BULLETIN NO. 156 ALABAMA SEPTEMBER, 1911 Agricultural experiment Station OF THE Alabama Polytechnic Institute AUBURN PEACH GROWING IN ALABAMA BY P. F. WILLIAMS, Horticulturist AND J. C. C. PRICE, Ass't. Horticulturist Opelika, Ala. Post Publishing Company 1911 COMMI PTEE OF TRUSTEES ON EXPERIMENT STATION HON, R. F. KOLB____ HON. H. L. MARTINHON. A. W. BELL_= _Montgomery ---- Ozark - Anniston STATrION STAFF C. C. THACH_ J. F. DUGGARB. B. Ross_____ C. A. CART F. E. LLOYD -P. F. WILLIAMS - ______________ - - -__ __ President of the College __Director __ __ and Agriculturist ----------Chemist and State Chemist V Seterinarian and Director Farmers' Institutes --- ------- --___________ -- -- -- - B otanist -Horticulturist J, T. ANDERSON DAN T. GRAY _ W. E. HINDSC. L. HAREL. N. DUNCAN*T. BRAGG -E. FCAUTHEN__ V. F. WARD*-I. S. MCADORT W. F. TURNER-- Chemist, Soil and Crop Investigations. - _________Animal _ _ Industry - Entomologist - - -------- ----------- h emist ----C -__-__-- Superintendent of Extension Work ---____ .___ ---- ------ First Assistant ----Animal Chemist Associate Agriculturist and Recorder Husbandman ----------Junior ___-______Assistant M. J. FUNCHESS J.B HOBDY*rr C. S. RIDGWAY-------J. C. C. PRICE -- - - - - - E.W EUDALY*_-----. ______R. H O in Veterinary Science Assatin Entomology ____ ____Assistant Agriculturist Assistant in Extension Work in Botany ------- ---- --- Assistant ---- J. 0. T. WILLIAMSON______- L. L. H. GLOVER---SELLERS___ CARPENTER __-_ ----. Assatin Horticulture -___-_--____ Assistant in Animal Industry ____Assistant in Beef and' Swine Husbandry ___________Field Agent in Agriculture ___________Field Agent in Agriculture H. M. CONOLLY _ __ _. -----___ ___ Field Assistant in Horticulture E. HoDsoN J. --- - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - COHEN -- I. W. L. W. SUMMERS________ S. S. JERDAN*_A. R. D. ---------- -_ - - - C. *In ---------Assistant in Swine Husbandry ALLIS-- - - - - - - - ____ ___ ___ ___Assistant in Poultry ___ Co-operation with U. S. Department of Agriculture. GISSENDANNER. -----.__ -------___ ___- __ ____ ___ ___ ___Secretary to Director Assistant in Agriculture __Assistant in Chemistry Entomology Field Assistant in Assistant in Animal Industry ___ -__ __Assistant in Beef Industry PEACH GROWING IN ALABAMA Peaches can be grown with success in practically all parts of Alabama, certain sections being particularly well adapted to their culture. The average fruit grown in this State has fine flavor and a good appearance, and is of exceptionally good shipping quality; the latter point bcing most important, as it is a difficult fruit to handle. Few fruit bearing plants are less particular about the soil in which they grow, and few will yield so much fruit in proportion to the land they occupy. Peaches will grow and bear heavy crops with very little attention, and yet without intelligent care, they are sure to prove disappointing. The work of caring for the trees is comparatively simple and easily learned. The development of new varieties has made the crop much more certain and the introduction of new methods of spraying has made the control of insects and fungi successful. The outlook for peach growing in Alabama, has never been better than it is at present. The soils and weather conditions are as favorable as they were years ago, except some of the land has been neglected and is in need of fertilization. Several through lines of railroads give an outlet to the best Northern markets. The old markets are consuming more fruit each year, and new markets are being developed in the rapidly growing towns and cities. For the past few years first class peaches have brought fancy prices. The number of trees in some sections have greatly decreased because of poor shipping facilities, fungous diseases, and insect pests. With proper culture, spraying, etc., no other State offers a better opportunity for the peach growing industry. LOCATION. For home use, one can have character, but for commercial given to the selection of a site ing the best advantages in choosing a location one must fair success on soils of diverse use, careful attention must be favorable to the crop, and havshipping, marketing, etc. In have in mind the ultimate de- 112 velopment of the orchard. If only a limited amount is to be grown, for local markets or express shipments, it is best to locate convenient to a good market, or preferably, near several small ones. SITE. After the locality has been determined, a proper site for the orchard must be selected, and to do this, a number of things must be considered. The higher land should be selected rather than the low bottom, and some parts of the farm may be better suited than others. Good air drainage is a most important factor to be considered, as the fruit is not as likely to be injured by frost when such is secured. By selecting a site elevated above the surrounding land, good air drainage is secured, with free circulation of air in the summer, keeping the brown rot reduced and producing fruit of high color. Never select a site exposed to strong winds, as the trees are blown about until they become loosened in the soil; spraying is difficult, trees loaded with fruit are apt to be broken and the fruit shaken from the trees before it has matured. The soil is also an important factor in selecting the site, The soil best suited for the peach is a well drained sandy loam with a good porous sub-soil. Any of the loams may be used. Soils containing stiff clay or coarse sand for any depth should be avoided. PREPARATION OF THE LAND. The preparation of the land for planting should be thoroughly done, as without this trees will start off poorly. The preparation of the land should be made as thorough for peaches as for the cotton or truck crop. If the trees are to be planted in the spring, the ground should be plowed as early as possible, so as to conserve moisture. Late plowing tends to dry out the soil. For fall planting, the land may be sown in cowpeas the summer previous. All large stones should be picked up and carted off. All stumps should be pulled out of the ground and burned. Any other litter that would hinder the growth of the orchard, should be removed. 