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 g)tate College of Agriculture 
 
 ^t Cornell Winibetiit^ 
 
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 SB arLSgl'"*" ""'"^^'^''y Library 
 
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 Peaches 
 
 for Pennsylvania 
 
 By 
 
 JOHN P. STEWART, Ph.D. 
 
 Experimental Pomologist 
 State College, Pa. 
 
 S7, 
 
should be headed at about 1 8 to 24 inches, and from three to five 
 limbs may be used in forming the framework for the tops. In later 
 pruning, the main objects are to keep the annual growth well headed 
 back, thus avoiding undue increase in height, and to keep the tops 
 fairly open in order to secure light and ventilation for the fruit. 
 
 Culture, Thinning and Picking. 
 
 As to cultural methods, peaches are generally considered to 
 require more thorough and continuous tillage than apples. The till- 
 age and cropping methods described for the latter in Bulletin 106, 
 however, if thoroughly carried out, will generally prove satisfactory. 
 
 The proper use of fertilizers on peaches is a matter of some 
 debate. Judging from analyses, peaches are more exhaustive on the 
 land than any other fruit crop. But in spite of this, the value of 
 fertilization is questioned by some growers, especially if they are 
 making good use of cover crops. It is an interesting fact, however, 
 that in Niagara county, N. Y., on nearly 3,000 acres of peaches it 
 was found that over 87 per cent, of the acreage was receiving ferti- 
 lizer of some kind.^ Also the average return for five years from 
 those orchards receiving manure was $26 per acre higher than that 
 from the unfertilized orchards, and the return from those receiving 
 both manure and commercial fertilizer was $46 per acre higher than 
 from the unfertilized. This would indicate that a judicious use of 
 fertilization should prove profitable in many cases. Care should be 
 taken, however, not to stimulate growth unduly and especially not 
 to prolong the seasonal growth so much as to prevent the entrance 
 upon winter with well-seasofied wood. 
 
 Thinning is essential whenever the trees are unduly loaded. It 
 is regularly practiced by all commercial growers. It enables the 
 fruit to attain proper size, aids in the control of rot and avoids un- 
 necessary exhaustion of the tree. Over-production and starvation 
 are among the leading causes of failure and early decline in the 
 avei^age peach orchard. The thinning is done usually in the latter 
 part of June, after the "June drop," leaving no peaches less than 
 4 to 6 inches apart, and removing especially those that are defective. 
 
 The proper time for picking depends largely upon the time re- 
 quired in reaching market. It also naturally depends much upon 
 the carrying qualities of the variety and the cooling and shipping 
 facilities available. The best color, quality and size are undoubtedly 
 attained by permitting the fruit to ripen on the tree. When con- 
 siderable time must elapse before reaching market, however, this 
 is impracticable. In such cases, the fruit should be picked enough 
 in advance to enable it to ripen in transit and approximately reach 
 its prime when it arrives at the market. The softening of occasional 
 specimens will aid in determining the right time foir picking, but 
 more detailed directions can hardly be given. 
 
 iData from an orchard survey of Niagara County, made by Cornell Uni- 
 versity. Data furnished by M. B. Cummings, now of University of Ver- 
 mont, Nov. 1908. 
 
3 
 Important Difficulties. 
 
 Important obstacles to success with peaches are yellows, brown 
 rot, and borers.^ Regular mounding and cutting-out is probably 
 the surest method of control for the latter and is most generally 
 practiced, though a safe and efficient covering would be most wel- 
 come and may be found in the sediment or sludge formed in mak- 
 ii:g lime-sulphur. It should be renewed whenever any important 
 breaks occur in the coating, however. 
 
 The mound or cover should be in place during the egg-laying 
 period, which extends from about the middle of June to the middle 
 of September in this State. The "mound" is formed by dragging 
 up the earth all around the base of the tree to a height of 8 or lo 
 inches. Any protective covering should extend from about two or 
 three inches below the general surface of the ground to a height of 
 15 or 20 inches. It is also well to remember that most of those 
 that have been recommended are decidedly worthless. 
 
 In hunting the borers, which may be done either before or 
 after the egg-laying period, it is well to have cheap labor go ahead 
 and remove the soil, with hoes or other appropriate tools, and re- 
 liable men to follow and remove the "worms" after the bark has 
 dried and their discolorations become more evident. 
 
 Yellows. 
 
