on the same day, will frequently, some of them, perfect them- selves and issue in the Fall, while others will pass the winter in the perfect state, and not issue until the Spring ; and in case of a green worm that is found on raspberry leaves, and which passes the Avinter under ground, and develops into a four winged fly . ( Selandria rubi of my manuscript) in the Spring ; I have known a difference of three months to occur between the issuing of the first and last individuals of the same brood, all the larvae of which had entered the ground within three days. It is also a well recorded fact, both in this country and in Europe, that in 1868, owing probably to the unusual heat and drouth of the Summer, very many insects which are well known to usually pass the Winter in the im- 264 THE PEACH. perfect state, perfected themselves in the Fall, and in some instances produced a second brood of larvae. Far be it from me to pronounce there is no such thing as rule in nature, and that we cannot, therefore, generalize ; I simply assert that we frequently draw our lines too rigidly, and endeavor to make the facts come within them, instead of loosening and allowing them to encompass the facts. It was thus that the joint worm fly was for so long a time suspected to be a parasite instead of a tree culprit, because all the other species in the genus (Eurytoma), to which it was supposed to belong, were known to be the parasite. For those* who are unacquainted with the appearance of the plum curcu- lio, in its different stages, I have prepared, at figure 18, correct and magnified portraits of the full grown larvce (a) of the pupa (b) into which the larvae is transformed within a little cavity under ground, and of the perfect curculio, (c). With this prelude I will now give what I believe to be facts in its natural history, founded on my own observations of the past year, and on the observations of others. I firmly believe: 1. That plum curculios are a most unmitigated nuisance, and, though most beautiful objects under the microscope, the fruit growers of the United States, if they had their own way about the matter, would wish them swept from off the face of the earth, at the rate even of interfering with the "harmony of nature." 2. That they are more numerous in timbered regions than on the prairie. 3. That they can fly and do fly during the heat of the day, and that cotton bandages around the trunk, and all like con- trivances to prevent their ascending the trees, are worse than useless, and a result only of ignorance of their economy. 4. That by its punctures it causes the dreaded peach-rot FIGURE 18. THE PEACH. 265 to spread, whenever that disease is prevalent, though it cannot possibly be the first cause of the disease. The peach-rot is now pretty generally acknowledged to be a contagious dis- ease, of a fungoid nature, and I believe that the spores of this fungus, "a million of which might be put upon the point of a stick whittled down to nothing," attach thomselves more readily to fruit which has the skin abraded, and from which the gum issues, than to whole or unpunctured fruit. With this belief I made some effort to procure, for the benefit of my readers, a synopsis of the growth of this fungus ; but, alas! I find that nothing but confusion exists with regard to it. Upon applying to my friend, Dr. T. C. Hilyard, of St. Louis — i recognized authority on such subjects — he furnished me with the article which may be found in the Journal of Agriculture of January 16th, 1869. I most respectfully de- clined publishing it in these pages, knowing that the reader would not be likely to understand what was either too pro- found or too befogged for my own comprehension, and those who require a synopsis of this fungus are referred to that ar- ticle. Verily, we must conclude that peach-rot is not yet much understood, if a more clear exposition of it cannot be given. 5. That they prefer smooth-skinned to rough-skinned fruit. 6. That up to the present time the Miner and other varie- ties of the Chickasaw plum have been almost entirely exempt from their attacks, and that in the Columbia the young larvae are usually drowned out before maturing. 7. That they deposit and mature in nectarines, plums, apri- cots, cherries and peaches ; in black knot on plum trees, and in some kinds of apples, pears and quinces; and, according to Dr. Hull, they also deposit but do not mature in strawber- ries, gooseberries, grapes and in the vigorous shoots of the peach tree. 8. That it is their normal habit to transform under ground, though some few undergo their transformations in the fruit. 9. That the cherry, when infested, remains on the tree, with the exception of the English Morello, which matures and then separates from the stem; but that all other fruits, 266 THE PEACH. when containing larvae, usually fall to the ground. In the larger fruits, four or five larvae may sometimes be found in a single specimen, and I have taken five full grown larvae from a peach that had evidently fallen and laid on the ground for over a week. 10. That the greater portion of them pass the Winter in the perfect beetle state, under the old bark of both forest and fruit trees, under shingles, logs, and in rubbish of all kinds, and especially in the underbrush of the woods. 11. That they are always most numerous in the early part of the season on the outside of those orchards that are sur- rounded by timber, and that they frequently shelter in apple trees and other trees before the stone fruit forms. 12. That a certain portion of them also pass the Winter under ground, both in the larvae and pupa states, at a depth frequently of from two to three feet. 13. That those that hybernate as beetles begin to leave their Winter quarters and to enter our orchards, throughout central Missouri, during the first days of May, and com- mence to puncture the fruit about the middle of the same month — a little earlier or later, according to the season — the fruit of the peach being at the time about the size of a small marble. 14. That those which hybernate under ground continue to develop, and to issue from the earth during the whole month of May. 15. That both males and females puncture the fruit for food, by gouging hemispherical holes, but that the female alone make the well known crescent-shaped mark (see figure 18, a) as a nidus for her egg. 16. That the egg is deposited in the following manner, the; whole process requiring about five minutes: Having taken a strong hold on the fruit (see figure 18 d), the female makes a minute cut with the jaws, which are at the end of her snout, just through the skin of the fruit, and then runs the snout under the skin to the depth of one-sixteenth of an inch, and moves it back and forth until the cavity is large enough to receive the egg it is to retain. She next changes her post*- THE PEACH. 267 tion, and drops an egg into the mouth of the cut ; then, veer- ing around again, she pushes it by means of her snout to the end of the passage, and afterwards cuts the crescent in front of the hole so as to undermine the egg and leave it in a sort of a flap; her object apparently being to deaden this flap so as to prevent the growing fruit from crushing the egg, though Dr. Hall informs me that he has regularly removed the insect as soon as the egg was deposited and before the flap was made, and the egg hatched and the young penetrated the fruit in every instance. 17. That the egg is oval, of a pearl-white color, large enough to be seen with the naked eye, requires a tempera- ture of at least 70° Fahr. to hatch it, and may be crushed with the finger-nail without injuring the fruit. 18. That the stock of eggs of one female consists of from 50 to 100 ; that she deposits from 5 to 10 a day, her activity varying with the temperature. 19. That the last of those curculios which hybernated in the imperfect state under ground, have not finished depositing till the end of June and beginning of July, or about the time that the new brood developed from the first laid eggs of the season are beginning to issue from the ground ; and that we thus have them in the month of June in every conceivable state of existence from the egg to the perfect insect. 20. That the period of the egg depositing thus extends over two months. 21. That all eggs deposited before the first of July gene- rally develop and produce curculios the same season, which issue from the ground during July, August and September, and hybernate in the perfect state. , 22. That most of those which hatch after the first of July, either fail to hatch, or the young larvae die soon after hatch- ing, owing, perhaps, to the more ripe and juicy state of the fruit, being less congenial to them ; and that what few do ma- ture, which hatch after this date, undergo their transforma- tions more slowly than the rest, and pass the Winter in the ground. 23. That the perfect curculio while in the ground is soft 268 THE PEACH. and of a uniform red color; that it remains in this state an indefinite period, dependent on the weather, usually prefer- ring to issue after a warm rain. 24. That in a stiff clay soil a severe drought will kill many of them while in this last named condition, and that larvEe contained in stone fruits that fall upon naked plowed ground where the sun can strike them, generally die. " This catalogue might be lengthened, but already embraces all the more important facts, and I think they sufficiently prove that the curculio is single brooded. There is, it is true, no particular reason why the earliest developed curcu- lios, or those which issue from the ground during the fore part of July, should not pair and deposit its eggs again, other than it does not appear to be their nature to do so. Such an occurrence is by no means an isolated one in insect life ; and aside from the fact that late fruit is almost entirely exempt from them, we have the experiments of Dr. Trimble, which indicate that they have to pass through the Winter be- fore being able to reproduce their kind." Next, Mr. R. gives a list of the cannibal insects that de- stroy the curculio, which we omit, although valuable. Among the natural remedies, he says a few words in favor of hogs as curculio destroyers, "Abundant proof might be adduced of their utility in an orchard, especially during the first season, but I will mention only the case of Messrs. Winters Bros., of Du Quain, Illinois. These gentlemen, for the past five years, have kept a large drove of hogs in their extensive peach or- chard, and have been remarkably exempt from the attacks of the 'Little Turk.' While at their place last Fall, I noticed that all the trees were banked up with earth to the height of over a foot, which prevented the hogs from injuring the trunks. They have never had occasion to shake their trees, and consider one hog to the acre sufficient to devour all the fallen fruit, the hogs being fed only during the Winter. The efficacy of this hog remedy depends a great deal on how one's orchard is isolated from those of others, for it is very evident that it will avail but little for one farmer to destroy all his curculio, while his neighbors are breeding them by thousands, THE PEACH. 269 so that they can fly in upon him another year. They would also be of but little service in the case of the cherry, as it remains on the tree when stung. Poultry will be found very valuable in an orchard, as they also destroy the grubs that fall with the fruit. Artificial Remedies. — Of the hundreds of patent nos- trums, and of the dozens of washes and solutions that have been recommended as curculio preventatives or destroyers, there is scarcely one which is worth the time required to speak of it. Air-slacked lime thrown on the trees after the fruit is formed, is effectual in a certain measure, for though it does not deter the female from depositing her eggs, yet so long as the weather is wet, its caustic properties seem to be imparted to the water and enter the cavity and destroy the egg. But it, has no good effect in dry weather. An article went the rounds of the papers last Summer to the effect that Mr. P. E. Rust, of Covington, Ky., had tried burning tobacco stems with perfect success ! But a letter of enquiry which I ad- dressed that gentleman was never answered, although it con- tained the requisite 3 cent postage stamp, and the tobacco remedy may be placed beside the gas tar and coal tar reme- dies, which have proved utterly useless. After all, as Dr. Hull suggests, the success so reported of these remedies, take its origin from insufficient experiment, by persons who are little aware of the casualties to which the curculio is subject, and who, after they happen to get fruit after applying some particular mixture, immediately jump to the conclusion that it was on account of such mixture. " It may, therefore, be laid down as a maxim, that the only effectual and scientific mode of fighting the curculio, aside from that of picking up the fallen fruit, is by taking advan- tage of its peculiar instinct which. on the approach of danger prompts it to fall ; or in other words to catch it by jarring the trees. The most effectual method of doing this on a large scale is by means of Dr. Hull's "curculio catcher," and we give a description of it in the Doctor's own words : " To make a curculio catcher, we first obtain a light wheel, not to exceed three feet in diameter, the axletree of which 270 THE PEACH. should be about ten inches long. We next construct a pair of handles, similar to those of a wheelbarrow, but much more depressed at the point designed to receive the bearings of the axletree, and extending forward of the wheel just far enough to admit a cross-beam to connect the handles at this point; one-and-a-half inches in rear of the wheel, a second cross- beam is framed into the handles, and eighteen to twenty-four inches farther back, a third. The two last named cross- beams have framed to their under-sides, a fourth piece, cen- trally, between the handles, and pointing in the direction of the wheel. To the handles and to the three last named pieces, the arms or ribs to support the canvass are to be fastened. To the front part of the beam connecting the handles in front of the wheel, the ram is attached; this should be covered with leather stuffed with furniture moss, a dozen or more thicknesses of old hat, leather or other substance, being care- ful to use no more than necessary to protect the tree from bruising. Ascertain the elevation the handles should have in driving, and support them in that position. We now put in place the stockers, or arms, six for each side, which are to receive and support the canvass. We put the front arms in position. These extend back to near the centre of the wheel on each side, and in front of the wheel (for large machines), say six feet, and far enough apart to receive the largest tree between them on which it is to operate. The remaining arms are supported on the handles, and fastened to them and to the two cross and parallel pieces in rear of the wheel. These are so placed as to divide the space at their outer ends equally between them and the first mentioned stretchers and fastened to the ends of the handles. Next, we have ready a strip of half-inch board two and a half wide. One end of this is se- cured to the forward end of one of the front arms, and in like manner to all the others on one side of the machine, and fastened to the bundles. Both sides are made alike. The office of these strips is to hold the outside ends of the arms in position; they also prevent the front arms from closing. These outside strips also receive the outside edge of the can- vass, which is fastened to them as well as to the several arm supports. THE PEACH. 