113 SELECTION OF TREES. Nurserymen grade trees according to their caliper (diameter) and height. It is best to select trees graded by caliper, as in many cases they may be simply a long whip, and of very small caliper. Where the tree is to be cut back to the proper height, there is less waste of growth. In selecting the trees, those of medium size, either one year "dormant" or first class "June buds" are preferable. June buds may be secured from four to five feet in height, or from 7/16 to 9/16 inches caliper, which are excellent for setting. Trees are graded as follows: Peach One year: Height in ft. 6-8, 5-6, 4-5, 3-4, 2-3, 1-2. Caliper in inches 4 and up, ~s-M, 9/16-5/, /-9/16,, 7/16-/ Peach June Buds: Height in ft. 5-6, 4-5, 3-4, 2-3, 1'-2, 1-1/, Caliper in inches /8-/, -1. /-7/16. 9/16-/, -9/16, 7/16-, It is usually best to patronize the local nurserymen, as they generally handle the varieties that are best adapted to local conditions. In case the local dealer does not handle the varieties desired, it is best to order from a distance, rather than accept undesirable stock. It is an advantage, in purchasing trees from the local nursery, to be able to inspect them before purchasing. Again, one is less apt to introduce injurious insects and diseases that are uncommon to the neighborhood. The home nurseryman in order to continue his business must supply trees as represented. PLANTING. There are two seasons for planting orchards, namely, in the fall and spring. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The trees planted in the fall have a better chance to become established in the soil, ready for growth in the spring; the roots that have been broken having calloused. The greatest disadvantage of planting in the fall is that such trees are apt to 114 be blown and rocked by the winter winds until they become loosened in the ground. This can be remedied however, by going through the orchard in the early spring, and pressing; the soil about the trees. Trees planted in the spring, have less chance to become established, and if the season is dry, there is a greater risk of losing them. In planting the trees, the hole should be dug large enough to allow the trees to be planted without crowding any of the roots. The sub-soil should be well loosened and the tree placed in the hole about one inch deeper than it was in the nursery. All broken and bruised roots should be carefully removed and a search should be made for borers. This may save much trouble later. .The bottom of the hole should be filled with good soil, then set in the trees, and fill the hole with soil, and pack it firmly with the heel. On soils that are poor, manure should be used. A splendid method is to dig the hole for the trees and then fill them with manure, leaving them until two or three good rains have fallen. The fertilizing material is thus leached out and carried into the soil. When ready to plant,the manure is forked out, and the trees put in place, and the manure mixed with the soil about the trees. When manure is not obtainable, the trees are planted, placing good soil in the bottom of the holes, and applying commercial fertilizers in early spring, about the time when the trees are budding out. LAYING OFF THE ORCHARD. There are several ways of laying off an orchard, viz.: ina squares, triangles, and in rows running parallel with the terraces. In most cases squares 18x18 feet are the best, as cultivation and spraying operations are carried on much easier. The most satisfactory way is to have the orchard in as regular form as it can be made, on the site selected. The outside rows should not be crowded against the fence, making it impossible to get around the trees in these rows to cultivate and spray them. Mixed planting is generally unsuccessful. In such cases, the culture for one fruit is radically different from that required by the other, for example, the apple planted with the peach. Peaches and plums are in the same class, but plums. 