Peach Varieties, Bbtany and Classification 389 



cases the varieties have originated as chance seedlings and 

 of but few of the varieties is more than one parent known. 

 However, the varieties are grouped with the Chinese Cling 

 race because the characteristics of that group predominate 

 in them. 



Persian race. 



Onderdonk's statement in part concerning this race is: 

 "The race includes all varieties springing from the importa- 

 tion from Persia to Italy during the reign of the Emperor 

 Claudius, which was introduced into Great Britain about 

 1550 and to the American colonies about 1680. They are all 

 late bloomers and cannot carry their foliage through the 

 growing season of the southern portion of the belt in which 

 they are cultivated. This race includes the varieties usually 

 propagated in the northern nurseries and composes the bulk 

 of the northern orchards." 



It is of interest to reflect that the statement quoted was 

 published in 1887. The expression with regard to the bulk 

 of the northern orchards being composed of varieties of this 

 race was then in accord with the fact, but since that time the 

 most prominent varieties named above under the discussion 

 of the North China or Chinese Cling group have originated, 

 and to a large extent they now comprise the northern orchards. 

 As pointed out, however, it is probable that many of them 

 contain "Persian blood," though the predominating char- 

 acters are those of the Chinese Cling group. 



Some of the better-known varieties of the Persian race 

 named by Price are : Alexander, Crothers, Early Hale, 

 Foster, Heath, Gold Drop, Hynes, Ingold (Lady Ingold), 

 Late Crawford, Mountain Rose, Oldmixon Free, Picquet, 

 Reeves, Rivers, St. John, Salwey, Tuskena (Tuscan), Walker. 