271 " It will be seen that the wheel is nearly in the centre of the machine. To cover the opening at this point, a frame is raised over it, which is also covered with canvass- The arms, or stretchers, are so covered that the motion of the machine, in moving from one tree to another, should bring everything falling on the canvass to depressed points, one on each side of the wheel, where openings are made into funnels emptying into pockets or bags, for the reception of insects and fallen fruit. The whole machine should not exceed ten or eleven feet in breadth, by twelve or thirteen in length. These are for large orchard trees; smaller ones could be protected by a much smaller machine. If the frame work has been pro- perly balanced, the machine will require but little lifting and will be nearly propelled by its own weight. "This curculio catcher, or machine, is run against the tree three or four times, with sufficient force to impart a decided jarring motion to all its parts. The operator then backs far enough to bring the machine to the centre of the space be- tween the rows, turns round and in like manner buts the tree in the opposite row. In this way, a man may operate on three hundred trees per hour." To run this machine successfully three things are necessary : 1st. That the land be decently clean, and not over grown with rank weeds. 2nd. That the orchard be sufficiently large to pay the interest on the prime cost of the machine — about $30. 3rd. That the trees have a clean trunk of some three or four feet. I find various modifications of this machine, both in our own State and Southern Illinois, and in some instances they have been abandoned entirely on account of the injury caused to the trees from the repeated blows given to the trunk. In small orchards it will be found most profitable to drive a spike into the trunk of each tree and to use two sheets stretch- ed on frames, which can both be dragged or carried and placed in position by one man, while a second person gently taps the the iron spike * with a mallet. To .bring down the curculio, * A word in regard to the " iron spike"— the use of which it seems to us would do far more injury to; the tree than the butting of Dr. Hull's machine, well " padded with old hat." Why not riven a spike in a curved block of wood, well padded with old hat, and let the operator hold this against the trunk with one hand and give the sudden tap with the mallet on the broad-head of the spike with the other hand? 272 TIIE PEACH. it requires a light sudden tap, which jars, rather than a blow which shakes, and if the frames are made so as to fold in the middle, it will facilitate disposing of those insects which fall upon it. In conclusion, the intelligent fruit-grower can draw many a lesson from this account of the curculio — already somewhat lengthy. Thus in planting a new orchard with timber sur- rounding, the less valuable varieties should be planted on the outside, and as the little rascals congregate on them from the neighboring woods in the early part of the season they should be fought persistently. It will also pay to thin out all fruit that is within easy reach; while, whenever it is practical, all rubbish and under-brush should be burnt during the Winter, whereby many, yes very many of them, will be destroyed in. their winter quarters. As a proof of the value of this measure when* it is feasible, I will state that while the peach crop of Southern Illinois was almost an entire failure in 1868, Messrs Knowles & Co., of Macanda, shipped over nine thousand boxes, (9000). Though they had a few hogs in the orchard, these were not enough to do any material good, and they think they owe their crop to the fact of having cleared and burnt 100 acres surrounding the orchard, in the early Spring of that year ; for, in 1867 curculios had been very bad with them. Judge Kimble, who lives 4 miles north- east of Cobden, also had a good crop free from their marks, which he attributes to having burnt around the orchard in the Spring of the year." Having all these measures for defence and protection within our reach against the only two insect enemies of any note that disturbs the peach tree and its splendid fruit, we can very well afford to use some of them to insure remuneration and profit in its culture. It is very obvious that the peach, is, not only the most delicious and wholesome, but the most valuable and saleable fruit that can possibly be- raised in the temperate regions of the South — taking into consideration the ease and small amount of labor required in its cultivation. THE PEACH. 273 PEACH FAMILY— Catalogue of Varieties* It is not our purpose to perplex and bewilder the cultivator of this esteemed fruit with the long lists which some authors and nurserymen inflict on those who wish to engage in peach culture. Our aim is to be really useful, by recommending only those varieties whose fine qualities are well known and appreciated, whether new or old. There can be no real ad- vantage secured by choosing to cultivate a great many sorts, from good to bad, merely for the purpose of display or cu- riosity. Short lists and fine fruit should be our motto. American peaches, when cultivated in England, for want of dry atmosphere, sun and heat, generally prove second rate in that country, and will not ripen at all unless under glass, or indifferently by the side 'of walls. It is also believed that many of the best European varieties are much finer here than in England, or even in their native soil. In the various lists which we have prepared for this work, some choice European varieties are included. We have done this, because several standard authors think such selection will improve our Ameri- can collection by introducing their high qualities. They be- lieve some of them to be purer and healthier in constitution than many of our native kinds. But, as a general thing, it is admitted that our best native varieties are far superior in every respect to those of European or foreign origin. In describing peaches, the similarity of varieties is so nearly identical that writers on this subject have resorted to their particular characteristics to enable them to distinguish one from another. The natural classes are, free-stones and clingstones (melters and pavies), and a small class partaking of the peculiarities of each — adhering slightly to the stone. The most notable natural distinction is in the leaves. At the lower end or base of some kinds, are found small glands, * As but little Southern fruit has passed the ordeal of Southern Pomological Societies, the selection, classification and description of both apples and peaches are necessarily somewhat irregular and defective. This, we hope, will soon be remedied. The great increase of fruit culture will require the formation of numerous Societies in all parts. As the value of fruits become better understood and the adaptation of tbe various Southern regions to all the best fruits becomes better known, Pomology will receive the attention it deserves, in a fine fruit-growing country. 19 274 THE PEACH. generally round, but sometimes irregular and oblong. The leaves of other kinds have no glands and are more deeply notched or serrated on their margins or edges. These differ- ences in the foliage aid the Pomologist in recognizing the dif- ferent varieties forming these distinct classes. 1. Leaves serrated without glands. 2. Leaves serrated with small round glands. 3. Leaves with large, ix*regular reniform glands. This distinction in the leases is useful, as it aids in verify- ing an opinion, when the fruit is examined, any time when the foliage can be referred to. There is a difference also in the blossoms, which is fixed and invariable, affording marked subdivisions in the varieties of this fruit. The first has large flowers, always red in the centre and pale in the margin. The second has small flow- ers, tinged with dark at the margin. We shall not follow other authors in dividing peaches into "three different and distinct classes," but shall divide them into five, and give a short list of varieties composed of each : 1. Free-stone peaches', with pale flesh. 2. Free-stone peaches, with deep yellow flesh. 3. Clingstone peaches. 4. Varieties that adhere partially to the stone. 5. Varieties that reproduce the same from the stone. Class I. — Free-stone Peaches with pale flesh. 1. Morris' White. — Rather large ; roundish, inclining to oval; suture medicinal, small point; white to the stone, seldom a purple tinge in the sun; flesh white, melting, of a rich sweet flavor; middle of September. Very popular in warm regions. Highly prized for preserving. 2. Royal George — {P. Mag., Lind., Thomp.) In regard to flavor and beauty, this variety is unsurpassed. It is one of the finest European peaches, and attains the high- est favor in this country. It is a regular and moderate bearer, and is one of those varieties indispensable to every fine or- chard and garden, ripening directly after the Early York. This peach should not be confounded with Early Royal THE PEACH. 275 George, Red Magdalen, Smooth Leaved Royal G-eorge, &c, of some Northern nurseries, described by Manning, as these have globose glands, and are distinct varieties and not so high-flavored and rich. Leaves serrated, with glands. Fruit above the middle size, globular, broad and depressed, the suture broad and deep at the top. Skin pale, or white, thickly sprinkled with red dots, and the cheek of a broad rich, deep red, slightly mar- bled. Flesh whitish, but very red at the stone, melting, juicy, very rich, and of the highest flavor. From the 1st to the 20th of August. 3. Double Montagne — [Downing, Lind., Thomp.) A high-flavored and beautiful peach, much resembling the Noblesse. It is of French origin, and is a favorite variety with English gardeners. We think it one of the finest peaches of the Middle States. Leaves serrated, without glands. Fruit of medium size, roundish, but somewhat nar- rower at the top. Skin pale greenish white, with soft red cheek, which is marbled with darker red at maturity. Flesh white to the stone, very delicate and melting. Flowers large. First of August. 4. Early Tillotson. — Well deserving the high favor in which it is held. It is unquestionably one of the most desirable of all the early free-stone peaches. . It ripens in the vicinity of Rich- mond, from the 15th to 25th of July — full two weeks before the Early York, or any of the very choice kinds, and only a few days after the Early Anne. It is much higher flavored than any peach that ripens previously, or for some days after it, and as a garden variety is entitled to universal favor. Fruit medium size ; skin dotted in the shade, dark deep red in the sun ; flesh whitish, red at the stone, to which it partially ad- heres ; juicy, rich, high flavored. Leaves serrated, without glands. Tree hardy, and a great and constant bearer. 5. Early York. — (Serrate Early York.) This is one of the most popular peaches in this country, and is one of the very best early orchard varieties ; tree hardy and very productive ; fruit medium size ; skin greenish white 276 THE PEACH. dotted with red in the shade, dark red to the sun ; flesh greenish white, very tender, juicy, rich and excellent. There are a few seedings raised from this, and bearing the same name, which are rather more thrifty, but do not possess the high flavor of the original kind. They are easily known from it by the absence of glands in the leaves and by the large flowers of the true sort. Last of July and first of August. 6. Early Anne. — (Down. Lind. Thomp.) The Early Anne is an old and familiar sort. It is the first peach of any value that ripens. The Red and White nut- megs being too small, and of indifferent flavor ; and the Early Anne itself is inferior to the Early Tillotson, but it is a few days earlier and will be cultivated by all amateurs. The tree is of slender growth. Leaves serrated, without glands. Fruit rather small, round ; skin white, with a faint tinge of red next the sun ; flesh white to the stone, soft, melting, sweet, and of pleasant flavor ; flowers very large, nearly white. Profitable for early market. 7. Honey Peach. — Anew variety from South . Carolina? where it ripens the last of June. Described as of the finest quality, and promising to be very saleable as, an early market peach. Oblong, skin yellowish, mottled with red and crim- son, of a peculiar honeyed sweetness. 8. George the Fourth. — [Down. Floy. Lind. Thomp.) This is the most popular peach for garden culture in the United States. It is large, bears regular and abundant crops, is of the highest flavor, and the tree is unusually hardy and vigorous, succeeding well in all parts of the country. Leaves large, with globose glands, often obscure. Fruit large, round, deeply divided by a broad suture, and one half a little larger than the other. Skin pale, yellowish white, finely dotted with red, and deepening into a dark red cheek on one side. Flesh pale, marked with red at the stone, which is small, melting, very juicy, with a remarkably rich luscious flavor. Middle of August below and around Richmond, Va. 9. Hales' Early. — A very valuable, extra early peach, of recent introduction. Tree a very vigorous grower and abun- dant bearer ; fruit medium size, handsome and well flavored, THE PEACH. 277 flush white, ripening a week to ten days early than the Troth's Early. This is now the peach for profitable orchard cul- ture, where earliness is the object. This Ohio peach is justly regarded as the very best earl}'" variety in cultivation. 10. Early Sweetwater. — [Cole. Down. Floy. Thomp.) This is a very early and very agreeable white peach, among the best of its season, ripens not long after the Early Anne, and ten days or more before the Early York. It is an American peach, raised from the stone of the Early Anne. It is so much larger and superior to the Early Anne, or any of the nutmeg peaches, that it has almost driven them from our gar- dens. The tree is thrifty and productive, with pale shoots and nearly white blossoms. Fruit medicinal, roundish, whitish ; flesh white, juicy, melting sweet; of medium size, frequently large, with a slight suture. Skin pale white, very seldom with a faint blush when fully exposed; slightly stained with red at the stone. 11. Troth's Early. — A very early and excellent peach, medium size ; skin whitish, with a beautiful red cheek— flesh juicy, sweet, very fine— one of the most profitable varieties for early marketing. We are cultivating it largely for this pur- pose. (We quote Franklin Davis & Co., of Richmond Nur- series.) Flesh white, resembles the Early York — early part of July. 12. Old Mixon Free. — Pom. Man. OldMixon Olearstone, Coxe. This is a very large American peach — it matures late and is of rich and high flavor. It is supposed to have been raised from a seed of the Catharine Cling or the Old Mixon Cling, the latter was introduced into this country many years ago, by Sir John Oldmixon. It is highly productive and is a very valuable variety. It is fair and large, succeeding well in all localities, and well deserving the high favor in which it is held, as an orchard variety. Skin yellowish-white with" a deep red cheek ; flesh white, but red at the stone, tender, rich, ' excellent. Tree hardy, flowers small, globose glands — Sep- tember. 13. SnowPeach.— A most beautiful fruit, medium size; skin 278 THE PEACH. and flesh clear, creamy -white throughout, Tree hardy and productive — blossoms pure white and shoots greenish — very distinct — one of the most ^desirable of all the white peaches for preserving. This remarkably fair and elegant fruit is of American origin. The foliage is a light green — fruit ex- ceedingly juicy, melting, with a sweet, rich, sprightly flavor. Last of August to middle September. 14. Druid Hill. — This is a free-stone peach of splendid size, high flavor, and very late maturity. It originated with L. M. Rogers, of I>ruid Hill, near Baltimore, and was named after his country seat, by A. J. Downing, who says, ''We know no other late free-stone variety which equals it in flavor and size. The tree is unusually vigorous, the shoots and leaves very large, and it bears abundantly. The very late season of its maturity renders it valuable, as most, of the luscious sorts are then gone. Fruit very large, roundish, skin pale greenish-white, clouded with red On the sunny side. Flesh greenish-white, purple at the stone, very juicy and melting, with an exceedingly rich vinous flavor. Flowers small, globose glands. Ripens from the 20th of September to 1st October. 15. TETON be VENUS. — Large roundish, inclining to oval, a broad suture dividing all around ; pale yellowish green, pale red cheek, juicy, melting, exquisite flavor. One of the very b est free-stones — September. 