If set out in the fall, I should mound up
the earth eighteen inches about them, to protect the roots and
stem, and to keep the tree firmly in the soil. With this
precaution, I am not sure but that fall planting has the greater
advantage, except when the climate is very severe and subject to
great alternations. Plant with the same care and on the same
principles which have been already described. If a careful system
of pruning is to be adopted, the trees may be set out twelve feet
apart; but if they are to be left to grow at will, which I regret
to say is the usual practice, they should be planted fifteen feet
from each other.
There are many good reasons why the common orchard culture of the
peach should not be adopted in the garden. There is no fruit more
neglected and ill-treated than the beautiful and delicious peach.
The trees are very cheap, usually costing but a few cents each;
they are bought by the thousand from careless dealers, planted
with scarcely the attention given to a cabbage-plant, and too
often allowed to bear themselves to death. The land, trees, and
cultivation cost so little that one good crop is expected to
remunerate for all outlay. If more crops are obtained, there is so
much clear gain. Under this slovenly treatment there is, of
course, rapid deterioration in the stamina of the peach.
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