 Peach yellows is an apparently contagious disease of unknown 
 cause, for true cases of which there is now no remedy. It is import- 
 ant that one be able to recognize its symptoms, however, in order 
 to remove the affected trees at the earliest opportunity and thus pre- 
 vent its spread to those adjacent, with the resulting rapid destruction 
 of the orchard. The most prominent marks of the disease are 
 premature ripening of red-spotted fruit,'' and tufts of vertical, wil- 
 lowy shoots, which appear on the branches or main limbs. Earlier 
 and less evident symptoms are as follows: In a well-cultivated or- 
 chard, part of an apparently healthy tree stops growing, the leaves 
 at the bases of its twigs droop, roll at the edges,* and turn yellow 
 or reddish-green. Also leaf buds and blossoms may be prematured, 
 — ^the acceleration amounting in some cases to a few days only, 
 while in others it may even cause them to start in the fall. 
 
 The disease is reported as likely to appear first in wet and 
 poorly-drained areas; and most of the symptoms are apparently 
 likely to be aggravated by winter-injury or other checks, especially 
 checks to the transfer of food or starch. The recognition and treat- 
 ment of the disease would be relatively easy if it were not for the 
 fact that the same influences which aggravate the symptoms of yel- 
 lows seem able to produce a good imitation of the disease. 
 
 These imitations are usually curable by good orchard practice, 
 
 iTbe San Jose scale is, of course, also an important enemy of the peach, 
 but it is more easily controlled than on the apple, and in the same manner. 
 
 ^The red spots are in the flesh. 
 
 'The rolling at the edges under these conditions is said to distinguish 
 the disease from "Little Peach." 
 
4 
 
 especially by heavy pruning and judicious nitrogen application. But 
 the true cases are apparently only covered up temporarily by such 
 treatment and in the meantime are menacing the general health of 
 the orchard. The best procedure, therefore, is to eliminate so far 
 as possible, the influences that tend to develop the "imitation yel- 
 lows" by maintaining the best possible orchard practice and then 
 destroying on sight all cases that do appear, on the assumption that 
 they are true cases of yellows. 
 
 Brown Rot, Scab, and Curculio Treatment. 
 
 The control of brown rot also involves that of the curculio and 
 incidentally secures the control of peach scab or black spot which 
 usually mars or destroys so much unsprayed fruit. A very satis- 
 factory plan for this purpose is the one advised by Scott, of the 
 Bureau of Plant Industry. It is rapidly becoming the regular prac- 
 tice of commercial peach growers. With slight modifications, the 
 plan is as follows :^ 
 
 (i) About the time the calyces (or shucks) are shedding, spray 
 with arsenate of lead at the rate of two pounds to 50 gallons of 
 water. In order to reduce the caustic properties of the poison, add 
 milk of lime made from slaking two pounds of stone lime. 
 
 (2) About three or four weeks after the calyces drop, spray 
 with 8-8-50 self-boiled lime-sulphur and two pounds of arsenate of 
 lead. 
 
 (3) About one month before the fruit ripens, spray with 8-8-50 
 self-boiled lime-sulphur or with 1.003 lime-sulphur solution, omit- 
 ting the poison. 
 
 The use of the clear solution in the third spray is handier, 
 cheaper and avoids any important staining of the fruit, which may 
 be quite serious with the self-boiled lime-sulphur in the last spray. 
 The self-boiled is the only safe material to use in combination with 
 commercial lead arsenate in the second spray, however. Our present 
 experiments indicate that a strictly neutral ortho-arsenate of lead, 
 Ph3 (As04)2, is safest with lime-sulphur solutions, but even this 
 combination cannot be recommended unconditionally on peaches as 
 yet. 
 
 Varieties. 
 
 The following list gives the principal varieties now in cultiva- 
 tion in the State, so far as the writer has been able to learn. It also 
 includes some varieties that, judging by their behavior elsewhere, 
 are of probable value here, and some that are widely known but are 
 rather undesirable, as indicated by the accompanying descriptions. 
 Further selection should, of course, be made on the basis of local ex- 
 perience and market. Six or eight varieties well distributed through 
 
 ^For full discussion of the preparation and use of self-boiled lime-sul- 
 phur, see Farmers' Bulletin 440, pp. 33-40, obtainable from the Department 
 of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
 
the season are usually ample for the commercial orchard. These 
 may well be selected from the following group of varieties, with the 
 aid of our descriptions given later, supplemented by local inquiry: 
 Greensboro, St. John, Waddell, Carman, Hiley, Champion, Belle, 
 Ede, Elberta, Stump, Crosby, Fox, Smock, Iron Mountain, Stevens 
 and Salway. This group gives a succession from early July to 
 October, and the varieties are named approximately in order of 
 ripening. 
 
 The relative commercial value of the varieties is indicated by 
 stars. Two stars (**) indicate those considered fully commercial; 
 one star, those considered limited commercial. The others may be 
 valuable commercially in some places when they are better known 
 or they may be useful in home orchards. 
 