1(3. Red Rare Ripe. — A fine old variety. Large, Red Rare Ripe of some — Early Red Rare Ripe — White, "with a dark red cheek, flesh pale, rich and high flavored, red at the stone, melting, juicy, very high flavored ; flowers small ; fruit rather laree, globular, but broad : leaves serrated — without glands. August. " It must be observed that this is totally different, both from thelZarty York and Morris's Red Rare Ripe, with which it is often confounded by some nurserymen. The fruit is larger, broader and a week later than the first ; and its ser- rated leaves and different flavor, separate it widely from the latter." THE PEACH. 279 17. President. — P. Mag. Lind. Thomp. A fine variety. Fruit large, roundish oval, the suture shallow. Skin very downy, pale yellowish green, with red dull cheek, juicy, rich and high flavored ; stone very rough, flowers small. Matures early in September. (Can be ob- tained at both the Nurseries near Richmond) and at other Nurseries in Virginia, and at Franklin Davis & Co's Nursery at Goldsboro, North Carolina. 18. Late Red Rare Ripe. — Downing. This noble American fruit is unquestionably one of the very finest of all peaches, even surpassing the Late Admirable. Its large size, and great excellence ; its late maturity, and its productiveness and vigor, all unite to recommend it to uni- versal favor. We cannot praise it too highly. The rather grayish appearance of the fruit serves to distinguish it at first sight from all others. Leaves with globose glands ; fruit large and heavy, round- ish oval, suture depressed only at the top, where the swollen point is distinctly sunken. Skin downy, pale grayish yellow, thickly marbled and covered with reddish spots ; cheek dull deep red, distinctly mottled with fawn-colored specks. Flesh white, but deep red at the stone ; very juicy, melting, and of an unusually rich, luscious flavor, not surpassed by any other peach. Last of August to 1st of September. 19. Royal Hensixgton (Grosse Mignonne) — 0. Duh., Lind., Thomp. The "world-renowned" of peaches. Not only highly es- teemed in France, its native country, but in England and America. It is among the most popular and considered the most superb peach in cultivation. The great number of names by which it is known abroad, and we have only quoted two of them, proves the universality of its cultivation. It is a large and very handsome fruit ; is a great and regular bearer, ripens well under glass, and will flourish even in unfavorable climates. Leaves with globose glands. Fruit roundish, some- what depressed, marked with a hollow suture or seam at the top. Skin pale greenish yellow, mottled with red, with pur- plish red cheek. Flesh yellowish white, marked with red at 280 THE PEACH. the stone ; melting, juicy, with a very rich, high, vinous fla- vor. Stone small and very rough. Middle of August, be- fore the Royal George. The flowers are very large. i 20. Tuft's Rareripe. — Medicinal; roundish, yellowish, with a bright red cheek. Flesh melting, very sweet and luscious. Free-stone. Very hardy, vigorous and productive. Globose glands. Produces the same from the seed. We have hundreds of seedlings, all perfectly uniform (we quote Coles). Middle of September. 21. Morris' Red Rareripe — Large Red Ripe, Early Red Rareripe of some. — Large, roundish, expressed at top, distinct suture, greenish white, bright red cheek, flesh green- ish white, red at the stone ; very melting and juicy, with fine, sweet, rich flavor. Free-stone, globose glands, small flow- ers. This fruit is highly esteemed in Virginia and the Caro- linas and farther South. Originated near Philadelphia by Robert Morris, Esq., and was disseminated from his gardens. It is everywhere esteemed for its fine flavor, beauty and pro- ductiveness. Some American writers have erred in suppos- ing it synonymous with the Grosse Mignonne, which is quite different, both in color of its skin and flesh, as well as in fla- . vor and blossoms.. Ripe in August. 22. Anna Ruffin. — This is said to be a splendid variety and eminently adapted to Southern climates. The author has not been able to get a fair description of it, but from report no Southern garden or orchard should be without it. 23. Heath Free-stodje. — Kenrick's Heath. Ken. .This variety very much resembles the Heath Cling, so celebrated in the South. It is large, showy, oblong, growing to the very largest size, and a very hardy tree. The quality of the fruit at the North is second-rate, but in the fine peach regions of the South it is very fine. Its remarkable size and appearance is an offset to any deficiency in flavor. Flesh greenish white, deep red at the stone, a little coarse, melting, tender, juicy, with a very pleasant sub-acid flavor. Flowers small. Early in September. 24. La Grange — [Bouming). Leaves with uniform glands. Fruit large, oblong, shaped THE PEACH. 281 somewhat like the Heath Cling. Skin greenish white, with occasionally some red on the sunny side. Flesh pale, juicy, melting, very rich, sweet, high-flavored and delicious. Mid- dle to last of September. Flowers small. This fine white free-stone peach was originated near Bur- lington, New Jersey. Its period of nativity [early in October there), its color, its productiveness and fine size, have given it a reputation among the extensive growers of New Jersey; and it is, undoubtedly, a most valuable fruit, not only for the table, but for preserving at the most desirable time for this purpose — late in the season. Its flavor is remarkably rich and delicious, equaling, in this respect, almost any peach of its season of maturity. 25. Ward's Late. — This is a fine, late, free-stone variety, ripening from the middle to last of September. The tree is vigorous and productive, and the fruit generally of large size. Skin white, with a fine crimson cheek, flesh white to the stone (splendid for preserving), juicy, melting and excellent. 2b'. Belle de Vitry. — Medium to large, rather broad, with a deep suture, top depressed, pale yellowish white, tinged and marbled with bright and dull red; firm, melting, red at the stone, juicy and rich. Free-stone. Leaves serrated, without glands. Free-growing and hardy. This is not the Belle de Vitry of most Northern orchards and gardens, which is the Early Admirable ; nor is it the Late Admirable — but is a distinct variety. It is the Belle de Vitry described by Diihamel, and is a firm-fleshed and most excellent peach. September. (Bah., Lind., Thomp.) 27. Belle Garde— (0. DuL, Lind., Thomp.) This fine fruit bears many French and English names, and we will not bother our readers by enumerating them, it being better known in this country by the one we have selected. This splendid French peach is one of the most popular in the. Paris markets, and it is highly esteemed by the English. It is also one of the handsomest and most delicious fruits here. Leaves with globose glands. Fruit large, round and regu- lar, the suture shallow, the top slightly hollowed, and having a little projecting point. Skin pale yellowish green, with a 282 THE PEACH. rich red cheek, often streaked with dark purple. Flesh slightly marked with red at the stone, a little firm, but very' melting, juicy, rich and high-flavored. Stone rather large. Flowers small. Middle of August. 28. Nutmeg, White — (Mill., Lind., Thomp., Down., 0. Duh.) The White Nutmeg is a very small and rather inferior peach. It is dwarfish in habit and of slender growth. It is esteemed by the curious as ripening a few days earlier than any other variety, and is earlier and better further South. Leaves serrated, without glands. Fruit very small. Skin white, rarely with a pale blush. Flesh white to the stone, with a sweet and slightly musky flavor. Ripens from the first to the tenth of July. Flowers large. 29. Nutmeg, Red. — This resembles the foregoing in its general habit. It is desirable in a complete collection. Both this and the foregoing are European varieties. Leaves small, with reniform glands. Fruit small. Skin pale yellow, with a bright rich red cheek. Flesh yellowish white, red at the stone, with a sweet and rather pleasant fla- vor. Season middle- of July. 30. Large Yelloav York. — (Neiv York Rareripe, of Coxe.) A large and beautiful peach. Skin white, with a deep red cheek. Flesh nearly white, very juicy, fine grained, with a mild, rich, excellent flavor. The tree is vigorous and produc- tive. Leaves with globose glands. Origin, Flushing, New York. Matures early in August. This is a valuable and showy peach, well worthy a place in every good collection. 31. The Gorgas. — Originated with Benjamine Gullip, in Philadelphia, from a stone of the " Morris White." Size two and a half inches by two and three quarters ; roundish, with a slight prominence at the apex ; dull greenish white, clouded and blotched with red on the exposed side ; cavity wide, rather deep, freestone, flush whitish, slightly stained at the stone, juicy; flavor saccharine and exceedingly luscious ; quality best ; period September. 32. Noblesse. — Synonyms. — Lord Montague's Noblesse, THE PEACH. 283 Mellishe's Favorite, Canguerd, Noblest, Double Montague. (Description by Elliott.) Size above medium to large ; form roundish, sometimes with a roundish oblong, and the point at apex quite promi- nent. Skin, pale greenish white, marbled and streaked with two shades of dull red in the sun, occasional faint blotches of red on the shaded side; flesh, greenish white, very juicy, melting, with a rich, delicious flavor ; stone, large, pointed, separates freely from the flesh, and without any stain of red ; season, early in September. Tree, moderately slow grower at the North, and somewhat liable to mildew when not in good ground. At the South it grows vigorously, and does not mildew. The flowers are large and the leaves serrated without glands. Originated in France. Remarks. — The Noblesse is one of the old varieties whose good qualities have as yet been unsurpassed by any of recent origin. It is of the richest and highest flavor, and being en- tirely white at th6 stone, is quite desirable for canning or preserving. Note. — According to Berckmans, "in Georgia, the earliest peaches begin to ripen the middle of June, and the season is often prolonged until the middle of November, a period of five months. Cling stones are a favorite class, but if picked before maturity, they do not ripen well and are apt to shrivel ; and if left on the trees until fully ripe, they are unsuitable for shipping, and hence adapted to home use. Free stones must be raised for marketing. Class II. — Free-stone Peaches ivith deep yellow flesh. Peaches of this class are nearly all of American origin. The Yellow Alberge of Europe is considered the original type from which the various sorts and modifications of this class have been derived. They are not esteemed as being so rich and highly-flavored as the class alrea'iy described, and do not succeed so well in Northern latitudes, as it requires the long hot summers of more Southern climes to develop their high, luscious, juicy and exquisite qualities. In cold climates they become somewhat acid and unpleasant. In England, for lack of dry atmosphere, sun and warmth, they 284 THE PEACH. prove inferior, and also at the northern limits of peach cul- ture in this countrj. They are rather more liable to the depredations of insects and more apt to suffer from the "yel- lows ;" but these objections have but little weight when it is recollected they are superior in sweet, melting, vinous and medicinal qualities to Class I. 33. Crawford's Early. — (Crawford's Early 3felocoton* Ken.) A magnificent, large, yellow peach of fine quality. Tree exceedingly vigorous and prolific ; its size, beauty and pro- ductiveness make it one of the most popular of early varie- ties. Downing says: "This is the most splendid and excel- lent of all early yellow-fleshed peaches. As a market variety it is the most popular of the clay, and it is deserving of the high favor in which it is held by all growers of the peach." It was originated by William Crawford, Esq., of Middletown, New Jersey. Fruit very large size; flesh very juicy, rich, slightly sub- acid, of fine flavor, the suture shallow, skin yellow, flesh yel- low, melting, sweet and very excellent. Flowers small. Au- gust. 34. Crawford's Late. — (Crawford's Melocoton. Craw- ford's superb Malacatune.) From the same source as the foregoing. A superb yellow variety, very large, rich, splendid flavor — productive. As a general thing the fruit is extremely large, roundish, with a slight suture. Flesh deep yellow, but red at the stone, juicy and melting, with a very rich, and excellent vinous flavor. September. As a splendid and productive market fruit, it is unrivalled; and its size, beauty and excellence will give it a place in every garden. 35. Yellow Alberge. — (Yelloiv Rare Ripe. Thomp., Downing. ) The Yellow Alberge, a Yellow Rare Ripe of many Ameri- can nurseries and gardens, and is also known by other names, is an old French variety, and one of the earliest of the yel- * Melocoton is Spanish, for peach. THE PEACH. 285 low-fleshed peaches. "It is, no doubt," says Downing, "the original sort from which our Molocotons and Yellow Rare Ripes have sprung in this country." Although it is consid- ered by some as second-rate in flavor, yet in rich warm soils and farther South, it is very superior in both size and quality, and very productive. Leaves with globose glands. Fruit large, roundish, with a well marked seam or furrow running half round. Skin yel- low, with a very deep, purplish red cheek. Flesh yellow, but red at the stone — soft, juicy, sweet, with a pleasant vinous flavor. Julv 20th to middle of August. 36. Braynard's Yellow. — [Allan $> Johnson.) A new and very large yellow peach, of splendid quality, rich and juicy. We regret not being prepared to fully de- scribe it ; but it is represented as being among the very first as to quality. 37. Red-Cheek Melocoton. — (Coles, Allan, Davis.) Large, roundish, oval, a swollen point; yellow; a deep red cheek; flesh yellow, with red at the stone; melting, juicy, rich, of a vinous flavor, frequently too acid at the North; well adapted to Southern States ; very productive. This is a famous old and well known popular Southern variety, exten- sively cultivated as a market fruit. 38. Yellow Rare Ripe.— Large Yellow Rare Ripe— Marie Antoinette. — Down. One of the finest, very early yellow fleshed peaches. It is an American seedling, and well deserves the extensive culti- vation it receives, both in the orchard and garden. Leaves with globose glands. Fruit large, roundish, the suture slight- ly depressed, extending more than half round ; the swollen point at the top small. Skin deep orange yellow, somewhat dotted with red, cheek rich red, shaded off in streaks. Flesh deep yellow, but red at the stone ; juicy, melting, with a rich and excellent vinous flavor ; stone small, flowers small. Last of July. This must not be confounded with the Yellow Malagatune, or Yellow Rare Ripe of some orchards, which is a much infe- rior and an older sort, whose fruit is below medium, with 286 THE PEACH. scarcely any red, and inferior in every respect to the kind we have just described. 39. Columbia. — Coxe, Down. (Georgia Peach, Indian Peach.) The Columbia, according to Downing, is a singular and peculiar peach. " It was raised by Mr. Coxe, the author of the first American work on fruit trees, from a seed brought from Georgia. It is a very excellent fruit, which every ama- teur will desire to have in his garden. The tree is not a very rapid grower, and bears only moderate crops, being, of course, all the less subject to speedy decay. The young wood is purple." Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit quite large, globular, broad and much depressed ; suture distinct, extending half way round ; skin rough and rather thick, (almost curculio proof,) dull dingy red, sprinkled with spots and streaks of darker red ; flesh very bright yellow, of the texture, as Coxe remarks, of a very ripe pine-apple, rich, juicy, and of very excellent flavor. Latter part of August. 40. Smock's Free. — Hen. Down. In some nurseries this is known as St. George, and is an • October peach at the North. It is quite popular as an orch- ard fruit. It was originated by Mr. Smock, of Middletown, New Jersey, the centre of peach cultivation of that region. Leaves with reniform glands. Fruit large, oval, narrowed towards the sides ; skin light orange yellow, mottled with red, or often with a dark red cheek, when fully exposed ; flesh bright yellow, but red at the stone; moderately juicy, rich. Last of September and first of October. 