115 rot so much quicker than peaches, they are apt to be a disadvantage to the peaches when planted with them. It is rather a difficult problem to make the orchard rows straight on rolling ground. An orchard with straight rows is much more attractive and satisfactory than one irregularly planted. The time devoted to lining up the rows will be repaid during the life of the orchard. The first step is to establish a base line along one side of the proposed orchard, preferably on the longer side. If the field is to be set in squares, another line should be run at right angles to this base line, starting at the corner of the field where the first tree is to stand. The direction of this line may be established by the use of a carpenter's square on three stakes, one at the corner, another along the base line, and another along the side line. Good, strong stakes should be driven in the ground where the trees are to be planted on the base and side lines. A wire or cord may be stretched across the field parallel to the base line, and this will indicate the position of the second row, and this process is continued until the entire field has been laid off. Conspicuous tags should be tied to the wire at intervals equal to the distances apart which the trees are to be planted in the row. Distance between the trees :-The proper distance between the trees, depends upon their ultimate size, variety, soil, location, and kind of treatment they are to be given. With good treatment and rich soils, some of the larger growing varieties should be planted twenty to twenty-four feet apart, while on the poorer land sixteen feet apart will be sufficient. Commercial orchards require a greater distance between the trees than for those in a home orchard, as more space is required in the former for the use of machinery in spraying and cultivating. It is best in all cases to give the trees plenty of room, as a higher grade of fruit, and larger crops are borne on the individual trees if they are not crowded. The best distance is 18 ft x 18 ft. or 18 ft. x 20 ft. apart. The first distance will give 134 trees per acre, and the latter 121 trees per acre. FERTILIZERS. Peach trees will generally make a satisfactory growth the first year, if the soil has been well prepared, the trees planted 116 early, and given good culture. If the land is poorly prepared and the weeds are allowed to grow between the young trees, very little growth is to be expected. It is a bad practice to plant trees on poor land, and then try to build that land up. It is far more satisfactory to turn under a few crops of cow peas or other organic material before planting the peach trees. However, with a moderately poor soil, a successful orchard may be produced, with proper management and fertilization. For soils that will produce a fair crop of corn ,the following formulae are recommended at the rate of 3 lbs. for one year old trees, and increased 1 lb. for each year until the seventh year, which will give a full grown tree eight to ten pounds: Acid Phosphate 14%..............1060 lbs. 580 lbs. C. S. M . .......................... Muriate of Potash .................. 360 lbs. Total ........................ Or the following: Acid Phosphate 16% ............... C. S. M. ........................ Muriate of Potash ................. 2000 lbs. 925 lbs. 580 lbs. 360 lbs. 1865 lbs. 135 lbs. Soil or sand ....................... Total ....................... 2000 lbs. The materials for the above formulae can be secured and mixed at home, thus saving the cost of having them mixed or paying freight on sand or soil. The mixing can be done by spreading out the different materials on the barn floor. All lumps should be broken up with a shovel, and the pile should be turned several times. With a little care, the pile can be evenly mixed, and this work can be done on rainy days when the farm hands have spare time. The method of applying the fertilizer consists of putting the desired amounts about the trees out as far as the branches extend, and care being taken not to spread any of the fertilizer in a zone of two feet immediately around the trunk. Where cowpeas or clover are grown between the trees, these 117 will maintain the fertility of the soil on that space. With the above fertilization of the trees, and with the cultivation of the legumes mentioned, the trees will get the full benefit of the fertilizers applied. A cover crop of rye, vetch, or clover should be used to hold the soil during the winter rains. LIMING THE SOIL. A large proportion of the soils of the State are acid, and reThe blue litmus test is genquire an application of lime. erally sufficient to determine whether or not soils are acid. Either the air slaked or the ground lime rock, may be used. Soils that are not apt to leach badly may have a liberal application, and may not require to be limed again for several years. Soils of a sandy nature, and which leach easily should be limed frequently. Two or three tons per acre is considered a liberal application. It is a good practice to use 20 to 30 bushels per acre each spring, especially when green crops are being turned under. Lime corrects acidity and aids the soil in decomposing organic material in it. PRUNING. Of all our orchard trees, the peach stands in greatest need of careful and regular pruning. The pruning of the peach should be practiced every winter, and it should be cut back nmore severely than any other fruit tree. A study of the habit of growth of the peach, makes this statement more emphatic. The fruit buds of the apple or pear are mostly borne on old, short spurs, attached to the older limbs. The fruit spurs of the apple and pear lengthen but little each year and the fruit is found for the most part on the body of the tree instead of on the new growth at the extremities of the branches. On the contrary, the fruit buds of the peach, are borne chiefly on the long whips of new growth, which is most abundant at the extremity of the branches. In order to secure an abundant crop of peaches, it is necessary to so treat the trees, as to secure abundant new wood growth, the year before the peach crop is expected. P1.'A 14: I. .'A one-e ar-1old tree sholitn rormtal ,zoy n i i, ~th reult f 01 tree thtat