 The indications are intended especially for the location in which 
 peaches are known to thrive. But even for them, local experience 
 and especially the season of ripening with reference to market con- 
 ditions may often require some modifications. Thus a variety may 
 do well in a certain locality, but not be profitable because the mar- 
 ket, at its season of ripening, is supplied with better fruit of another 
 variety, possibly from another locality. This accounts for the fact 
 that in some localities only those peaches ripening with Elberta or 
 later are reported profitable, while in others many of the earlier 
 sorts are very satisfactory. Study your market and fill in the gaps 
 is a good general rule. 
 
 In the list, the hardier varieties, — those apparently adapted to 
 the more rigorous sections, — are marked with a dagger. All varie- 
 ties are named approximately in order of ripening, with the ex- 
 ceptions that the varieties in each of the following groups seem 
 from available data to be of practically the same seasons. St. John 
 and Bishop; Waddell, Lewis and Connet; Mountain Rose, Cham- 
 pion and Oldmixon Free; Niagara and Reeves; Ede, Bokhara and 
 Engle ; Crosby and Chairs ; Geary, McCollister and Smock ; Stevens 
 and Salway. There is also more or less overlapping in season with 
 many of the other adjacent varieties. 
 
 Sneed.^ Early July. White,^ cling. Tree has broad leaves: 
 usually a heavy bearer and small unless thinned, low quality and not 
 valuable commercially. 
 
 Victor. White, semi-cling. Rather resistant to rot.' Much 
 better than Sneed in quality; entirely red when ripe. 
 
 Triumph. f Yellowish-red, free. One of the extra early 
 peaches, of medium size and quality, probably suitable for home use 
 or local market, but usually not desirable commercially because of 
 great susceptibility to rot. 
 
 Greensboro.f* White, semi-cling. Tree very hardy and pro- 
 lific; probably the earliest peach of any material commercial value. 
 Fruit large, reported resistant to rot,' but rather delicate textured 
 for distant shipment and only medium quality. Pick when apex be- 
 gins to soften. 
 
 iFor the meaning of stars, daggers, etc., see page 5. 
 ^Refers to color of flesh. 
 
 3"Resistent" is not used in the sense of "immune,'' but means less sus- 
 ceptible than most others. 
 
St. John.* Yellow, free. One of the standards in Ontario and 
 also reported very satisfactory in Delaware. Quality good. Often 
 quite subject to rot, but this can be controlled by proper spraying. 
 
 Bishop. White, free. Reported one of the most satisfactory 
 early peaches in the mountain orchards of West Virginia. Fruit 
 large and very good. Worthy of trial in southern Pennsylvania. 
 
 WaddelLf White, free. Rather poor grower, but very pro- 
 lific. Long blooming period and hence said to be less susceptible to 
 frost injury. Medium in size and quality. Ripens too near Car- 
 man for best success. 
 
 Lewis.f Yellowish-white, free. One of the hardiest peaches 
 and much valued generally for commercial use. Fruit medium to 
 large and very good. Of Michigan origin. 
 
 Connet.*t White, semi-cling. Another hardy variety which 
 is reported unusually satisfactory in the mountain orchards of West 
 Virginia. It ripens with Lewis and is said to be fully as productive, 
 finer looking, and much freer from rot. Fruit large and very good. 
 Apparently worthy of extensive trial in this state. A seedling of 
 Chinese cling. 
 
 Carman.**t White, semi-cling. Probably best of its season 
 for market. Fruit large and of good quality. Ripens early in 
 August. Tree very hardy and productive, one of the latest in blos- 
 soming. 
 
 Hiley*t (Early Belle). White, free. Regular, but not pro- 
 lific. Good shiooer, uneven ripener. Much grown in Georgia. 
 
 Mt. Rose. White, free. High quality, often irregular in size 
 and subject to rot; good for home use and local market, if picked 
 while firm. 
 
 Champion*t (Illinois). Creamy white, free or often semi- 
 cling. Among the highest in quality, excellent for canning, mod- 
 erate bearer, medium shipper. Somewhat susceptible to rot, but 
 preventable by proper spraying. 
 
 Oldmixon Free.* White, free. One of the old favorites, but 
 apparently losing in favor in some parts of this state. High quality 
 and prolific, but reported as often dropping before attaining full 
 color. 
 
 Early Crawford. Yellow, free. A standard peach in many 
 regions, but apparently losing favor in this state on account of shy 
 bearing. 
 
 Niagara.* Yellow, free. Supposed to be a seedling or pos- 
 sibly a bud-sport of Early Crawford' and reported a heavier bearer. 
 Fruit equal to it in quality and of larger size. Considered promis- 
 ing, though not sufficiently tried to warrant unqualified recommen- 
 dation. 
 