41. Pools' Large Yellow. — Hen. Down. A very large and excellent deep yellow peach, with a dark red cheek, of fine quality ; fruit roundish, with a suture ex- tending from the base to the top ; skin deep yellow, flesh yellow, but red at the stone, rich, juicy, and of excellent flavor. It is of the Malacoton family, and is worthy of ex- tensive cultivation. It originated near Philadelphia, and bears heavy crops. Tree hardy ; leaves with reniform gland. Mid- dle of September. THE PEACH. 287 42. Hatch.— Coles. (Originated by S. 0. Hatch, Ct.) Very large; roundish,, pointed, shallow suture; skin deep yellow, flush in the sun ; flesh yellow, melting sweet and ex- cellent; free-stone, ft produces the same from seed, which, with its earliness, hardiness, and superior quality, renders it an admirable' peach. We have hundreds of seedlings perfect- ly uniform. Globose glands. Middle of August. 43. Bergen's Yellow. — Down. Bergen's Yellow is a native we believe of Long Island. It is a very large fruit, and of very delicious flavor. It is darker colored, more depressed in form, rather finer flavored, and ripens some days k*er than the Yellow Rare Ripe, which it much resembles. ' It is a moderate but good bearer. It is earlier, and much superior to the Malacoton, and its glands distinguish it also from that variety. Leaves with uniform glands. Fruit very large (often meas- uring 9 inches in circumference,) globular, depressed and broad; the suture well marked, and extending half round; skin deep orange, dotted with same red, and with a very broad dark red cheek; flesh deep yellow, melting juicy, and of rich and luscious flavor ; flowers small. Ripens latter part of August. 44. Baltimore Beauty. — A very good and remarkably handsome peach, of native origin — originated near Baltimore. Leaves with globose glands ; fruit rather small ; roundish, oval ; skin deep orange, with a brilliant red cheek ; flesh yel- low, but red at the stone — sweet, very good, a little mealy if over ripe ; flowers large. Last of July and first of August. 45. Tuft's Rare Ripe. — Medicinal, roundish, yellowish, with bright red cheek ; flesh yellow, melting, very sweet and luscious ; free-stone ; very hardy, vigorous, and productive ; globose glands. Produces exactly the same from the seed, and all its seedlings are perfectly uniform — hence the value of this fine variety — it saves grafting. 46. Merriam. — Extremely large, short, oval, light yellow, bright red cheek ; flesh yellow, red at the stone, melting, very juicy — of a sweet luscious flavor, of the first rank in size, beauty 288 THE PEACH. and quality ; globose glands ; new and promising. Last of September. 47. Heath Free. — Avery large September peach. A seed- ling of Southern origin ; matures only in the South. In some situations this is a very fine peach. It somewhat resembles the Heath Cling, externally. Fruit large, skin white, flesh white, very juicy, tender, with excellent flavor. Early in September. 48. Susquehanna. — A very large, new and superb yellow peach ; melting, sweet, juicy, with a rich vinous flavor ; skin rich yellow, with a beautiful red cheek ; very handsome. August and September. This new and valuable peach originated on the banks of the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania. It is a great favorite where- ever known. Fruit of the largest size, sometimes measuring twelve inches in circumference. The best of all the yellow fleshed peaches. Free-stone. 49. Heath. — Heath Cling, Red Heath, Fine Heath, White Heath.* — Coxe, Down. The most superb and most delicious of all late Cling-stones. It will not ripen in New England, but all through the Middle, and Southern States, it is one of the most marketable and valuable kinds, of very large size, and the very finest flavor. Mr. Coxe informs us that this is a seedling produced in Maryland from a stone brought by Mr. Daniel Heath from the Mediterranean, and it is still frequently propagated from the stone without variation in that state. The tree is vigorous, long lived and moderately productive. With the shortening- in mode of pruning, the fruit is always large and very fine, otherwise it often becomes rather poor. This tree is placed by espalier, rail or wall at the North, and can be matured in that way. Leaves nearly smooth on the edges, with reniform glands. Fruit very large, oblong, narrowing to both ends, and termi- nating at the top with a large swollen point ; the suture dis- tinct on one side ; skin downy, cream-colored white, with a faint blush or tinge of red in the sun, or a brownish cheek ; * At the Hermitage Nurseries, Richmond, this is called the W hite Heath. THE PEACH. 289 flesh greenish white, very tender and melting, exceedingly juicy, with the richest, highest, and most luscious flavor, sur- passed by no other variety. It adheres closely to the stone. It ripens in September and October, and frequently, keeps a month after being gathered. Flowers small. 50. Monstrous Pavie. — Bon., Jard., Lelicur, Thomp., Coles, Down. This is an old French variety of many names. It is not esteemed at the North except on account of its size. It will not ripen north of Philadelphia unless protected by walls, and is especially a southern fruit. This is perhaps synonymous with the Monstrous Cling of the West. It is a very late peach, of good flavor in the South, but rather coarse and wanting flavor at the North. Its extremely large size and showy ap- pearance render it quite salable. Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit extremely large, round- ish, oval, with a well marked suture extending to the top, and terminating there in an obtruse swollen point ; skin yellowish white, a good deal covered with the broad very deep red color of its cheek ; flesh firm, yellowish white, deep red at the stone, to which it adheres very firmly, and which is very small. Juicy, good flavor, beautiful ; flowers large. No amateur peach grower should fail to procure this variety for his orchard or garden. This splendid peach matures the last of October in the Middle States ; middle of October in Vir- ginia and North Carolina, and is especially adapted to the southern part of the Western States and farther South. 51. Large Whtte Cling. — Floy. Down. This is the most popular cling-stone peach of the North — said to be superior in that climate to the Catharine and Old Newington, and only inferior in flavor to the Heath and Old Mixon Clings. It is a native of New York, and was first in- troduced by Floy as the New York Cling-stone. This is the great favorite for preserving in brandy or sugar. The tree is said to be remarkably hardy and long lived and seldom attack- ed by the Yellows. Leaves with globose glands ; fruit large, round ; the suture slight, and the swollen point at the top small ; skin white, in- 20 290 THE PEACH. dining to yellow only when over ripe ; dotted with red on the sunny side, or with a light red cheek when fully exposed ; flesh whitish, tender, very melting, full of juice, which is very sweet, luscious, and high flavored ; flowers small. Beginning and middle of September. 52. Lemon Cling. — Floy. Thompson. Down. Kennedy's South Carolina. Pom Man. Long Pine Apple Cling. Ooxe. Pine Apple. Yellow Pine Apple. This is the largest of all the yellow fleshed Clings. It is also the finest and most beautiful of this class. It is a native of South Carolina, and was brought to New York by Mr. Kennedy before the war of the Revolution. There are many seedlings in all parts of the country from this fine variety, but none superior to the original. The tree is a free grower, very hardy and productive. Leaves very long with reniform glands. Fruit large, ob- long, narrowed at the top, and having a large projecting, swollen point, much like that of a lemon ; skin fine yellow, with a dark brownish red cheek ; flesh firm, yellow, slightly red at the stone, adhering firmly, with a rich and sprightly vinous subacid flavor ; flowers small. September. 53. Old Mixon Cling-stone. — Ooxe. Down. Coles. Green Catharine of the Americans. Thomp. One of the highest flavored and most valuable of all peaches known in this country, where it is raised in perfection, and should have a place in every orchard and garden. One of the best American authors says, " We consider this, the Large White Cling, and the Heath Cling, and the Lemon Cling, as including all that are valuable for small collections. This fruit is quite distinct from the Catharine Cling of Europe, or the Old Newington, as a single glance at its leaf glands will show, to say nothing of its superior flavor. It can scarce- ly be the ' Green Catharine of the Americans' of the London Horticultural Society's Catalogue, as that is said to be a poor fruit. We are not familiar with it." Coxe says that the Old Mixon Cling was introduced by Sir John Old Mixon, from Europe. It is more probable that he introduced the stone only. THE PEACH. 291 Leaves with globose glands ; large yellowish-white, dotted with red on a beautiful red cheek ; flesh pale white, very melting and juicy, with an exceeding rich, luscious flavor, one of the highest flavored and most valuable peaches cultivated ; flowers small. Last of August. 54. Red Magdalen. — Large, round and regular, pale yel- lowish green with rich red cheek, firm, melting, juicy, and high flavored ; an excellent variety. Cling. August. 55. Chinese Cling. — Fruit large, roundish oval ; skin transparent, cream color, with marbling of red next the sun ; flesh creamy white, very juicy and melting, with a rich and very agreeable flavor, every orchard should have a few of this variety. 56. Newington, Cling, (English). — One of the best early Cling-Stone peaches. 57. Tippecanoe. — Very large, yellow, with red cheek, juicy and rich — nearly round with a point ; broad cheek, flesh yel- low", of a fine vinous flavor. Rather late for the Northern States ; fine in the South and South-west ; excellent for the table and of superior quality for preserves. Tree vigorous and a great bearer. Reniform glands, small flowers. Matures in the Middle States from the first to middle of October. Farther South first of October. 58. Brenneman Cling. — Large ; skin yellow, with con- siderable red on the sunny side ; flesh yellow, juicy sweet, and high flavored ; very valuable. September. 59. Grand Admirable. — Full medium size; skin white, nearly covered with red ; this is a very nice and good peach, and is an early cling. August. 60. Smith's Newington. — Lind. Thomp. Down. Early Newington — Smith's Early Newington of the English. Early Newington — Coxe. This fine, early cling-stone peach, is of English origin. It is one of the very best early clings. The Early Newington of our orchards is a splendid free-stone (or rather it adheres partially to the stone) ; it has in a measure supplanted this cling-stone. It is also much earlier. Leaves serrated, without glands ; fruit rather above middle 292 THE PEACH. size, oval, narrow at the top, and one half a little enlarged ; skin, pale straw color, with a lively red cheek streaked with purple ; flesh firm, pale yellow, but light red at the stone, to which it adheres closely ; juicy and of fine quality. Middle of August 61. Catharine. — Long. Liyid. P. Mag. Thomp. Down. This is an excellent English variety. Some authors have remarked that this cling cannot be distinguished from the Old Newington, (Smith's) and Old Mixon Cling. But they are distinct varieties, as may be known by the glands of the leaves, which, unerringly, distinguish all varieties. Leaves with reni- form glands; fruit large, roundish, oval; skin pale yellowish green, sprinkled with red dots; flesh yellowish white, dark red at the stone ; cheek bright lively red. Middle of Sept. 62. Orange Cling. — Large, handsome, excellent; resem- bles the Lemon Cling, but richer in flavor and quite a distinct fruit. Leaves serrated, without glands ; fruit large, round ; skin . deep orange with rich dark red cheek ; flesh deep or dark yellow, rather firm, juicy with a delicious, vinous flavor ; small flowers. Early in September. Class IV. — Varieties partially adhering to the stone. 63. Early Tillotson. — This fine early variety which we have already described as a free-stone, is properly of this class. All who wish a fine early peach should cultivate this variety. July. 64. Early Newington, (of the Americans) Newington peach. Doivn. This is a large and exceedingly high flavored peach ; indeed we consider it without a superior at the season of its maturity, which is about the first of August. It is distinct from the other Newingtons, which are perfect clings and much later. If not fully ripe, it adheres to the stone — although it is classed by most authors with free-stone peaches. This partial ad- hesion is a very distinguishing character of this variety. Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit large, round, one half the THE PEACH. 293 fruit always larger ; skin pale, yellowish white, streaked with red, rich red cheek ; flesh white, red at the stone ; rich vinous and juicy. 65. Washington. — Washington Red Free-stone. — Floy. Ken. Down. This is a very handsome and delicious peach ; originated in New York about seventy years ago. The tree is vigorous, hardy and very productive, and it is altogether a most valu- able fruit. Fruit large and broad, somewhat depressed, suture deep, globose glands ; thin yellowish white skin, with a beautiful deep crimson cheek ; flesh pale, rather yellowish, tender, juicy and melting, With a sweet, very rich and luscious flavor. It adheres considerably to the stone, slightly so when very ripe, stone very small ; flowers small. Season first of Sept. 66. Atlanta, New. — Originated by Dr. E. Ware Sylves- ter, of Lyons, Wayne Co., New York. Fruit, according to Elliott, of medium to large size ; skin white, with a dark, almost purplish red cheek; flesh white, juicy, rich, adhering slightly to the stone, of excellent, almost best quality. Class V. — Varieties producing the same from the seed. 61. White Blossomed Incomparable. — P.Man. Thomp. Down. White Blossomed. This is an American fruit, quality not quite so fine as the Snow Peach, which it resembles. The seeds produce the same variety. The flowers, are very white, and the leaves very light green, with reniform glands, wood, pale yellow ; fruit quite large, rather oval ; skin fair, clear, white throughout ; flesh perfectly white to the stone, melting, juicy, very sweet and pleasant ; flowers large. Matures last of August. 68. Hatch. — Coles. This very large, fine, free-stone peach (already described) produces the same from the seed. " We have hundreds of seedlings (we quote Coles) perfectly uniform. 69. Briggs.— (Coles.) Large, flatish round ; suture nearly all round, white, nearly 294 THE PEACH. covered with white red ; flesh white, tinged with red at the stone ; very juicy, of a rich, sweet, slightly vinous flavor ; hardy. Has produced its like from the seed for twenty years. Last of August. (We consider this a valuable variety that does not require the delay and trouble of grafting.) 70. Hale's Melocoton. — Large, medicinal, oblong, flat at the base, slight suture on one side ; bright yellow ; flesh yel- low, of a very sweet and excellent quality. Keeps well ; free-stone ; matures last of August. Produces the same from the seed. 71. Allen's Walpole Melocoton. — Allen's Walpole. Aliens. Small, roundish, white, red cheek, flesh white, very juicy, of pleasant vinous flavor ; hardy and a great bearer. Has been raised for forty years from the seed uniformly true. 72. Tuft's Rareripe. — (Coles.) This valuable free-stone peach (already described) produces invariably the same from the seed. 73. Batchelder. — (Coles.) Large, round, white, with a deep blush ; flesh white, melt- ing, juicy, very pleasant, rich, vinous flavor. Should be well ripened on the tree ; very hardy ; produces crops when many others fail ; reproduces itself uniformly from the seed. We have young trees all uniform and the same as the parents. (Our authority for this is Mr. Coles of the American Fruit Book.) 74. Heath Cling. — White Heath Cling, White English, Eliza Thomas, White Grlobe, Henrietta, etc., etc. This is the most delicious and superb of all seedlings, (already described.) It is a native of Maryland from seed brought from the Mediterranean. It is still propagated from the stone, generally with undeviating sameness, which renders the tree more hardy and durable than if grafted, and adds greatly to the value of this splendid fruit. 