VARIETIES OF NECTARINES 341 



and the fruit is pronounced about the best. The variety is 

 grown as commonly as any other in eastern America either in 

 the greenhouse or in the garden. This variety came from 

 Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, England. 



Tree rather large, vigorous, as hardy as any, regular and productive 

 in bearing. Fruit early, large 2^2 inches in diameter, ovate, regular; 

 cavity wide and rather deep; suture wide and shallow; apex depressed 

 with a nipple in the depression; color pale cream, mottled and streaked 

 with blood-red, with a dark crimson cheek on the side to the sun; flesh 

 white, very tender, melting, juicy, without red at the stone, piquant 4 

 quality good; stone free, rather large, ovate, pointed, corrugated, slightly 

 pitted. 



526. Hardwicke. — In southern California, Hardwicke is the 

 favorite nectarine, being the heaviest and most dependable 

 bearer. The fruits are said to make a most excellent dried 

 product, as the cured nectarines have a rich flavor, and the 

 flesh becomes almost translucent and of a beautiful amber tint. 

 Eastern nurserymen do not offer the variety, and it is doubtful 

 whether trees can be found in the East. It is an old English 

 nectarine introduced into the United States sometime previous 

 to 1850. 



Tree vigorous, hardy, spreading, productive. Fruit midseason, very 

 large, round or sometimes round-oval; color pale green almost covered with 

 dark purplish-red which becomes a solid color on the sunny side; flesh 

 greenish, stained with red at the stone, tender and melting, juicy, rich 

 and sweet; quality good; stone of medium size, free, ovate. 



527. Downton is a staunch commercial variety wherever this 

 fruit is widely grown, vigor of tree and great productiveness 

 recommending it. It is a second early sort, ripening at Geneva, 

 New York, early in September. The original plant was raised 

 by the famous pomologist, T. A. Knight, Downton Castle, Here- 

 fordshire, England. 



Tree of medium size, upright-spreading, hardy, very productive. Fruit 

 midseason, 2 inches in diameter, round-oval; cavity medium in width and 

 depth; suture shallow; apex a sharp tip; color greenish -white, with a clean 

 lively red cheek next to the sun; flesh pale green, red at the stone, juicy, 

 tender, fine-grained, sweet mingled with some piquancy, rich, aromatic; 

 quality very good; stone free, ovate medium in size, corrugated. 