 Reeves (Favorite). Yellow, free. Excellent quality, and one 
 of the old favorites, but often shy bearer; especially so on heavy 
 soils. 
 
 Thurber.* White, free. Prolific, good shipper ; valuable where 
 a white peach is acceptable. 
 
 'See Cornell Bulletin 262 : 282 for account of the origin of this peach. 
 
7 
 
 Belle**t {of Georgia). White, free. Early and heavy bearer ; 
 reported best of its season. Hardy in bud and very high quahty. 
 Ripens in late August or early September and must be watched as 
 picking time approaches, as it ripens quickly. 
 
 Engle (Mammoth). Yellow, free. One of the best commer- 
 cial peaches in Michigan, being reported preferable to Elberta for 
 profit. Not sufficiently tried for recommendation. 
 
 Ede**t (Captain Bde). Yellow, free. Very productive and 
 uniform in fruit. Early in bearing. Excellent for canning ; quality 
 very good. 
 
 Bokhara.t Yellow, free. Said to be the hardiest desirable 
 peach in Iowa. Quality fair. Value in Pennsylvania unknown, 
 though apparently worthy of limited trial in the more rigorous sec- 
 tions. 
 
 Elberta.** Yellow, free. The standard commercial peach and 
 the variety most widely planted throughout the country, though dis- 
 tinctly less valuable than some others in certain localities of this 
 state. Fruit very large and excellent carrier, but quality is only 
 medium. Quality, as well as appearance, is much improved by 
 proper maturing on the tree. 
 
 Chairs* (Choice). Yellow, free. Another strong grower and 
 often tardy in bearing, but very satisfactory with increasing age in 
 certain orchards of southern Pennsylvania. Fruit large and good, 
 tapering to apex. 
 
 Crosby.f Yellow, free or occasionally semi-cling. One of 
 the hardiest in bud, and of high quality. Fruit tends to run a trifle 
 
 small for market, unless heavily thinned. Very heavy and regular 
 bearer. 
 
 Late Crawford.** Yellow, free. An old favorite, grown 
 across thfe continent. Reported among the most profitable varieties 
 in certain orchards of the state, while considered rather shy in 
 others. The successes are in dry, airy locations, with rather light 
 soil and thorough cultivation and other care. Said to be less satis- 
 factory than Early Crawford in New Jersey. 
 
 Ray. White, free. A relatively new peach of Mississippi ori- 
 gin, that is doing very well in Eastern Pennsylvania, especially with 
 H. S. Snavely near Lebanon. Tree stocky, good grower and very 
 productive. Fruit larger than Belle and about equal to Oldmixon. 
 Flesh white to the pit, good quality, though not quite as good as 
 Oldmixon. Apt to ripen up quickly like Belle. 
 
 •Stuirtp.* White, free. Very widely planted, and reported 
 fine in some places in the state, while in others it seems to be less 
 successful. 
 
 Fox* (Seedling). White, free. Apparently one of the most 
 desirable for its season. Growth vigorous and somewhat tardy in 
 bearing. Fruit of medium size and quality. 
 
 Mathews (Beauty). Yellow, free. A strong grower, rather 
 tardy in bearing. Fruit very large and good seller, but reported 
 shy and generally unprofitable in the mountain orchards of West 
 Virginia. Has done well with Dr. Funk in eastern Pennsylvania. 
 
Said to be difficult to get true to name and is reported by some to 
 ripen after Smock. 
 
 Geary* {Hold on). Yellow, free. Among the most profitable 
 in the orchards of D. M. Wertz, Franklin county. The soil there is 
 light,^ well elevated and has a good moisture supply. Fruit is firm 
 and of good quality. Closely resembles Smock in tree and fruit. 
 
 McCoUister.* Yellow, free. Another of the leaders in Wertz's 
 orchard ; closely resembles the next variety in character of fruit and 
 season. 
 
 Smock.** Yellow, free. This variety and Salway have done 
 best in the orchards named above, and both are very highly recom- 
 mended by other growers in our leading peach sections. They ap- 
 parently do best in the conditions described for Geary. 
 
 Iron Mountain.f White, semi-cling. Considered desirable in 
 some of the more rigorous sections, on account of hardiness. Qual- 
 ity medium. 
 
 Stevens* (i?arm/i^). Creamy white, free. Tree vigorous and 
 upright grower, and rather tardy but good bearer. Fruit large, 
 good quality, and profitable because of lateness. 
 
 Salway.** Yellow, free. One of the very best under proper 
 conditions, but not good on low or heavy soil. See discussion under 
 Smock. A very sure cropper and excellent market peach. Season 
 about same as Stevens, early to mid-October. 
 
 ^Classified by Bureau of Soils as Mont Alto fine sandy loam. 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
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