tate tihe is w~eli iiapei, of olie ha\ 14 illLa moo pail licai, -o s to) ttitratilli 'ipr and hai \estil44 rettinli \ittci -tartcd of tihe ig4it suceses il l-tiihl~ diependsi on1 tile tree, L arge trees =ilould not 1le elil back as far as small one. the tre's a~re iar-ie andi eli b~rahlledt tile hrachcl shot. 11tile cot to thrfee inch tias tihe budon~1 tihe hricuhe aire tilhlily better tit.v lopc~d thani onl the trunk~i, andi thleN mlake a itetter -om it. I i ihttdiill is~ lleet. -ary if tihe hes sh'iapedtr iee~ are die ireti. lfehiitli lilore shots are A1nw th ian are lneoe ary, rI if ril bed off at tihe propqer titme, vvill ti11-mxx tihe ""n\\il to tihe tree wh iere it j- ineededl. Ir a;i idieal tree thlree slots sh~ou~ld lte alim ed to rtt fronrt 3ilto 0 inces from ech ther, andl iii -tteh a way that thley xxill fo rml equial triando tilerest of A cfltcl)c( if iewexxd front abi)ve. head( sholid lbe avo ided in the ibeach1treec as wxitih all other ocof trees. Tihe thre shoot sho old 1e s horteilcd 1 ack at the cie the first seasonl to alsoat one foot in ilngtih, and dtOWli the nest seasonl, then ihol hilie aliiowed~ to div ide into three (,r fotir of Itlltip~licaltiont The same heauding-hack and1 braiuches. angies ablutt the trunk branllches shouildil takes iilace tile tirdl siasoni. Thas whelre ucih a fravexx0k of branchcs has dexvioped fraiN tihe main branches of the treec, wxhi1 it arc not Io e than IS to 2-I inches frm tite an ail tita;;e bas been tait se11 xx It c1n bie r caiki or on, 11 II . A dd ci ~- -u; l E st 1911. Dull Xepl tihe prtuninig knixves in tihe lbest of condition. slowxlx, if at all, er make ragged cts xxwthih hea vi knives Algaill, such kivxes caus~e a ci nsider able wxaste of energy on tbe part of tile operator. Alli ctt turfaces ox-er one-half inch in 120 diameter should be painted over with white lead to protect the wound from the action of the weather and injury from insects. Much of the labor required in pruning during the winter can be avoided by judicious summer pruning. The soft young .suckers which tend to fill up the centers of the trees can be easily rubbed off if done at the right time. Remember that surplus wood requires just so much more time to spray properly and extra spray material. Young trees can be more uniformly shaped if disbudding is practiced. After the trees have been set and growth begins in the spring, they should be gone over and all shoots not needed in forming the head of the tree should be rubbed off. It often happens that the young tree can be kept well balanced by pinching out the terminal buds of the rapidly growing shoots. Young trees on rich soils often grow very rapidly, and many times become top heavy. This can be prevented by pinching out the terminal buds during the growing season. Pinching the terminal buds induces branching and there will be less waste of wood at the time of dormant pruning. During the third and fourth years, the pruning does not differ materially from that already described, and care should be taken not to allow the latteral branches to beconme too thick, nor should they be allowed to fill up the center of the tree, bearing in mind that a low, open, spreading tree is the ideal desired. This subsequent pruning should consist of heading in the main branches and vigorous shoots from a half to twothirds of their length. Always head back to a good latteral whenever possible, and so prevent the growth of surplus shoots. In any case short branches should be encouraged to grow low down on the trunk, and also branches to provide protection from the sun. Nothing aids more in growing well matured, well developed and highly colored fruits than good pruning. "s of soil at batse of tree for treting borers. Phto tatkent August Is(. 1')11. int E\pe rimenot Staionl Orchatrd. .A IIL-( DI 1F)\ crtaint l -laws. It nucnilhciitr shldt tl il)IjII ii he ini-rticteu of lli t va- v;IrictIc- that theC combinediil -ict IC \Y ill lit ulihi tilt 1( a l,ict the LuC il - /-- r -% jz'. n gpp Ilk TIE'k {-~ 1 Thee o t e u' ta c n he(1-\ II o tt Iw chhS it Souldhe icke va* ti thi fo tli i 'lnn o an V..1invcnncc Il , g at rl rio s-~ (littli'tic oar thaiiiit clanc tim(' iori~ kCcin 111lliii Ai aii ihpy i thtu IIcr 1, of Iio to at rtaii tiltaim- ~r. Ml i icantill c iof t cati jl me Cthe llii orL~ iliC h tinrCi cl rin-i Lii artti ~ii ta u t \10 Che Iwach isil Ati it i o to ti l e Ii (\r-k . alnsict at tie till c of limn-c-tili-. thit \\ 11111 ci t Ci'tilwi it'1(1 t ttti theC fiuit, anidi CunllnCntliil I l Nickeud rat -v at -iuch 129 a time. Careless picking ruins many a grower. The fruits -must be handled carefully. Do not allow them to be dropped into the baskets or allow them to be poured from one basket to another. PACKING. At the packing house the fruit should be culled, grading it according to size at the same time. Imperfect fruit means those which are even slightly bruised, curculio stung, showing slightest signs of decay, and deformed or split slightly along the suture. It requires much experience and skill to grade the fruit properly. The packers should also be required to cull the fruit as the graders often allow inferior fruit to remain unnoticed. Much of the culled fruit can be regraded and shipped as culls, canned, or evaporated. Peaches are generally packed in the Georgia six-carrier crate which holds 7-8 of a bushel. Each carrier or "cup" should be packed uniformly. The colored side of each peach should show to the best advantage. The