Peach Variety Testing in Southwestern Ontario

Abstract

Southwestern Ontario, for purposes of this article, is located between the Niagara fruit growing district and Michigan, and is enclosed by Lake Erie in the south and Lake Huron in the northwest. Peaches have been grown here for more than a hundred years, but not without severe setbacks from winter injury in 1899, 1920 and 1934. In recent years orchards have been planted mainly to the productive yellow-fleshed freestone varieties such as Redhaven, Golden Jubilee, Halehaven and Elberta. Fortunately, two of these varieites, Golden Jubilee and Elberta, are preferred by the expanding processesing industry for canning in halves because of ease of peeling without lye; and a third variety, Halehaven, can be used for baby food. The fourth variety, Redhaven, does not peel well, but is ideally suited to the basket trade and could be quick-frozen should some interest develop. Redhaven has set an excellent standard in appearance, quality and productiveness which should be maintained throughout the season from early August to mid-September by wise selection from available varieties.