75. Columbia. — Coxe. (Already described. This fine yellow free-stone peach was originated by Mr. Coxe, from a seed brought from Georgia. In consequence of its rough and thick skin, it is rather too much for the curculio, THE PEACH. 295 and is in a great degree exempt from his depredations. Its value is also greatly enhanced from the fact that it is one of the best varieties that reproduces itself invariably from the seed. 76. Lemon Cling-. — Synonym. Pine Apple, Kennedy s Caroline, Early L. Cling. This is a native of South Carolina, and the finest, most beautiful and largest of all yellow fleshed clings. Reproduces the same from seed. 77. Old Mixon Cling. — This is one of the finest and highest flavored of all white flushed peaches known in this country. Always the same from the seed. 78. Hartshorn. — Coles. Large, roundish, oval; rich, yellow, deep blush; flesh has a peculiar coarse grain, that fits it admirably for preserves. Sacharine and pleasant ; produces the same from the seed ; from first to middle October. BLOOD PEACHES. 79. Blood Cling. — Floy. Down. An extremely large and peculiar fruit, much esteemed for pickling and preserving, to which it is well adapted. Flesh Note.—" The Heath (says Mr. H. C. Williams, of Falls Church, Fair- fax county, Va.) has been in my father's family for more than seventy years, grown all the time from the seed. There are other varieties of peaches, such as the Columbia, Old Mixon Cling, etc., whose individual character is so strongly impressed upon them that they appear to refuse a union with others, and hence they will almost invariably, or in a great majority of cases, reproduce themselves from their own kernels. In Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas, the Heath is called the u English Peach" from the circumstance that Col. Hamilton, who is mentioned in Lee's memoirs as an officer in the Revolutionary war, and afterwards Consul at Norfolk, having brought stones of this peach from Scotland, distributed them among his old neighbors in Caswell or Person county, North Carolina, where he had been a merchant previous to the war. Cox ascribes the introduction of this peach from the Mediterranean to a Mr. Heath. The two peaches are identically the same, and its con- stant habit of reproducing itself without variation, proves its universal popularity, and tends to confirm the history of its appearance in this country at two points remote from each other. A Heath seedling makes the best stock for budding of any of our fine varieties." 296 THE PEACH. very red, like that of the beet ; skin very downy, and of a dark gray or purplish color ; very firm and juicy, adheres closely to the stone ; tree vigorous and grows fast and large ; leaves very large with reniform glands ; flowers small ; fruit sub-acid, keeps well ; early in September. This is an Ame- rican seedling raised many years ago from the French Blood Cling-Stone Or Claret. 80. Blood Free-Stone. — This is a French variety, nearly of the same flower and description of the Blood Cling. It is pleasant, sub-acid and very juicy, better to eat than the Cling, and is used for the same purposes. Matures about the first or middle of September. The leaves have no glands. 81. Indian Blood. — Large, dark claret, with deep red veins, downy, flesh deep red, very juicy, vinous and refresh- ing. Middle August, in Ga. Originated in the South. DWARF PEACHES. 82. Italian Dwarf. — (Hermitage, Richmond Nurseries.) Medium size, whitish green, rich and juicy ; bears early, and reaches the height of five feet. It is both ornamental and useful ; free-stone. August. 83. Van Buren and Golden Dwarfs — Hermitage and Richmond Nurseries. Fruit large, yellow skin, with red cheek , flesh yellow, sub- acid and fair quality ; foliage dense and pretty ; cling-stone. August. Generally grows to the height of four or five feet. CURIOUS AND ORNAMENTAL VARIETIES. 84. The Double Blossomed. — Thomp. Double Flower- ing Peach, Bon. Jard. Rose Flowering, 0. Duk. Down. The Double Blossomed peach, when in full bloom, is a gay and very beautiful tree. The great profusion of large showy flowers, resembling small roses, is a most lovely and exquisitely beautiful sight ; and should be placed beside the Double Flow- ering Cherry, as a gay rival, in all pleasure grounds and ornamental gardens. The blossoms of this peach are at least three times the size of the common peach, of a brilliant rose THE PEACH. 297 color, "nearly full double," and so thickly spread on the branches as to exhibit their blushing loveliness to the greatest advantage. The tree blooms at the usual season. Some prefer bud- ding this variety on the Mirabelle or the Cherry Plum stock, in order to render it more dwarf. 85. Weeping Peach. — Reed's Weeping Peach. Down. This singular, pendant, weeping variety, whose branches very much resemble:- the weeping ash, was originated near New York City. In order to display it to advantage it is best to graft it, six or eight feet high, on the clean stem of a peach or plum stock. The leaves have reniform glands, and flowers very large. 86. Pyramidical. — Grows to a height of twenty feet in a compact form, like the Lombardy Poplar. This is highly ornamental. 87. Van Buren's Dwarf. — Somewhat in the style of the Italian Dwarf. Fruit yellow, cling, very pretty and useful. 88. Flat Peach op China. — land. Thomp. Down. The Flat Peach of China, "is more curious than beautiful." It is a very singular variety with small fruit, about two inches in diameter, and so flattened at the ends that only the skin and the flat stone remain, the fleshy part being crowded on either side. The tree is rather dwarfish, and the leaves re- main very late. The fruit is of good flavor and is desirable in the gardens of the amateur and the curious. This peach is sometimes called " China Peach, Jarva Peach, Peen To." Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit small, flattened so much as to form a deep hollow at both ends ; having at the top a singular, broad, rough, fine angled eye. Skin pale yellowish green, mottled with red on one side. Flesh pale yellow, with a circle of red round the stone, (from which it separates), sweet, juicy, with a slight noyeau flavor. Last of August. Flowers large. The two dwarfs, just described, are also highly ornamental, and should adorn the gardens and orchards of the curious. These, however, are really useful as well as ornamental. 298 THE PEACH. NEW VAEIETIES— in 1869. Mr. Elliott, of Ohio, who is high authority in peach culture, says, " Of new varieties of American or foreign origin, I learn only of the following as especially worthy of record:" 89. Prince of Wales. — A seedling, grown by Thos. Rivers, England, from the seed of the Pitmaston Orange Nectarine, and has this } r ear fruited in this country by James H. Rick- ets, of Newburgh, New York, an enterprising and enthusiastic fruit cultivator. The tree is a fine grower; fruit of medium size; free-stone; ripe early in September (in New York). 90. Princess op Wales. — This is also a seedling, by Thos. Rivers, England. Grown from the seed of Pavie de Pompone, and, like the Prince of Wales, has been first fruited in this country by Mr. Rickets. The tree is a free grower; the fruit is of full medium size, often almost large ; flesh white ; free- stone; ripens last of September. 91. Salway. — This is another foreign variety that, although not specially new, appears to have characteristics to make it a valuable market variety. The tree is a vigorous grower. In size, the fruit is large or very large ; the flesh orange color; free-stone; matures very late, even into the middle of' October; hence, taken with its extra size and high color, it promises a valuable sort for marketing in the South and West. 92. Richmond. — Fruit large, skin yellow and red, free- stone, and promising of value for market. Propagated by Dr. E. W. Sylvester, of New York. The fruit has less acid than Crawford's Early. 93. Atlanta. — Fruit of medium to large size; skin white, with a dark, almost purple-red cheek; flesh white, adhering slightly to the stone. Of excellent and almost best quality. 94. Foster. — Originated near Boston — has not been figured or described, although it has received premiums. It some- what resembles Crawford's Late, but (at the North) considered a better fruit, and ripens about the same time. Note. — All the above new fruits are figured and more fully described in that excellent periodical, "The American Horticultural Annual," Orange Judd & Co., New York city. 1870. THE PEACH. 299 SOUTHERN AND WESTERN PEACHES — REVISED CATALOGUE. Selected from the Catalogue of the Committeee of Revision, present- ed and accepted at the meeting of the American Pomological So- ciety, held at Richmond, Va., in September, 1871. NAMES. * Amelia) Baldwin's Late fChinese Cling Cole's Early Red... Crawford's Early.. Crawford's Late."... Druid Hill Early Fillotson Eaton's Golden.... Geo. the Fourth... Grosse Mignonne Hale'sEarly Heath Cling Did. Blood Cling.. Lady Parham. Large Early York. Lemon Cling Morris' White Old Mixon Free... Old Mixon Cling.. Smock Susquehanna Stump the World. Yellow Rareripe... Yellow St. John... DESCRIPTION. Z' ni.j.r j. m. ]• v. ni.j.r, .1- v. j- 'v. m.j.r m.j.r s.j. m.j.r. s. j. h. m.j.r. s. j. h. j- v. j- v. s.j. h. j- v. m. j. r. s.j.h. m.j.r. j- v. s.j. V. s.j.h. j- v. s.j. E. l! M: V E M. L. V L VE L. M. M. VE VL L. VL VE L. M. M. M. L. M. L. E. VE Embracing Cen. Div bet. 35° and 42°, and South Div. bet. 28° & 35°. pica in "S H'ii sa .a _ , O I CD o o o oo o oo o o The columns explain : Size 1, large ; m., medium ; s., small. Class, P., freest me ; O, clingstone. Color, relative to flesh, w., white or pale colored; v., yellow or yellowish; g,, greenish white, red at the stone. Quality, m. j. r., melting, juicy, rich; s.j., sweet and juicy; s. j. h.> sweet, juicy, and high flavored. Glands — s., serrated without glands ; g., glands globose ; v., glands reniform. Season — those designated as early, ripen in latitude 43°, previous to or about Sept. 1st; medium, those ripening from the 1st. to the 15th. of Sept., and late those after period; E., early; M. medium; L., late ; V. E., very early; V. L., very late. Origin — Am. American, F. Foreign. One *or ° designates recommended, two ** or °° gives the character or superiority for family and market use. * This originated in South Carolina, and differs from the Missouri Amelia. f Berchmans thinks it is the same as Shanghae. 300 THE PEACH. NEW FOREIGN VARIETIES— Highly Recommended. Belle Beauce, Early Silvers, Belle Couquete, Early Victoria (Rivers), Belle Done, Pucelle de Malines, Chevreuse Hative, Raymackers, Early Albert (Rivers), Vineouse. SELECT CATALOGUES OF VARIETIES. Having arranged the nomenclature and description of the various sorts and modifications of the best known varieties of the peach, it also becomes necessary to furnish the orchardist with catalogues, suitable not only for the different purposes to which the fruit may be applied, or used, but also to furnish lists adapted to the different soils and climates most congenial to the growth of the tree and the development of its fruit. This we have taken much pains to accomplish, and hope we have succeeded in a manner that will be considered both judi- cious and appropriate. The elements of a good peach list, says a modern author, • should combine only a few varieties of the most hardy, healthy, handsome, good, large, portable peaches — ripening in succession from the first of July to the middle of October — extending in succession some four months. In accordance with these views we present the following list of the best varieties for general cultivation, for market and home consumption, throughout the South and Southwestern States, as well as portions of the Western States, which, ac- cording to the best of our judgment and information, are com- prised in the following list. By a proper selection from this list, the peach season may be extended from the first of July to the middle of October; and, when the Heath Cling and Baldwin's October, as late varieties, are selected, which keep in a good state of preservation a month after gathering, nearly five months may be counted for the duration of the peach season. THE PEACH. 301 VARIETIES SUITABLE FOR GENERAL CULTIVA- TION.* Early Tillotson and Hale's Early ; early in July. Froth's Early and Malta ; middle of July. Honey peach; early in July — June, in South Carolina. Yellow Rareripe and Early York ; last of July. Anna Ruffin ; July. Large Early York and Royal George ; first of August. George the Fourth; August. Columbia, or Georgia peach ; middle to last of August. Snow peach, Late Admirable, and Heath Free-stone; last of August. Chinese Cling and Crawford's Early; August. Susquehanna; August and September. Druid Hill; First of September. Old Mixon Cling; September. Old Mixon Free and Morris' White; first of September. • Lemon Cling; middle of September, South Carolina. Red Cheeked Melocoton ; September. Ward's Late; middle of September. Grosse Mignonne or Royal Kensington ; first of Sept- Crawford's Late; September. Coolridge's Favorite and George the Fourth; first Sept. Monstrous Pavie — late (Southern States). Noblesse and Morris' Red Rareripe; September. Smock's Free-stone; last of September. Heath Cling; first of October. Eaton's Golden Cling, Lagrange, Tippacanoe, Blood Cling, and Henrick's Heath; October. Parker's Late; 10th October (cling). Baldwin's October. * Although this list may approximate as near as any that could be maie for general cultivation in the South, yet we are aware that no such list can succeed generally through- out even this State (Virginia). Varieties that are best in the Piedmont and Western portion will not succeed in Tide-water Virgihia, and vice versa. There must be special lists for the different localities, as it regards the peach — and the same may be said of the Summer and early Fall apples. 302 THE PEACH. SELECT PEACHES ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATES OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST . VIRGINIA AND N. CAROLINA, FOR A SUCCESSION. Hale's Early, Fay's Early Ann, Crawford's Early, Early Tillotson, Red Rareripe, Yellow Rareripe, Morris' White (preserving), Grosse Mignonne, George the IV., similar to Large Early York. Columbia (Georgia peach, In- dian peach), Snow Peach, Smock's Free, Lemon Cling, S. S. (beautiful blossoms and fruit), Ken- nedy s Cling, Washington, Old Mixon Cling, Ward's Late, Crawford's Late, Susquehanna, White Heath Cling (for pre- serves), White Magdalen, Red Magdalen, Jeweler, Alberge's Yellow, Old Mixon Free, Red Cheeked Melocoton, Lagrange, Eaton's Golden Cling, Heath Cling, Baldwin's October. SELECT PEACHES FOR MARKET, ADAPTED TO THE LATITUDE OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, Ac. Large Early York, Haine's Early, Druid Hill, Lemon Cling — Kennedy 's Cling, Fay's Early Ann, Morris' Red Rareripe, George the IV., Columbia, We are indebted to Messrs. Henrick's Heath, Old Mixon Free, Smock, or St. George, Heath Cling, Old Mixon Cling, Early and Late Crawford, Yellow Rareripe, Lagrange, Baldwin's October (Georgia). Harris & Wallis, of the Coves- Note. — For market purposes, large, high-colored fruits bring the highest prices. Clings are not so well adapted to distant markets. THE PEACH. 