crate should be full enough to re-quire slight pressure on the top to fasten it. A competent inspector should watch every layer placed in the cups. All crates should be labelled according to the grade of fruit they contain. Trouble may result from careless work here. It is rather difficult for all growers to decide on standards for grades. Each grower, or each organization, as the case may be, attempts some such standardization. Mr. Jones may put his Carmans out as "Extra Fancies" and Mr. Smith may do likewise yet the actual grade of the former's may be far superior to that of the latter. If both shipments reach the same market the commission men spend little time in deciding the merits of the case and Mr. Jones gets the order the next season. However, Mr. Smith may have been very conscientious in his grading. The best fruit one year may not reach that standard the next year and where a standard has been set, maintain it, even if it should be necessary to send out crates labelled "seconds" one or two seasons. Honesty counts here as elewhere. Serious losses are often caused by the shipment reaching a so-called "glutted" market. The majority of the large growers seem to think that New York, Philadelphia and Chicago need 130 all the peaches. As a result prices in those cities very often hardly pay the freight, while smaller cities are hungry for peaches and willing to pay good prices for them. BY-PRODUCTS. Some of the largest growers in Alabama have installed large canning factories in their orchards and find them very profitable investments. Canning the peaches prevents loss from poor shipping facilities at the time the crop is moving and furnishes employment for experts and laborers should the market "go wrong." Every farmer who owns peach trees should have a home canning outfit. These can be purchased from $5.00 up and one season's trial with one will prove their value. Having a goodly supply of canned peaches in mid-winter sounds better than feeding surplus peaches to the hogs. Farmers' Bulletin No. 426 gives instruction concerning the operation of canning and demonstrations have been conducted by the Horticultural Department at Auburn during the farmer's institutes and also in co-operation with the Extension Department. There are a number of reliable firms handling home canning outfits and the names of these can easily be secured by referring to the advertisements in the various horticultural journals. Some of the oufits familiar to the writers and which give very good satisfaction are as follows: Tharpe Hardware Mfg. Co., Elkin, N. C. Slemmer & Son, Goldsboro, Md. Home Canner Co., Chattanooga, Tenn. The Raney Canner Co., Chapel Hill, N. C. Reeves and Son, Collinsville, Ala. Dixie Hardware Mfg Co., Elkin, N. C. F. S. Stahl Mfg. Co., Quincy, Illinois. Cans are supplied by many companies, a few given below: E. F. Kirwin & Co., Baltimore, Md. American Can Co., Atlanta, Ga. Modern Canner Co., Chattanooga, Tenn. F. S. Stahl Mfg. Co., Quincy, Illinois. 131 A FEW DoNT'S. Don't purchase trees from tree agents unless they and the comnpanies they represent are well known. Don't turn stock in the orchard. Don't sow oats in the orchard. Don't plant too many varieties in commercial orcharding. Don't wait until the last minute to order crate material. Don't allow the trees to suffer from insects and diseases as attention to spraying will control both. Don't ship immature fruit. Don't attempt pruning with cheap and dull knives. SELECTION OF VARIETIES. The question of varieties is a most important one with the large grower. He can ill afford to plant varieties other than those given a fair trial in the vicinity of his proposed orchard. The description of varieties which follows is based entirely on notes taken at this Station for the past eight years and the dates of blooming, ripening, quality, etc., will only be relative in other portions of the State. There is generally a difference of two weeks between the ripening period of trees in the southern section of the State and those at the Station. In the northern section of the State the fruit will ripen about two weeks later than at Auburn. The home orchard should contain varieties which will give a succession of fruit from May 15th to August 15th. Only those varieties should be selected which have either been tried in your particular vicinity or reported upon by Experiment Stations of the southern States. The local niarket generally prefers freestone varieties, which can be used for home canning. Shipping varieties require durability to withstand long rail trips and they should have firm flesh and rather thick skin. Notes on varieties tested at Auburn follow: DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES. ALEXANDER.-Low spreading tree, vigorous grower.; fruit small to medium; color, pink on yellow ground; fleshwlhite;,quality raither poor; fair for home use; ripens May 30th to '.June5th.,,',., ruitmedium to AMELIA.-An upright grower buit shy bearer; ' f i 132 small; apex prominent and distinct; color yellow with splashes and dots of crimson; flesh yellow, red at pit, firm and rather coarse; quality fairly good; freestone; ripens August 2nd. ANGEL.-Tree prolific; fruit medium size, round and slightly pointed; skin yellow washed with red; flesh white, sweet; freestone; ripens July 10th to 14th; for home use. BEAUTY BLUSH.-Large upright tree, light foliage; heavy bearer; fruit medium to large; freestone; ripens June 30th to July 6th;. recommended for home use. BELLE-(Georgia Belle).