SEPTEMBER, 205 



Mr. George Lindley founded a classification of Peaches and Nectarines, 

 which every cultivator ought to make himself acquainted with. It is 

 to be found in the Horticultural Transactions, and in a very useful, 

 though in many points erroneous, work entitled A Guide to the 

 Orchard and Kitchen- Garden. In this paper I shall wholly reject 

 the division termed " Clingstone Peaches" — that is, those kinds 

 whose flesh adheres firmly to the stone — as being unworthy of culti- 

 vation. The varieties I shall describe are well known to most gar- 

 deners ; but these papers being intended more especially for the use 

 of amateurs, I have selected those kinds which are generally con- 

 sidered the best, in preference to others which are less common but 

 inferior in merit. It should also be explained, that the time of ripen- 

 ing stated refers to the neighbourhood of London ; further north they 

 would be somewhat later. A favourable or unfavourable west situa- 

 tion will likewise cause a difference of several days in this respect. 



1. Royal George. 



Synonyms, according to Horticultural Society's Fruit Cata- 

 logue : Millet's Mignonne, lied Magdalen, French Chan- 

 cellor (of some), Madeleine Rouge a Petites Fleurs, Lock- 

 yer's Mignonne, Griffin's Mignonne, Early Royal George, 

 Early Bourdine (of some). Double Swalsh (of some), 

 Superb. 

 Flowers small, dull deep red. Leaves serrated, glandless. Fruit 

 large, nearly round in form, but frequently a little flattened on the 

 summit ; suture (that is, the line which divides the fruit on one of 

 its sides into two parts,) moderately deep. Skin very dark purplish 

 red where freely exposed, breaking off into small red dots towards 

 the shaded side, which is dull yellowish white. Flesh white, deeply 

 rayed with red round the stone ; perfectly melting, very juicy and 

 rich. The stone is moderately large and of a reddish colour. This 

 excellent Peach, which is suitable either for a wall or a peach-house, 

 generally ripens from the beginning to the middle of September, al- 

 though in some seasons ripe fruit may be obtained in the end of 

 August. The foliage is rather subject to mildew in some situations. 



2. Noblesse. 



Synonyms, according to Horticultural Society's Fruit Cata- 

 logue : Mellish's Favourite, Vanguard, Lord Montague's 

 Noblesse. 

 Flowers large, pale blush. Leaves serrated, glandless. Fruit 

 large, generally roundish, with a slightly flattened apex, upon which 

 there is a small protuberance or nipple ; occasionally, however, the 

 fruit acquires a more elongated shape, and then the crown is more 

 rounded and the nipple less prominent. Skin pale yellowish green 

 on the shaded side, next the sun dull red marbled with lengthened 

 patches of a deeper colour. Flesh greenish white, in most cases 

 throughout, but in some fruit a slight tinge of red is perceptible 

 round the stone, which is large, ovate, pointed, and of a brown 

 colour. This variety is highly esteemed, being large, handsome, and 

 of excellent flavour when eaten at the proper period, but if allowed 

 to become over-rine on the tree, it is apt to become mealy. Season, 