803 ville Nurseries, Albemarle County, Va., for valuable aid iu arranging these lists. They can furnish all the varieties of peaches, as well as apples. SELECT PEACHES, ADAPTED TO THE STATES SOUTH OF NORTH CAROLINA. Heath Cling, Monstrous Pavie. Blood Cling (pickling and preserving). Kennedy's Cling, South Carolina. Blood Free-stone, Fr. [Sanguinole, Sanguine). Old Mixon Cling, White Cling (large). Orange Cling, large, deep orange, excellent. Late Admirable {Teton de Venus). Lemon Cling (native of South Carolina). Columbia — Indian, or Georgia peach (market). Grosse Mignonne (origin France). George the IV., Early Tillotson (market). Early Ann (English), very early. Druid Hill (market), Bellegarde, Walters' Early. Morris' Red Rareripe, Morris' White (White Rareripe). Lagrange, Honey Peach (origin S. C), very valuable. Jacque's Rareripe (yellow), Smock Free. Walburton Admirable (late English). Late Heath, free; White Melocoton. * Pace, or Tinsley (seedling), often 13 inches circumference; Baldwin's October, free; October to middle of November. Snow Peach, Dulany (a seedling from the Heath). Hunter; September. (Shape and size of large Early York.) * These arc fine Georgia peaches, and are extensively cultivated near Clarksville, Habersham county, in place of Northern varieties. The first is a magnificent fruit, often weighing over a pound. The second is also a native seedling, ripening its fruit from the last of October to middle of November, with the unusual property of keeping sound until December. (These fruits are worthy of general cultivation.) No region of coun- try upon the globe can exceed Georgia and portions of Mississippi in the perfection of their peaches. The burning sun developing the fine saccharine qualities of this delicious fruit to the highest degree. Even the yellow-fleshed varieties are sweet and savory, with o nly so much acid as to be grateful to the taste. Early peaches from South Carolina and Georgia may be put in Northern markets at least four weeks earlier than from their own orchards, as the peach ripens in the middle portions of these States by the 10th of June. 304 THE PEACH. Clark's Early (originated near St. Louis). St. Louis — a large native yellow peach (market). "Walter's Early, Cole's Early, pale fleshed free-stones. Old Mixon Free (pale fleshed). Lagrange, President. George the IV. (market). Morris' Red Rareripe (market). Royal Kensington, Bergen's Yellow, Troth's Early, Yellow Rareripe, Chinese Cling, Crawford's Late, Early Chelmsford, Susquehanna, Coolridge's Favorite, Crawford's Early, Catawba, Lady Parham, Iron House, Van Zandt's Superb, Bradford's Free, Noblesse, Cromwell's Yellow, Large White English Cling, Grand Turk, Delcis Cling, Eaton's Golden Cling, Nix's Late, Cox's October. SELECT PEACHES FOR MARKET, ADAPTED TO EX- TREME SOUTHERN LATITUDES.* Early Tillotson, Honey Peach, Early York, Columbia, Early Ann, Kennedy's Cling, Walter's Early, Pace, or Tinsley, Druid Hill, Snow Peach, Old Mixon Free, Morris' Red Rareripe, George the IV., Heath Cling, Lemon Cling, Baldwin's October, Smock Free, Nix's Late, Iron House, Lady Parham. Chinese Cling, *As far south as Florida the peach tree is long-lived, healthy and vigorous, and is never subject to injuries from thepeac^ worm, or the diseases which so universally afflict the fruit in the Northern and Western States. The most delicious peaches may be raised almost without care, by every family, and in abundance sufficient even for the economical feeding of swine. The earliest varieties of this fruit ripening in the begin- ning of June, and the latest sorts continue until late in August. The earliest and the latest varieties should be chosen for cultivation in Florida, as the rainy season com- mences in July and continues throughout that month, causing much of the maturing fruit to crack. THE PEACH. 305 CHOICE PEACHES FOE A GARDEN OR SMALL OR- CHARD, FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION AND FOR A SUCCESSION. Early Tillotson, Early Yellow Rareripe, Hale's Early, Delce's Cling, Early Newington, Morris' Red Rareripe, Royal George, President, Crawford's Early, Lemon Cling, Noblesse, Crawford's Late, Royal Kensington, Columbia, Tippecanoe, Heath Cling, Old Mixon Free, Baldwin's October, Morris' White, Nix's Late. W. C. Flagg, of Illinois, in an essay on peaches, says that from his experience and observation the variety with the fewest objections is the Old Mixon Freestone; and that for a list of four market varieties which will nearly cover the season, and against which few objections can be urged, he names : Troth's Early, Old Mixon Freestone, Large Early York, Smock Freestone. Barry recommends for a succession from August 1st to October, in eastern and western latitudes : Early Tillotson, Crawford's Early, Early York, Jacques, Haines' Early Red, White Imperial, Coolridge, Lemon Clingstone, Yellow Alberge, Large White Clingstone. THE ELMWOOD LIST FOR CULTIVATION SOUTH. The following valuable list, prepared by Mr. Jas. Stewart, of the Elmwood Nurseries, Memphis, Tennessee, may be relied on, to run through the season, as among the best and most profitable for the orchardists of that section : Early Tillotson. — The finest and most profitable of all 21 80b THE PEACH. the early peaches. You can, for shipment, gather the entire crop on the last of June. Early York. — Somewhat larger than the Tillotson. It can be shipped on the 10th of July, and be eaten for fifteen days longer. Iron House. — Can be shipped on the 15th of July, and in eating for ten days longer. This tree originated with the late Win. Armour, in middle Tennessee. It was planted by his iron house — hence its name. It is large, dark yellow color, of the highest excellence, both in flavor and appearance. It is regarded as the finest of all that class of peaches of its season. Morris' Red. — Well known, and good everywhere. Van Zandt's Superb. Bradford's Free. Early Newington. Noblesse. George the Fourth. — All first class fruits here. Chinese Cling. — This can be shipped on the 20th July, and in eating the 1st of August. I regard this as the finest I have ever seen globe. Size, very large ; color, light green, marbled and streaked with red; flavor surpassingly grand. Leaves, habit and growth, very distinct. For profit or any other purpose, this fruit, in our climate, leaves all others in the shade. Old Mixon Cling. — Is ready for shipping by the 1st of August. This old variety will ever be popular; it is one of the very best peaches of its season. Cromwell's Yellow, Grosse Mignonne, Crawford's Late, Buckner's Red, Flewellen, Stump the World, Rodman's Cling, Red Magdelene, Each a favorite. Morris' White. — This is truly a noble variety; color creamy white; very large, and in general appearance very attractive. In shipping order the 1st of August. Large White English Cling. — A distinct peach of great THE PEACH. 307 excellence, and, in every way as desirable as the above for any purpose. Druid Hill. — In shipping order the middle of August. This, though not as fine in appearance, is nevertheless, one, if not the very finest of its season. Late Admirable. Lemon Cling. Grand Turk. — This splendid peach originated ten miles south of Memphis. Large, and of very dark blood color; skin beautifully marbled with green. Delce's Cling. — In shipping order on the 25th of August. This fine variety originated with Major Bradford, of. Browns- ville, Tennessee; in appearance and quality it resembles the famous and well known White Cling Heath — good every where. White Cling Heath. — This comes in order about the 1st of September. It is so universally known I need say nothing about it. Lagrange. — Regarded here as one of our very best ; ripen- ing about the 15th of September. A most magnificent variety for shipping, and beautiful appearance in market. In color and appearance it is about the same as the Heath tribe. Eaton's Golden Cling. — For a change in color, we now add Eaton's Golden Cling; a most beautiful golden yellow, ripening about the same time with the Lagrange. Lady Parham. — Latter end of September; very excellent. Nix's Late. — Matures about the 10th of October. Quality the very best. "Both the latter varieties resemble the Heath, and are the very best to run you through the entire season, and wind up the list. The above is the result of long expe- rience and close observation. As they have fruited, grown, matured, and proved themselves with me, so they are here briefly described to you." "Any one planting this succession may rest assured that they will not be disappointed, although I must say there are other varieties which, for amateur purposes, may be prefer- able. The Noblesse, for instance, an exceedingly tender and most deliciously flavored fruit, is, by many, esteemed the most 308 THE PEACH. luscious and excellent of all peaches. Also, the Grosse Mig- nonne is hardly surpassed in this latitude, though not so attractive in appearance." It is well to recollect that situation, climate, latitude, soil, and even circumstances, have something to do in the produc- tion of the high qualities of this delicious fruit which is at home in the uplands of all southern countries. BERKMANS' LIST— AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. The following select list was furnished us by Mr. P. J. Berkmans, Augusta, Georgia. We consider it very valuable for that region, and well adapted to other southern latitudes: FREESTONES. Amelia. — Synonyms, Stroman's Carolina, Orangeburg, Rayzers, June, etc. Very large, conical, white, nearly cov- ered with crimson ; juicy and high flavored, vinous, sweet. It is too tender to stand long carriage; but as a peach for home consumption it is truly magnificent; July 1st to 10th. Baldwin's Late. — Large, oblong, greenish white, with red cheek ; juicy and well flavored ; October 10th. Bergen's Yellow. — Large, round, skin yellow, covered with dark red; flesh yellow; juicy, sweet, high flavored; July 10th. Columbia. — Synonyms, Pace, Tinsley's Superb, St. Ste- phens, Yellow Indian, etc. Crawford's Early. — First of July. Crawford's Late. — Middle of July. Early York, serrated. — End of June. Early York (Large). — July 10th. Early Tillotson. — June 15th to 25th. Grosse Mig-nonne. — Middle of July. Hale's Early. — Ripe specimens were gathered here on the 10th of June. Late Admirable. — Syn. Teton de Venus, etc. Ripe July 20th. Note. — Mr. B. says, to prevent the attack of the borer, " hill up the trees in April and leave off again in November. If any eggs are by chance deposited, they can be easily destroyed." THE PEACH. 309 Late Rareripe. — About 1st August. CD Lady Parham. — Medium, skin greenish white, seldom with any red, flesh white, juicy, . vinous, highly flavored ; a first rate late variety. Beginning of October. Lagrange. — Middle and end of August. Old Mixon Free — Middle to end of July. Osceola. — Large, golden yellow, with orange cheek, with a few red' veins ; flesh golden yellow, sweet, buttery, and with an apricot flavor ; belonging to the Indian type. Beginning of September. Picquett's Late. — Very large, yellow, with red cheek ; flesh yellow, buttery, rich, sweet, and of the highest flavor. Originated by Antoine Picquett, Esq., Belair Georgia, and a most valuable acquisition. 1st Sept. Red Cheek Melocoton. — Ripe middle July. Stump the World. — Very large white, with bright red cheek ; flesh white, juicy and of good flavor, stands carriage well and a fine market variety. July 20th and lasts three weeks. Susquehannah. — End of July. Troth's Early. — Almost identical with Early Tillotson. Ripens three or four days later. CLING STONES. Austin's Late Red. — Large, white, with red cheek, flesh white, juicy, vinous, and well flavored. Middle of October. Bagby's. — Large, white juicy ; tree of slender growth. Middle August. Bordeaux. — Large, yellow, with a faint red cheek, flesh yellow, rather coarse, but of good flavor, very showy. Ripe July 20th. Chinese. — Splendid in our climate. Demming's September. — Large, oblong, with a protuber- ance, yellow, with red cheek ; flesh yellow, red near the stone ; juicy, vinous and excellent; resembles the Lemon Cling. Middle September. Elmyra. — Large, white, nearly covered with red ; flesh white and red near the stone, juicy, good. July 15th. 310 THE PEACH. Eaton's Golden. — Medium, skin golden yellow, with occa- sionally a few pink spots ; flesh yellow, sweet, juicy, with apricot flavor. Middle of September. Flewellen — Large, deep red, with deeper red veins ; flesh red and juicy, vinous, very good : belongs to the Indian type ; most beautiful and showy. July 20th. Heath Red. — Large, oblong, skin creamy white, with red wash, flesh juicy, vinous and well flavored, red near the stone. August 25th. Heath Late White. — Syn. Heath, (Coxe), Heath Oling- Stone, Fine Heath, White English, JEliza Thomas, Patter's September, Rawy Peach, White Grlobe, Henriette, etc., etc. September. Large, rich, superb. Indian Blood. — Large, dark claret, Avith deep red veins ; downy, flesh deep fed, very juicy, vinous and refreshing. Middle of August. Newington Cling. — Syn. Old Newington Qling, (Lang., Lind., Thomp.) Newington, (Parkenson.) Large Neivington, (Coxe.) Flesh separates partially from the stone. This is a very large, handsome, and excellent old English peach ; has been in cultivation some 200 years. Nix's Late White. — Large, oblong, white, slightly tinged with red, downy, flesh white, juicy, and of fair quality ; -fine for preserving. Middle to the end of October. Old Mixon Cling. — End of July. Pine Apple. — Syn. Lemon Qling, Kennedy's Carolina, Allison, Early Lemon Cling, etc., etc. Middle of August. Tinley's October. — Medium, white with a wash of red ; flesh white, juicy, and of high flavor. Middle of October. LIST FOR THE VICINITY OF ATHENS, GA. An extensive peach-grower, near Athens, Georgia, at the request of the Editor of the "Athens Southern Cultivator," has furnished the following very valuable list of desirable peaches, suited to that locality, which, doubtless, will answer for many other portions of the South. THE PEACH. 311 EREE-STONE. Hale's Early, Early Tillotson, Troth's Early ; June. Red Rareripe, Amelia ; July 1st to 10th. Walter's Early, Washington Free, white, George the IV., Early Admirable, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Early, yellow ; 10th July to 20th. Morris' White, White Imperial ; 20th to 30th July. Green Catharine, Walter's Late, Old Mixon Free, Late Admirable, Heath Free, Brevoorts Morris, Bloodgood's L. Green, Chevreuse Tardine ; about 1st August. Late Rareripe, Crawford's Late, Rose Hill Seedling, Stump the World ; about 1st August. President, Pace, Ward's Late Free; Last of August. Lagrange, Picquett's Late, President Church, Smock ; Sep- tember 1st to 10th. Baugh, Edward's Late, Baldwin's October, Lady Parham ; about 12th October. CLINGS. Georgia Cling, Chinese ; July 15th. Congress, Large White Cling, Old Mixon, Baltimore Rose Lemon Cling. Tippecanoe Cling, Washington ; August 1st. Donnahoo, Demming's September, Catawba, Eater's Golden Cling ; September. Dabney's, Hulls' Athenian, Austin's Late Red, Gaither's, Late, Nix's Late ; October. PRESIDENT ALLAN'S SELECT LIST. The annexed list of first class fruit, furnished by request, expressly for this work, by J. M. Allan, President of the Virginia Horticultural and Pomological Society, and Horti- cultural editor of the " Southern Planter and Farmer," Rich- mond, Va., is very valuable. It is intended more particularly for the Tide-water district of Virginia, but will answer for many other sections. Hale's Early, free-stone ; July and August. Note.— The first twelve only, on the above list, should be selected for Northern mer- chants. 312 THE PEACH. Troth's Early ; middle July. Early York, free-stone ; July and August. Early N ewington ; August. Alberge's Yellow, (Yellow Rareripe) ; July and August. Crawford's Early, George the Fourth, Royal Hensington, Red Rareripe, free-stones ; August. Morris' White, free-stone ; August and Sept. Crawford's Late, Old Mixon, Red Cheeked Melocoton, Teton de Yenus, free-stones, Tippecanoe, cling, Lemon Cling, Ward's Late, Old Mixon Cling, President ; Sept. White Heath Cling ; Sept. and October. DWARF PEACHES. Italian Dwarf, free-stone; August. Van Buren's Golden Dwarf, cling-stone ; Sept. SELECT PEACHES FOR THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA. The order observed here constitute a valuable succession of sorts, from August to October, which are esteemed for all purposes. Hale's Early ; first to middle of August. Cole's Early Red, Early York, (serrate), Early Newington ;. middle of August. Fay's Early Ann ; August. George the IV., Grosse Mignonne, (English,) Coolidge's Favorite, Troth's Early ; end of August. Bergen's Yellow ; beginning of Sept. Alberge Yellow, (Yellow Rareripe) ; early Sept. Crawford's Early, Brevoort's Morris ; beginning of Sept. Snow Peach ; beginning to middle Sept. Jacques, Rareripe, Old Mixon, free-stone; middle Sept. Morris' White, Scott's Nonpareil, (New Jersey), Red Cheek- ed Melocoton ; middle to end Sept. Old Mixon Cling, Susquehanna, Stump the World, (New Jersey) ; end of Sept. Crawford's Late. THE PEACH. 