-Tree of low spreading habit, vigorous. grower, and very productive; foliage heavy; fruit very large; skin greenish white with splashes of carmine; flesh white, firm, flavor sweet; quality good; freestone; ripens July 1st to 10th; good shipper;. highly recommended for home and market. CARMAN.-Tree round and well shaped, vigorous and medium size; foliage heavy; fruit large, round and flattened at cavity; skin light yellow with crimson patches deepening to magenta in sun; flesh white, quality fine, freestone when fully ripe; the best for its season; excellent shipper; ripens June 1st to 10th; highly recommended for home and market. CHAMPION.-Tree has spreading top, a heavy bearer; fruit round,. large; skin greenish yellow-rose in sun; flesh greenish white, solid, sub-acid; fair quality; good for commercial or home use; ripensJune 26th to July 6th. CHINESE CLING.-Open, spreading and fairly vigorous tree; fruit slightly oblong, very large; skin straw colored, with deep red: blush, striped and splashed; skin thin showing slight bruises; flesh white, reddish at pit, soft and tender; mild sub-acid, quality excellent; prolific; a good shipper, and also good for home use; ripens July 4th to 11th. COBLERS INDIAN.-A fair peach of medium size, ripening July 15th to the 20th, but not recommended for this section. DAWSON.-Tree slow growing, unproductive; fruit round, medium large; skin, upper half rich magenta in irregular splotches on crimson; lower half rich yellow; flesh yellow, flavor excellent, quality good; a poor shipper and not recommended for this section. Ripens June 15th. ADMIRAL DEWEY.-Tree an upright grower; winter kills badly; prolific; fruit medium to large, conical in shape; skin rough, red to yellow, flavor very good; quality fine; rots badly and a poor shipper; ripens June 10th to 15th. EARLY CRAWFORD.-Tree vigorous with open top; fruit mediums to large, round; skin yellow, reddish in sun, flesh yellow, reddish at pit, firm; freestone, quality good, shy bearer; ripens July 10th to 14th. Not recommended. ELBERTA.-Tree vigorous, spreading, with heavy foliage; a good bearer; fruit large, skin yellow, rose tinted in sun; flesh yellow, firm and juicy, sub-acid; good quality, excellent for shipping and home use; a standard variety; ripens July 8th to 20th. EMMA.-Tree of large upright form, very productive, but fruit rots and drops badly; fruit round, small; skin has tinge of pink on yellow ground; flesh yellow, sweet to sub-acid; quality fair; ripens July 15th to 25th, freestone, for home use. EVERBEARING.-Not promising so far; ripens July 18th to 22nd. FAMILY FAVORITE.-Tree vigorous, fruit ripens a day later than Champion, and resembles that fruit, being a little smaller, and " 133 not as heavy a bearer; flavor sub-acid; fair quality; ships fairly well; recommended for home use; ripens July 2nd to the 8th. FAME.-An upright growing tree; fruit medium size, freestone; yellow flesh; good quality; :rots badly; for home use only; ripens July 18th. FRANCES.-A large upright growing tree; fruit of medium size; skin magenta on yellow; flesh yellow, sweet; freestone; quality good; ripens July 15th to 19th. GLOBE.-A well shaped, vigorous tree of medium size, not prolific; fruit medium to large, round; skin a yellowish.green with pink. blush; flesh yellow, firm; sub-acid; fair quality, ships well, but being unproductive is not recommended; ripens July 14th to 17th. GOV. HOGG.-A large upright growing tree, fairly productive; foliage medium to heavy; fruit large, round; skin cream yellow with light crimson blush in sun; flesh cream yellow, pinkish near pit; slightly sub-acid; good quality; ripens June 22nd to 26th; too soft for shipment; recommended for home use. GRAY.-Tree spreading, fairly productive; fruit large, flesh yellow; freestone; acid; ripens June 26th to July 8th; not recommended. GREENSBORO.--Vigorous low spreading tree, with heavy foliage, and fairly productive; buds and wood hardy; fruit large, oblong, compressed; skin velvety, light yellow, pinkish about apex and along suture; flesh white, sweet and juicy; quality good; cracks badly; ripens at apex first, highly recommended for home use; ripens May 25th to June 1st. HILEY (Early Belle).-A low spreading, fairly vigorous tree; a rather irregular bearer; fruit conical, medium to large; skin very light yellow, with crimson blush; flesh white, tinged with red near tip, fairly firm and juicy; sub-acid; quality very good, a good shipper; ripens June 21st to 30th; recommended for home or market. HONEY (De Montigny).-Fruit medium size, oval compressed, suture deep, apex sharp recurved; skin. whitish yellow; flesh creamy white, juicy and very sweet; freestone; ripens July 1st to 10th; recommended for South Alabama. IMPERIAL (White Imperial).-Fruit medium to large, skin greenish yellow, washed with red; flesh white, sweet and juicy, flavor excellent; quality good; freestone; ripens July 10th to 14th. INGOLD (Lady Ingold), (Stark).-Wood and buds tender; fruited in 1906, ripening July 2nd to July 5th; fruits were well colored, seventy-five per cent dropped from brown rot; color deep yellow with red cheek, showy; flesh yellow, red at pit, juicy and good; freestone. LATE CRAWFORD (Crawford's Late).-Fruit of medium size, round; skin yellow with red cheek; flesh yellow, red at stone; tender, free; quality good; buds rather tender; only suitable to certain localities; a good shipper; ripens July 10th to 15th. LEMON CLING (Kennedy's Carolina).