[Transcriber's Note: Bold text denoted with =equal signs=, italic text denoted with _underscores_.] [Illustration: [Hand written text:] Yours sincerly, A. J. Downing] STATE OF NEW YORK--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Twenty-Fourth Annual Report--Vol. 2--Part II THE PEACHES OF NEW YORK BY U. P. HEDRICK ASSISTED BY G. H. HOWE O. M. TAYLOR C. B. TUBERGEN Report of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station for the Year 1916 II ALBANY J. B. LYON COMPANY, PRINTERS 1917 NEW YORK AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, GENEVA, N. Y., _January 31, 1917_. _To the Honorable Board of Control of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station_: GENTLEMEN:--I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of the fifth in our series of fruit-publications, to be known as "The Peaches of New York," and to constitute Part II of the report of this institution for 1916. Peach-growing is an important industry in the State of New York. In certain counties the production of this fruit has been a main factor in the well-known prosperity of many owners of peach-orchards. Moreover, the peach, when at its best, is a luscious article of food and adds greatly not only to the enjoyment, but to the healthfulness, of our diet. The commercial and dietary importance of the peach is, therefore, the justification for the preparation of this volume. Because the numerous varieties of peaches differ greatly in quality and in their adaptation to varying conditions, a comprehensive study of those varieties which are, or which may be, grown in this State seemed greatly worth while. It is with a feeling of satisfaction, even of pride, that I submit to you the accompanying manuscript. Its preparation reflects great credit upon Prof. Hedrick and his associates and upon the makers of the plates. W. H. JORDAN, _Director_. PREFACE The present volume is the fifth in the plan of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station to make a more or less complete record of all of the different fruits grown in this region. This work differs from the preceding fruit-books but little or not at all in nature and purposes, yet a statement of its contents, even though it be almost identical with that in the prefaces of the preceding volumes, is necessary for those who may not have the other books and may be a convenience to those who have all of the series. The title implies that _The Peaches of New York_ is written for the confines of a state; but all varieties of the peach grown in North America, as well as many known only in other continents, Europe especially, have been considered, under the supposition that all might be grown in New York and are therefore of interest to the peach-growers of the State. Broadly speaking, then, the design is to make the book as complete a record as possible of the development of the peach, wherever grown, up to this time.