313 Pool's Large Yellow ; beginning of October. Lemon Cling ; late for preserving. Tippecanoe Cling ; beginning of Oct. Lagrange ; late, valuable for preserves. Blood Cling, Carpenter's White ; October. White Heath ; very late for some locations. SELECT LIST FOR THE TIDE-WATER AND OTHER PORTIONS OP MARYLAND. (President Allan's List is well adapted to this region, to which may be added the following very fine varieties.) Early Tillotson ; 15th to 25th July. Columbia ; late in August. Chinese Cling ; August. Heath Free-stone ; beginning Sept. Honey Peach ; Last July. Grosse Mignonne ; August. Druid Hill ; Sept. Late Admirable ; early in Sept. Noblesse ; Sept. Lrage Early York ; early in August. Morris' White, Snow Peach ; last of August. Monstrous Pompone ; Sept. Royal George ; August. Susquehanna ; Sept. Lagrange ; last Sept. Parker's Late ; 10th October. Baltimore Beauty ; first of August. WOODSON'S GREEN RIVER LIST— Ky. The following catalogue of select peaches, adapted to the Green River, and other sections of Kentucky, has been furn- ished us by Mr. A. C. Woodson, of the Green River Nurseries, Hart county, Kentucky ; together with his apple list, insert- ed in another part of this work. We are under many obliga- tions to Mr. W., for his catalogue of superior fruit. Old Mixon Free, Smock's Late Free,' 314 THE PEACH. Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, Grand Admirable, Stump the World, Hale's Early, Cole's Early, Early Tillotson, George the IV., Early Newington, Hopkinsville, Morris' Late, Grand Admirable, Catharine Cling, Columbia, Van Zandt's Superb, Ward's Late Free, Bindford, White Heath Cling, Breckenridge, Heath Free, Grosse Mignonne, Van Buren, Golden Dwarf, Stump the World, Shanghai Cling, Pope's Cling, White Point Cling, C hapline* Jerries Seedling, \ Ky.. Allen Cling, White Heads, Bed Heath, Nix, Late. LIST BY THE KENTUCKY STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY— 1869. President, Laivrence Young, Louisville. Early Tillotson, Catharine, Breevort Morris, Ward's Late Free, Grand Admirable, Grosse Mignonne, * This elegant new peach, is a mixture of Indian and White Cling — size variable but generally large. Flesh and skin beautifully streaked with red, with sweet, rich, luscious flavor. Origin, Hart comity, Ky. Mature in August. t This new variety resembles the Hopkinsville. • "Very large, flavor superb ; free-stone. Origin, Hart county, Ky. August. Note. — With other sensible remarks Mr. Woodson warns those who are about to engage in fruit culture, not to depend too much on new, untried sorts, whose qualities and value are not well established ; but recommend those who intend planting an orchard to rely mainly on old and well tried varieties. He says also, if you want fruit, buy only accli- mated fruit stock. Note. — We are indebted to Mr. Woodson for a copy of the list. THE PEACH. 315 White Heath, Red Rareripe, George IV. Tippacanoe, Early Newington, , Sidock's Late Free, Ky. Heath Free, Crawford's Late, Lagrange, Hopkinsville, Van Zandts, superb, Cole's Early, Hale's Early, Old Mixon Free. Columbia, PIEDMONT SELECT LIST— GA. (Between Tide-water and the Blue Ridge 3fountains.) FREE-STORES. Hale's Early, Troth's Early, Honey Peach, Early York ; July. Early Newington, Crawford's Early, Grosse Mignonne, George the IV, Newington Early, free, Columbia, Large Early York, Red Rareripe, Morris' White Rareripe, Malta, Noblesse, Royal Hensington ; August. Bergen's YelloAV, Crawford's Late, Druid Hill, Heath Free, Old Mixon Free, Teton de Venus, Ward's Late Free, Late Admirable, Lagrange, Snow Peach ; September. Baldwin October, Lady Parham ; October. PARTIALLY ADHERING. Early Tillotson, Early Newington, Washington, Atlantic; July and August. CLING-STONE. Chinese Cling, Red Magdalene ; August. Lemon Cling, Tippecanoe, Blood Peach, Indian Blood, White Heath, Nix Late ; September and October Clings. AMATEURS SPECIAL LIST. Nutmeg, white, Early Tillotson, Early Anne, Grosse Mignonne, Columbia, Freestone Heath, Hale's Early, Baltimore Beauty, Noblesse, Double Blossom Peach, 316 THE PEACH. George the IV., Flat Peach of China, Snow Peach, Weeping Peach, Druid Hill, Royal Hensington, Late Red Rareripe, Monstrous Pavie, Honey Peach, Chinese Cling, Troth's Early, Stump the World, Lady Parham, Lemon Cling, Morris' Red Rareripe, Nix, Late White. Yellow Rareripe, LIST OF CHOICE PEACHES— 1869— By F. R. Elliott. The Serrate Early York has received universal favor as one of value, in giving fruit of medium size, and of superior quality, free from defects. Next to this, Troth's Early, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Early, Old Mixon Free-stone, Smock Free, Early Newington, free, Sturt'evant, Crawford's Late, Columbia, Coolridge's Favorite, Heath, Late Admirable, Moore's Red Rareripe, Noblesse, Red Cheek Melocoton, have each had their champions, because of their real and intrinsic value. ADDITIONAL LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF SELECT PEACHES. LATITUDE, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. Free-stones. Canary. — Medium size, pale yellow, flesh yellow, juicy, apricot flavor ; very good ; delicate fruit, too tender for mar- ket; ripe end of June. Fleitus St. John, or Yellow St. John.— Large, round- ish, light yellow, with a bright red cheek, flesh juicy, sweet, and of high flavor; ripens with the Early Tillotson and lasts longer. Lately brought to notice in Louisiana, and promises to be very valuable. Fruitland Seedling. — Very large, oblate, greenish white, with a mottled cheek, flesh greenish white, very juicy, vinous and of good flavor. THE PEACH. 31T Gaylord. — Very good, large, white, with red cheek, flesh white, very juicy, rich, beautiful; middle of August. Origi- nated by Dr. Philips, of Mississippi. Great Eastern. — Very large, (often measuring 14 inches) greenish white, with a slight wash of red, flesh juicy and sweet, sometimes a little coarse; a showy fruit. Originated in the . orchard of J. P. Berkmans' Nurseryman, Augusta, Georgia; July 20th. Julia. — Medium white, with a slight red wash, flesh white, juicy, vinous and good; ripens end of Oct. to 15th Nov. As with all late peaches its quality is modified according to a warm or cold October, Origin, Aiken, South Carolina. Napoleon. — Medium, downy, skin dark red, flesh pink- veined red, juicy, rich; July 20th. Owens' Seedling-. — Medium, white, with a few red veins, flesh pure white, melting and well flavored; 1st to 15th of August. President Church. — Large, yellowish white, with some motling of red on sunny side ; flesh white, a little red near the stone, very juicy, melting, very good; middle of Septem- ber. Origin, Athens, Georgia. Pucelle de Malines. — Medium, skin white, beautifully washed and mottled with carmine, flesh white, sweet and of exquisite aroma ; very superior, but too tender for market. Clingstones. Bletcher's. — Large, white, with red wash, juicy, vinous and very good; July 20th. Duff Yellow.. — Large, white, with red-wash, showy, juicy, vinous, sub-acid, and very good; matures 20th to last of July. Georgia Cling. — Medium, skin white, much covered with red, juicy and very sweet; end of July. Griswold. — Large, white, much covered with red, juicy and very sweet. Goode's October. — Large, skin white, washed and veined with pale red, flesh white, with red veins, juicy, vinous, and finely flavored — of the Indian type; beginning of October. 318 THE PEACH, &C. Mitchell's Mammoth. — Similar to late White Heath ; but a little later. O'Gwynn. — Large, with crimson cheek, juicy, melting, of good flavor; matures early in August. Scott's October. — Medium, pale yellow, flesh yellow, juicy and vinous — very good ; matures early in October. White Pine Apple. — White, with a protuberance — skin white with dark crimson near the base, flesh white, red at the stone, melting, juicy, good; ripe beginning of August. LIST BY THE EDITOR OF THE SOUTHERN HORTI- CULTURIST. (YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI.) Dr. H. A. Swasey, Editor and Proprietor of that excellent periodical, The Southern Horticulturist, Yazoo City, Missis- sippi, has furnished us with the following select list of fine peaches, which, from his personal experience and observation, he confidently recommends for general cultivation in the Southern States. This list of choice varieties for a succession is sufficiently large for most farmers, although it contains but a small portion of the fine sorts that may be profitably culti- vated in most southern regions. We are under many obliga- tions to Dr. Swasey : Early Tillotson, Crawford's Early, Yellow St. John, Bergen's Yellow, Troth's Early, Chinese Cling, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Late, Cole's Early, Old Mixon Cling, Early Chelmsford, Old Mixon Free, Coolidge's Favorite, Susquehanna. Late Admirable, Pride of Autumn, Catawba, Raymond Cling, Smock's Free, Lady Parham, Ward's Late, Baldwin, Heath Cling, Cox's October. Lagrange, THE PEACH, AC. 319 MARKET LIST FOR THE VICINITY OF ATHENS, GA. Free-stone. Hale's Early, Early Tillotson, Troth's Early ; June. Red Rareripe, Amelia; July 1st to 10th. Waller's Early, Washington Free (white), George IV, Early Admirable, Yellow. Rareripe, Crawford's Early, (yellow); July 10th to 20th. Morris' White, White Imperial; 20th to 30th July. Green Catharine, Old Mixon Free, Late Admirable, Heath Free; about 1st of August. Late Rareripe, Crawford's Late, Stump the World; Au- gust 1st to 15th. President, Pace, Ward's Late Free; last of August. Lagrange, President Church; September 1st to 20th. Baugh, Edward's Late; September 5th to 20th. Baldwin, Lady Parham; about 12th October. Clings. Georgia Cling, Chinese Cling; July 15th. Congress, Large White Cling, Old Mixon, Baltimore Rose, Lemon Cling ; July 15th to 1st August. Tippecanoe Cling, Washington Cling; August 1st. Downahoo, Demming's September, Catawba, Eaton's Golden Cling; September. Dabney's, Hull's Athenian, Austin's Late Red, Gaither's Late, Nix's Late White; October. We are indebted to the Southern Cultivator, Athens, Ga., for the above. It was procured from an experienced and re- liable orchardist of that vicinity. It is intended as a list for both home and Northern markets. SELECT APRICOTS. Dubois' Early Golden, Large Early, Purple or Black, Royal, Moorpark or Peach. Red Roman. 320 THE PEACH, &C. SELECT NECTARINES. Golden Cling, Boston, Downton (free-stone), Elruge, Hardwicke, Hunt's Tawry. SELECT FIGS. Celestial, Golden, Lemon, Brunswick, Brown Turkey, White Marseilles. No kind of insects depredate on this delicious fruit. SELECT CHERRIES. May Duke, Early Richmond, Belle de Choisy, Black Tartarian, Belle d' Orleans, Conestoga. PEACH BASKETS AND CRATES. Peach Baskets specially adapted to shipping peaches, to- matoes, and other delicate fruit long distances, may be obtained with or without crates, of the American Basket Company, New Britain, Connecticut, or of the Beecher Basket Company, Westville, Connecticut, who are equally reliable, or of any other companies, most of whom have agencies all through the South for the sale of their crates and baskets. There may be also Southern establishments for their manufacture and sale. These baskets are cheap enough to give away, and are so constructed as to carry the fruit with the least possible injury. They are smooth on the bottom and sides, and have no sharp, cutting edges like ordinary splint baskets, or like the common slat crates (we are speaking more particularly of American companies' baskets), and they cost less than either. They are made of strong white wood, put together with annealed and clinched nails, and corner irons; and are so arranged that the fruit cannot be misplaced or stolen. The packages are suffi- ciently ventilated to secure the fruit from fermentation, and are not so open as to expose it to sand or dust. They are THE PEACH, AC. 321 made of the strongest material, ironed and riveted in a thor- ough, workman-like manner; and the American Basket Com- pany has a new style of hasp or lock. This hasp or lock combines all that is usually required of a padlock, hasp and staple. It is much cheaper, and at the same time neat, con- venient and attractive. As a lock for fruit trees or crates it cannot be surpassed. It can be locked or bolted without using key. (Price $1.50 per dozen.) In using these baskets they should be well filled with the fruit and handsomely rounded. The buyer will always honor a full basket; scant measure is an abomination. The racks that separate the baskets admit of heaping liberally. If heaped when packed, the baskets will be full when they reach market, and will find a ready customer. A NEW WAY TO DRY PEACHES. Dr. Joseph Treat, of Vineland, N. J., givres the following in the Practical Farmer, which he says are new directions for preparing peaches for drying: "Never pare peaches to dry. Let them get mellow enough to be in good eating condition, put them in boiling water for a moment or two and the skins will come off like a charm. Let them be in the water long enough but no longer. The gain is at least six fold. Saving of time in removing the skin, great saving of the peach, part of the peach saved, the best part, less time to stone the peaches, less time to dry them, and better when dried. A whole bushel can be done in a boiler at once, and then the water is turned off. This very morning we had two bushels skinned, stoned (halved), and on the boards long before a quarter of them could even have been peeled." 22 jLiE>:p:r_.:Ej otjlttjs.e. ERRATA. Page 13, second paragraph, 10th line, for variety read varieties. 27, 9th line, for spots read^iofe. 28. second paragraph, 1st line, for making read make. 31, third paragraph, 3rd line, for warmth of read warmth for 34, Angsburg read Augsburg. 44, 13th line, for cottonwick read candlewick. 61, 6th line, for growing read grown. 79 and 82 inadvertent repetition of quotations. Ill, in note, for vines, read rinds. 120, for, Rein ett read Reinelte. 120, for Dornine read Dominie. 125, for stave read starve. 129, second paragraph, for nibbed read nipped. 141, far King of Tompkin's City read King of Tompkin's County. 147, for Grims' read Grimes'. 150, Baldwin should be listed as a fall apple in the South. 151, May Apple, White Jwieating, Early May of the South. 157, for Mason's Pippin read Mason's Stranger. 157, in note, for Norfolk read New York. 19S, last paragraph, for Dr. Teith read Dr. Pilch. PEACH OTT:H.TTJ:R,IEL ERRATA. Page 244, eighth line from bottom, for wood aches read wood ashes. 275, for Montagne read Montague. 279 and elsewhere, for Royal Hensington read Royal Kensington. 282, for Large Yellow York read Large Early York. 284 and 285, for Malacatune and Malagatune read Melocoton. 285, for Molocoton read Melocoton. 286, for Malacoton read Melocoton. 288, Class III omitted at No. 49. 296, No. 83, for Van Buren and Golden read Van Buren's Golden. 301 and elsewhere, for Coolridge read Coolidge. 314 and elsewhere, for Brevort read BrevoorCs. 316, for Fleitus St. John read Fleilas St. John. Note. — The nomenclature of Southern fruit has been in great confusion. Typo- graphical errors remedied in second edition. GENERAL INDEX TO SUBJECTS, APPLE CULTURE. PAGE. Introduction 1 Advice 176 Afterculture.... 90 American Pomological Society — list 143 Additional remarks on preparation of soil 94 Annual bearing trees — list 120 Apparent decline in the growth and productiveness of the Apple Tree 132 Apple tree, its origin. &c 16 American Tent Caterpillar, remedies for 209 Apples for preserving and ornament 147 Apple culture, remarks of Prof.. Didwiddie, University, Va 136 Apple Borer, Round headed 191 " Remedy for 194 Apple Borer, Flat headed 196 Apple worm 197 Apple report, table, scale of 10 177 Apple cellar, or fruitery 181 Apples, Missouri 175 Apples for sandy soils 145 Apples forslaty soils , 145 Apples, other new varieties 143 Author's mode of setting out trees 85 Bandages, use of 125 Barrelling apples for market - 183 Bark lice, remedies for 205 Budding 37 Canker Worm, remedies for 207 Cautions in pruning 103 Cement for grafting 45 Cider vinegar 220 Cider, manufacture of 212 " Recipe for making.. = 218 Codling Moth : 197 " remedies for 201 Compositions and washes 106 324 INDEX. PAGE. Clay for grafting 105 Climbing c it worm , 208 Crab, a disease of the bark. 20 Decayed and hollowtrees, treatment of 22 Disbarking and ringing .' 125 Distance at which trees should be planted, table of 178 Distance between trees in plantations 78 Dwarf trees, what are a... 108 Dwarf standard trees — Dwarf bushes 178 Effect of soil in the modification of fruit 126 Engrafted fruits •. 