-An upright growing tree with medium sized foliage; fruit medium, conical; apex very prominent; skin lemon yellow with pink blush; flesh yellowish white, juicy, sweet; quality excellent; ship;s fairly well; fairly productive; ripens July 17th to 26th. MAMIE ROSS.-A low spreading tree of medium size, with heavy foliage and of medium productiveness; fruit large, round; skin thick, tenacious, light yellow, pinkish near apex; flesh yellow, sub-acid; quality good; home use, promising for some localities, particularly South Alabama; freestone; ripens May 28th to June 10th. MATTHEWS (Matthews' Beauty).-Tree with large spreading top; vigorous; medium sized foliage and very productive; fruit medium to large, oval; skin greenish yellow with pink splash; flesh 134 :yellow, firm, sub-acid; recommended for home use; a fair shipper; ripens July 6th to 14th. MAYFLOWER.-A low spreading tree; productive, fruit medium sized, oval; apex pointed; surface velvety, dark red and evenly col.ored; flesh greenish white, juicy and soft, sub-acid; quality fair; clingstone; a good bearer and good shipper; valuable for its earliness; ripens May 15th to 20th. McKINNEL.-An upright, rank growing tree with heavy foliage, very productive but very susceptible to rot; trees must be thoroughly sprayed to secure a crop; fruit conical, medium to large; apex small and sharp pointed; surface smooth, red to greenish yellow; flesh yellowish white, fine grained; flavor very good, juicy; quality very good; ripens May 25th to June 5th. MOUNTAIN ROSE.-Tree vigorous with a spreading top and medium foliage; fruit medium sized, roundish; color white with red in sun; flesh white, slightly red at pit, juicy and sweet; freestone; productive; good for home use; ripens July 1st to the 9th. OLDMIXON FREE.-Fruit small to medium sized; color white with red cheek; flesh white and red at pit; fair quality; good for home use only; ripens September 10th to 25th. sized; medium ONDERDONK (Onderdonk's Favorite).-Fruit skin and flesh yellow; productive; freestone; ripens July 15th to 21st. OVIEDA.-A spreading slender branched tree; fruit oval and small; color yellow, blushed with red-attractive; prolific; ripens July 3rd to the 15th. Home use; particularly the southern portion of the state. PALLAS (Honeydew).-A medium sized peach; red tipped at base and apex with light yellow; flesh white, fine grained; freestone; ripens July 6th to 10th. A variety adapted to the southern portion of the state. PEENTO (Chinese Flat).-Fruit medium sized, flattened at both ends; skin pale greenish white with mottling of red in sun; flesh light yellow, sweet and juicy; clingstone. This, like the other varieties of the Peento group, should only be planted in the extreme southern sections of the state, as they bloom so early; ripens June 30th to July 5th. PICQUET (Picquet's Late).-A medium to large peach; color yellow with a red cheek; flesh yellow, rich, sweet and of good flavor; ripens July 28th to August 4th. REEVES (Reeve's Favorite). A round, medium sized peach; apex elongated pointed; color yellow green with magneta in sun; flesh yellow, firm, sub-acid; quality rather poor; ripens July 12th to the 15th; prolific, RIVERS (Early Rivers).-A very hardy spreading, vigorous tree; fruit medium to large, conical; surface smooth, white with dark crimson blush in sun; flesh white, firm, fine grained, juicy; very good quality. Too soft to ship; fairly productive and good for home use; ripens June 10th to the 20th. SALWAY.-Fruit large, not attractive yet it ships well and ripens so late that it is very desirable; color yellow, mottled with brownish red; flesh yellow, firm, sub-acid; ripens July 30th to August 6th. SIMMS.-An upright vigorous tree with heavy foliage; not prolific and rots badly; fruit of medium size, round; color yellow splashed with red stripes; bloom abundant; skin tough and thick; flesh yellow slightly juicy, sub-acid; quality good; freestone; ripens July 20th to 27th. SLAPPEY.-Upright growing tree, foliage heavy, fairly productive; fruit medium to large, conical; apex elongated, slightly rounded; color bright orange yellow with red cheek; flesh yellow, mealy; qual- 135 ity very good; ripens June 19th to the 27th; recommended for commercial or home use. SMOCK (Smock's Free).-An upright growing tree, not hardy, leaves, medium to large; rather productive; fruit medium in size, roundish; color yellow with red cheek; flesh yellow, dry; quality fair; rots badly; recommended for home use only; ripens July 2nd to 6th. SNEED (Peeble's May Cling).-A large spreading tree bearing well when young; fruit medium in size, oval; color creamy white with red blush in sun; flesh white, juicy; semi-cling; quality poor; not recommended; ripens May 15th to June 2nd. STINSON (Stinson's October).-Fruit large, oval; color creamy white; flesh white with pink veins; scabs badly in Station orchard; ripens October 4th to 8th. SUSQUEHANNAH (Griffith Mammoth).-An upright medium sized hardy tree; not prolific; fruit large, oval; apex prominent point; surface smooth; color lemon yellow tinted in sun with magenta blush; skin thick, tenacious; flesh yellow, rather stringy, very good, subacid; freestone; ripens July 15th to the 20th. TABER.-A large tree, upright, hardy, prolific, with medium sized leaves; fruit medium to large, round; surface yellow, crimson blush in places; flesh whitish yellow, juicy, sub-acid, quality fairly good; excellent for canning; ripens July 1st to the 15th. THURBER.