25 Forking the soil under the trees 91 Forsyth's improved method of curing defects in trees 22 Fruitfulness, modes of inducing 125 Fruit ladders 211 Fruit pickers 211 Fruit drying houses 209 Garden fork, its use in the orchard 87 Gathering, preserving and management of apples 180 Genet apple, origin of the name 143 Grafting, extreme branch grafting 44 Grafting stone fruits 47' Grafting old orchards ; time for grafting ; grafting wax ; setting the graft ; after treament ; varieties 48-51 Grafting and improvement 53 Grafting tools 40 Growth of young trees accelerated, hide bound trees 91 Growth of moss 41 Health and vegetation of trees 22 Hints for Southern fruit-growers 221 Holes for trees 65 Instructions for gathering, barrelling and shipping 183 Insects injurious to the apple tree and its fruit 190 Labels for fruit trees 188 Large apple tree 62 Latent powers of man and the soil 21 Laying off orchards 67 Lime for trees 127 List of cider apples for general cultivation 147 List for tide- water Va., and N. Carolina 144 List of dwarfs for middle regions South 178 INDEX. 325 PAGE. List of late blooming varieties 121 List of early bearing varieties -. 145 List of varieties for sandy soils 145 List of varieties for slaty soils 145 List of varieties for preserving and ornament 1'47 List for the tidewater or maritime districts of the South 147 List for the mountainous sections of the South, Piedmont regions, and upper parts of Maryland, Summer, Fall and Winter vari- eties 150 List for the Valley of Va., West Va., and Southwestern States, including portions of the Western States for a succession, in- cluding some valuable new varieties 160 List of Prof. Saunders, Agricultural bureau, Washington city 172 List, Woodman's for Stanford, Kentucky List for small orchard, or garden 147 List of Southern varieties for general cultivation far South 126 London D. H. fruit merchant, N. Y. city, letter from 183 Locations for orchard 126 Low heads vs. high heads 101 Manure for trees 66 Marking fruit trees 87 Means employed by unskilled farmers to injure their trees , 90 Medications for the wounds of fruit trees 103 Missouri apples 1'5 Moss, remedies for HI Mulching 77 Notched board for setting trees 71 Northern vs. Southern apples 140 Notched board 71 Number of trees to an acre at various distances 177 Nursery for propagating plants and trees 56 Orchard, utility of, extent, situation aspect and soil 58 Overbearing and its remedies 131 Pears, old worthless trees 52 Preparation of the holes or places 72 Piedmont region of Virginia '4 Planting trees , '" Plaster for large wounds 105 Ploughing among fruit trees 90-64 Propagaton of fruits, by planting the leaves, by covering twigs with moss, by seeds, by budding, by grafting 34-40 Pruning, 96; Management of Standards, 97; Time to com- mence, 98, Pruning to favor luxuriant growth, 100: Pruning instruments 1 00 326 INDEX. PA6K. Pruning and Grafting Compositions, 104; Composition cloth, 105; Clay for grafting. 105; White lead 106 Preparation of the trees 74 Preparation of the soil for trees......... ..., 63 Pyramidal trees 75 Qualities of apples 179 Rabbits, Meadow Mice and other bark eaters... 1ST Renovation of fruit and forest trees • 23 Root grafting 47 Scions, how to cut and preserve 185 Shellac composition . 105 Southern varieties 174 Shipping apples......... 183 Southern Winter apples 222 Southwest Mountain section o.f Virginia 61 Spurring in 124 Staking 77 Standard orchard trees 75 Surplus growth of wood of trees 115 Tap roots 130 Thinning fruit 131 The bearing year, Dr. Hull's views 114 Transplanting, 80; general direction '. 82 Training young trees useless in the South 107 " pyramidal, 108; Fan training — , 107 Treatment of trees that have been frozen in packages.. 90 Various manure for fruit trees ' 113 Varieties — what to plant, a puzzling question. 140 Washing, nursing, scraping young trees 22 Warning to the orchardist 141 Wier's codling moth trap 203 PEACH CULTURE. Allan's list, President Virginia Hort'l Society 311 American Pomological Society s List 299 Athens List — Georgia. 310 Berckmans' List — Augusta, Georgia 308 Borer, remedies for Banking System , 256 INDEX. 327 PAGE. Scalding 259 Virginia Remedy 258 Blood Peaches 295 Choice Peaches for garden or small orchard 305 Classes of Peach Family. I. Freestone peaches , with pale flesh 274 II. " " '.' deep yellow flesh 283 IIT. Cling-stone peaches, commencing with Heath 288 IV. Varietes partial / adhe ing to the stone 292 V. " producing same from seed 293 Cultivation 240 Cueculio, remedies for Burning under brush 272 Curculio catcher 269 Curious, and ornamental varieties 296 Diseases — Yellows — Curled Leaf. 249 Dwarf Peaches 296 Early Bearing 249 Enclosures 244 Elmwood List, Memphis, Tennessee, 305 Green river list, Kentucky, — Woodson.... , 313 Injurious Insects — Borer 254 — Curculio 261 Kentucky Pomological Society List 314 Leaf Hoppers and Plant Lice 260 List for General Cultivation 301 List select for Maryland, Virginia, &c 302 List select for market for ditto 302 List additional — Augusta, Georgia 316 List select for States South of North Carolina 303 List select for Virginia and West Virginia 312 Manures 244 Market list for Athens, Georgia 319 Mississippi list — Dr. H. A. Swasey, Yazoo City 318 New foreign varieties 300 New varieties ■ 298 New way to dry peaches 321 Ohio select list— F. R. Elliott 316 Origin and History of the Peach 225 328 INDEX. PAGE. Peach Baskets and Crates . 320 Piedmont select list — Georgia 315 Planting the Trees 236 Planting a Nursery 239 Preparation of the Soil 236 Proper Location 237 Propagation of the Peach j 232 Remedy for the Yellows 252 Select Apricots 319 Select Cherries 320 Select Figs 320 Select Nectarines..-. 320 Suitable Soils and Situations 234 Symptoms of the Yellows 251 Tide-water list— Maryland 313 Training and Pruning 245 Uses of the Fruit , 232 Wash for Peach Trees .' 249 When to Plant.., 237 Young Trees Dying, 228 INDEX TO APPLES, STANDARD NAMES IN ROMAN LETTERS ; SYNONYMOUS NAMES IN ITALICS. PAGE. Abram or Father Abraui 158, 172 Albemarle Pippin 143, 155, 172, 168 Alexander 152 American, W. Winter Calville 150 American, S. Pearmain 143, 160 American Golden Russett 143, 148 Annate 141 Atkins 169 Beaman's Seedling , 144 Baldwin, (Coxe) 153, 156, 163 Baltimore Red. (Ben Davis) 143, 144 Bean, Waxen 149 Bellefleur, yellow 143, 163 Ben Davis, Ky. Red Streak, N. Y. Pippin 157, 143 Benoni 121, 148, 177 Berry 174 Beverley's Red 158 Black's Hardtimes 141 Blackshear 174 Borum 172 Borsdorff 122 Bough, Large Sweet 151, 161 Beauty of Kent 152 Beauty of the West 162 Brook's Pippin 172, 143 Brown's Seedling, (new) Va 144 Buff 165 Buncombe, Red W. Pearmain 178 Buckingham, Fall Queen 143, 153, 174 Butter 152 Campfield, (cider) 147 Cannon Pearmain 143, 172 Carolina Red June, Juneating 143, 151, 172 Carter 174 Carthouse, Little Romanite 143 155, 159, 330 INDEX. PAGE. Carter's Blue, (Southern) 178 Cathead 144 Catline 162 Cayuga Red Streak 168 Celestia, (new) 173 Chandler, Chandler's Red 169 Chestatee, (Southern) 174 Chinese Crab 147 Cole's Queen Apple 152 Cogswell 163 Camack's Sweet, (Southern) 158 ■ Cooper's Russeting, (cider) 150 Cullasaga, (Southern) 158, 172, 174 Dahlonega (Southern) 174 Danver's Winter Sweet 143, 168 Dinwiddie, (new) Va 144 Disharoon, (Southern) 174, 178 Dominie 121. 162, 143 Ducket, (Southern) 174 Dutch Mignonne 169 Early Harvest 143, 160, 172 Early Joe 152, 172 Early Pennock 145 Early Ripe 151 Early Red Margaret 143, 160 Early Strawberry = 143, 160 Early Sweet Bough 175 Esopus Spitzenberg 156 Equinetely, Fall Queen, (Southern) 174 Fall Cheese, Gully 141 Fall Pippin, Holland, erroneous 43, 149, 162 Fall Queen, Buckingham Batchelor 143, 145, 177 Fall Wine 153 Fallawater, Tidpehocken ,143 158 Famense, Pomme de Neige, Snow Apple , 145 Family 178 French Crab, (cider) 147 Gilpin, Carthouse 156, 150 Gloria Mundi 168 Golden Dixie, (new) Va 151, 145 Golden Beauty, (crab) 147 Golden Pippin T 144 Golden Wilding 172 Goose Pen, (Southern).. 153 INDEX. 331 PAGE. Gordon's Seedling 144 Gravenstein 152, 143, 149 Gregory's Red 144 Green Cheese, Carolina Greening 143 Grimes' Golden Pippin 143, 164 Gully, Mangum, (Southern) ....158 Hagloe Crab 147 Hale's Early 172 Harrison 147, 150 Hewes' Virginia Crab 143, 147, 153 Hock's White, (Virginia) 167 Higby Sweet, (Ohio, new) 164, 143 High Top Sweet 145 Honiony, (Southern) 174 Horse 143, 144 Hubbardston Nonesuch 165 Hyslop's Crab... 147 Ingram's Seedling, (new) 121 Isaac 144 Jersey Sweeting 153 Jonathan 149, 158 Julian, (Southern) 161, 174 Junaluskee 143 Keswick Codlin 160 King of Tompkin's County '. 157 Kettageska, (Southern) 178 Lady Apple, Pomme D 1 Api 166 Ladies' Sweet 166 Large Red Siberian Crab 147 Large Vine 144 Large Yellow Bough, Summer Sweet Bough 143, 161 Lawver, (new) 143, 121 Limbertwig, James River ..143, 150, 172 Lowell, Orange 145 London Pippin, (Virginia) 143 Maiden's Blush 143, 164 Male Carle, (Ital an) 168 Mangum, Fall Cheese, (Southern) - 143, 174 Mason's Stranger 143, 157 Matilda, (new) Virginia 144 Mattamuskeet 172 Maverack Sweet, (Southern Winter) 174 May Apple, (Southern) 144, 151, 175 McAfee's Nonesuch lt>5, 143 INDEX. Mc. Cloud's— Southern 147 Michael Henry Pippin 143 Milam 121, 143, 158, 173 Minker 121 Minister 145 Montebello (New.) 121, 172 Moore's Sweet — Western 175 Morris, (new) Virginia 145 Mote Sweet, (new, from N. C) 173 Mother 141 Nansemond Beauty 144 Nickajack. (of forty names) 143, 156, 166, 172 Northern Spy— N. York 166 Ohio Nonpareil 171 Orange Pippin, Lowell 144, 145 Ortley, White Bellefleur 150, 153 Peck's Pleasant 168 Pennsylvania Red Streak — Wine &pple 143, 175 Pilot— Nelson Co., Va 143, 159 Porter 153, 162 Pound 144 Powers 173 Primate 161 Prince's Yellow Harvest 144, 177 Priestly Pryors Red * 143, 149, 172 Quince Apple 153 Ragland 144 Rambo 163 Ramsdell's Sweeting 121, 145 Rawles' Genet, Neverfail 143, 165, 172 Red Astrachan 143, 160, 172 Red Everlasting 169 Red June, Carolina Red June 151, 175 Red Fall Pippin— Southern 174 Red Steak— English Winter 147, 159 Red Siberian Crab 153 Red Warrior, (not Wamir) 174 Rhode Island Pippin 163 Ridley. 144 Romanite 143, 159 Robinson's White 163 Rome Beauty 172, 175 Seedling (new) Nelson Co., Va 144 Shockley 143, 172 INDEX. 333 PAGE. Siberian Crab 147 Smoke House 143, 153 Smith's Cider 153, 143 Spice Sweet. 161 Starke Apple — Western 170 Sylvester , 170 Strawberry 169 Striped July 141 Summer Bellefleur a 151 Summerour Julian 152 Summer Pippin 161 Summer Queen, tCoxe) 143, 161 Summer Sweet Paradise, (Downing) 162 Summer Pose 143, 160 Sops of Wine, (Homony) 121, 174 Stanard — , 121 Stone Wall, (new) Lunenburg Co., Va 169 Swarr, Hewy Apple — Delaware 167 Sweet Red Streak 153 Sweet Genet, (new) 121, 170 Sweet Bough 161 Sweet June 145 Sweet Bough, large 151 Taunton — Georgia 178 Twenty Ounce Apple 168 Tulpeholken 158 Tyler's Rennet, Tyler's Sweet Reinette, (new) Va 170 Transcendant Crab 147 Vandevere, (Delaware) 121, 149, 153 Via, (new) Va 144 Wagener — Western 175 Walh-Georgia .175 Waxen Apple, Bean, Va .'149 Waugh'sCrab 143 Wellford's Yellow 143 White Juneating, May Apple, Va 143, 151, 161 White Spanish, Reinette 120 White Winter Pear main 167 White Bellefleur, Woolman's Long 150 William's Favorite 181 Winter Sweet Paradise 143, 156 Wine Apple, Hayes Winter, Penn. Bed Streak 143, 150, 175 Wine Sap — Delaware 143, 155, 172 Woolman's Harvest 1°1 Yancey's Prize, (new) Va - 144 Yellow June 144 Yopp's Favorite — Georgia 172 Yellow Bellefleur 145, 143. 163 York Imperial 143 Note.— The Pound, Wall and Summerour, are Synonymous names for Nickajack. INDEX TO PEACHES, PAGE. Atlanta 293, 298 Allen's Walpole 294 Amelia 800 Anna Ruffin — Southern.... 288 Austin's Late Red — Georgia 309 Bagby'a 309 Baldwins Late Free 303, 308 Baltimore Beauty — Maryland 287 Batchelder 317 Bletcher's 317 Blood Cling, (Fr.) '. 295 Belle deVitry. (Fr.) 281 Bellegarde, (Fr.) 281 Bordeaux 309 Brayuard's Yellow — Va .' , 285 Bergen's Yellow — Long Island - 287 Brenneman Cling — Southern 291 Briggs, (Coles; 293 Canary — Georgia 316 Catharine— English 292 Chinese Cling— China 291, 306 Columbia 286, 294 Crawford's Early 284 Crawford's Late 284 Delce's Cling — Tennessee 307 Demming's September — Georgia 309 Doubled Blossomed 296 Double Montague — French 275 Druid Hill— Maryland 278 Duff Yellow — Georgia 317 Early Ann, (old English) 276 Early Newington, Free Stone 292 Early Sweet Water 277 Early York, (serrate) 275 Early Tillotson 275, 292 Eaton's Golden 310 Elmyra 309 Flat Peach of China 297 Fleita's St. John— Georgia 316 Flewellen — Georgia 317 Foster, (new 298 Fruitland, (seedling) 316 Gaylord— Miss ?10 George the Fourth • 276 Georgia Cling • 317 Goode's October — Georgia 317 Gorgas 28- INDEX. 335 PAGE . Grand Admirable ...291 Grand Turk , gj7 Griswold g-^y Great Eastern — Georgia 3J7 Hale's Early _ 276 Hale's Melocoton 094 Hatch — Connecticut 287 293 Hartshorn, (Coles) '..529 Heath Cling, Heath, Late White — Georgia 288 29-1. 310 Heath, free-stone — Georgia 280 288 Honey Peach — South Carolira 276 Indian Blood — Georgia 296 Iron House — Middle Tennessee 306 Italian Dwarf. 296 Julia — Aikin, S. C 3^7 Late Admirable 278 308 Lady Parham — -Georgia 3Q9 Lagrange — New Jersey 280 Large Early York — Flushing, 1ST. Y 282 Large White Cling — New York 289 Large White English. Cling 306 Lemon Cling, Kennedy's Cling — South Carolina 290, 295 Merriam, (Coles) 287 Mitchel's Mammoth — Georgia 318 Monstrous Pavie — French 289 Moore's Red Rareripe — Ohio 280 Morris' White Rareripe 274 Morris' Red Rareripe 280 Napoleon — Georgia 317 Nix's Late — Georgia 307 Noblesse — English 282 Nutmeg White — European 282 Nutmeg Red — European 282 Old Mixon Free — American 277 OldMixon Cling — European. 290,295 O'Gwynn — Georgia 318 Orange Cling 292 Osceola, (Belair) Georgia 300 Owen's — Georgia 317 President — Long Island 279 President Church — Georgia 317 Prince of Wales, (new) 298 Princes of Wales 298 Picquet's Late — Georgia 309 Pine Apple Cling — Georgia 310 Pool's Large Yellow ; 286 Pucelle de Malines 317 Pyramidal, (ornamental) 297 Red Magdalene— Fr 291 Red Cheek Melocoton 285 Red Rareripe... 278 Richmond, (new) New York 298 Royal George 274 336 INDEX. Royal Kensington, Grosse Mignonne 279 Sal way, (new)— English ! 298 Scott's October — Georgia 318 Smith's Newington Early — English 291 Smock, Free, St. George — New Jersey 286 Snow ". 277 Stump the World 309 Susquehanna — Pennsylvania 288 Teton de Venus 278 Tinsley, October — Georgia 310 Troth's Early. 277 Tippecanoe — Philadelphia 291 Tuft's Rareripe 280 Van Buren's Golden Dwarf ." 296, 297 Ward's Late 281 Washington — New York 293 Weeping Peach — New York 297 White Blossomed Incomparable 293 White Pine Apple •. 318 Yellow Alberge 284 Yellow Rareripe * 285 LIST OF PEACHES NOT DESCRIBED BUT INCLUDED IN THE VARIOUS LISTS. Allen Cling. Baltimore Rpse— Maryland. Baugh — Gep.rgia. Belle Beauce (new). Belle Couquete (new). Belle Doue (new). Binford. Bloodgood's Large Green. Bradford's Free — Georgia. Breckenridge — Kentucky. - Brevoort's Morris, Brevort — N.Y Catawba — 'Southern. Chevreuse, Hatwe, Tardine (new) Clark's Early— Missouri. Chapline — Hart Co. Ky. Cole's Early — American. Coolidge's Favorite — American. Congress. Dabney's — Mississippi. Dunnahoo — Georgia. Early Albert, (new). Early Admirable. Early Chelmsford. Early Silver, (new). Early Victoria, (new) Early Yellow Rareripe Edward's Late — Georgia. Fay's Early Ann. Gaither's Late— Georgia. Golden Dwarf. Green Catharine — Georgia. Haine's Early Red — New Jersey. Hunter — Southern. Hopkinsville, Free — Kentucky. Hull's Athenian — Georgia. Jacques Yellow Rareripe— Georgia. Jerrie's Seedling — Kentucky. Late Rareripe. Late Heath Free — Southern. Malta, Belle de Paris. Parker's Late— Southern. Pope's Cling — Kentucky. Pride of Autumn — Mississippi. Raymakers, (new). Raymond Cling. Rodman's Cling — Georgia. Rose Hill, Seedling — Georgia. Scott's Nonpareil— New Jersey. Sidock's Late Free — Kentucky. St. Louis — Missouri. Shanghai Cling. Vineouse. Walburton Admirable— England. Walter's Early — New Jersey. Southern. White Imperial — New York. White Heads. White Point. Finis. v* ' ' n <■$ Hi» ° " ° A. j » s • • > r\ C\* a <> **' UPX / s \ °-:wv * v ^ ,-0 A » Y * »# V- v *l!!nL'* ^ a9 i * *£*. ,A * I ^^ • .-&. «, *^3te^ < " "?U a"* ► a <* *^Trr s -" . * * a <\ ^% W* - '^tf 5 r oV u * ^ ^ r