-A medium sized tree, low spreading; productive; fruit large; color creamy white, light crimson in sun; ots small red and numerous; flesh white, red at pit, juicy; freestone; quality very good; a good shipper; ripens July 15th to the 24th; recommended for home use. TILLOTSON (Early Tillotson).-Fruit medium sized, white, practically covered with red; not prolific; ripens June 27th to July 6th. TRIUMPH.-A strong tall growing tree, hardy, very prolific; fruit medium to large, conical; color yellow splashed with maroon; larger portion being covered with red; flesh bright yellow, red at pit; semicling but free when ripe; ripens June 3rd to the 10th; variety for home use or shipping. VICTORIA.-A large, round fruit; color yellow; flesh yellow, juicy; freestone; fairly productive; suitable for south sections of the state; ripens June 23rd. WADDELL.-A low open spreading tree, hardy but not vigorous; leaves medium to large; fruit medium to large; color yellow with pipk patches; flesh white, firm and juicy; very productive; an excellent shipper; recommended for general planting; ripe June 28th to July 2nd. WALDO.-Fruit medium sized; roundish oblong; color light yellow, dark red in sunlight; flesh yellowish white, red at pit; sweet and of good quality; freestone; suitable for planting in south portion of state with the others of the Peento group; ripens June 16th to 24th. Varieties and Date of Opening Normal Blooming Dates of Buds for Season of 1911 FEB. Normal Ripening Dates at Auburn, Ala. MAY 30 8 JUNE 17 26 At Auburn, Ala. MARCH J 5 JULY 14 '23 1 AUGUST Alexander --------------- -- Amelia 2-13-11._ ________ ---0 --Angel 12-8-11 --- Beauty Blush 2-13-11--_______ Belle -----------------------Carman 2-21-11------------- Champ ion 2-21.11----_-_ U U Chinese Cling 2-15-11_Cobblers Indiani 2-8-11 ----- Dawson-- - ------- -Dewey 2-21-11 Admiral ---. Early Crawford 2-4-11 Elberta 2-14-11-- 11U ____------ - ----- lsslU U U I Emma - - - - - - Everbearing Family Favorite 2-13-11 Fame---Frances - - - - - - - - U Globe 2-15-11----- Gov. Hogg 2-21-11--- n I~ . I ~--~-r~-~--~--~ I I I I Ir Varieties and Date of Opening Normal Blooming Dates At Auburn, Ala. of Buds for Season of 1911 FEB. MARCH __ Normal Ripening Dates at Auburn, Ala. MAYJUNE I 21 301 5 ULY 8 14172023262912581114172023 261 AUGUST 10 19 27 24 17 10 13 16 19 21 24 Gray ----- --- Greensboro Filey-------Honey------- -- Imperial- -- - - -- - Ingold -------- Late CrawfordLemon ClingMamie Ross-Matthews ---- _ May flower 2-26-11 --- - - - - -M cKinnel------Mountain Rose-Oldmixon------Onderdonk 2-8-11 Ovieda 2-8-11_----- Sept. 10-25 U --Pallas 1-18-05 2-12-11_Peento 1-22-11 --- ----Picquat 2-21-11-------ee--es-- Normal Blooming Dates Varieties and Date of Opening of Buds for Season of 1911 ,FEB. 27 At Auburn, Ala 7 16 19 Normal Ripening Dates at Auburn Ala. MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST MARCH, 24 1i 21 301 8 17 2615 14 23 Ii 10 19 Rivers 2-27-11 --- ---- ------- Saiway 2-15-11_________________ Simms------------------------- Slappey 2-15-11---------------Smock 3-21-11- ------ - ----- Sneed 2-21-11 ----------------- Stinson 2-21-11-- Oct. 4-8 Susquehannah 2-19-11----Taber-2-11-11--------Thurber 2-12-11-------Tillotson -- -- -- --- --- Triumph --- V ictoria-- -- - - - - - - - - Waddell -- - - - - - - - - Waldo 2-2-11------- I I Charts Showing Maximum and Minimum Temperatures Recorded by the Horticultural Department atAuburn, Ala., for the Years 1904-1911, Inclusive, During the Peach Blooming Period. FL Fig.: 4. Fig. 6. CONTENTS PAGE After-care of Orchard -- -Arsenate of Lead- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- Brown Rot - -- ----- - - 121 123 1 130 ----- By-products -Canning Outfits--Description of Varieties--------- ---- --Diseases ---- - - 130 131-135 126 D istance to Plant- - - --- - - --- - - --- - - --- - - --114 Fertilizers - -- ----- --- ---- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- 115 Forming the head of Tree----- ---- -- - - - --- 118 H arvesting -- -- - -- ---- - - - - - - - - - - - -127 Insects-123 Laying Off Orchard---- ---- - -114 Lime-Sulfur Wash__1__________2____ _-__ _---15 Lim ing Soil-------- ---- -- - - - - - - - - - - 117 Location for Orchards-- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - -111 Marketing127 Packing ----------------------------129 Peach Tree Borer- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - --- --125 Planting----113 Plum Curculio- - ---------------------------------------------- 123 Profits -----------123 Pruning -- - - - -- - - -117 Self-Boiled Lime-Sulfur -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -126 -- Selection of Selection of Trees - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - -113 Varieties - - --- -- -- - - - ----- - - - - - - - -131 --- - - - -- Site for Orchard Thinning---- - - - - - - - - - - - --- -- --- 112 127 Plate Plate 1. 2. One year old-peach Two year old peach tree -- - - - - - - - - -- - - -- --118 tree ----- --- ---------119 Plate 3. 4. Plate Four year old Carman Showing equipment for tree-12 preparing Lime-Sulfur Wash and - -----_-124 straining wash into spray barrel Plate 5. An Alabamja product. An express shipment of peaches _-.---128 Figs. 1-3. (harts showing average blooming and ripening dates of peach varieties at Auburn, Ala. Figs. 4-6 Charts showing maximum and minimun temperatures during the blooming period for the years 1904 to 1911, inclusive- 139-141. -136-138