4IO BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



5. Persian Race. — The seed is globular, with corrugations 

 prominent toward the apex (Fig. 171, E, F) ; the fruit is much 

 hke the preceding. The common varieties of peaches grown 

 in northern orchards belong to this race. Varieties: Crothers, 

 Foster, Late Crawford, Reeves, Salway, Walker. 



In addition to the above, the Nectarine should be added 

 as a variety of peach. It differs from the common peach in 

 that its fruit is smaller, the skin is smoother, and the leaves 

 are commonly" more prominently toothed. There are both 

 freestone and clingstone nectarines. It is known that 

 nectarines appear on peach trees and peaches on nectarine 

 trees. Such fruits that thus appear are evidently "bud 

 variants." 



Uses, and Production of Peaches in the United States. — 

 The fruit is used largely as a dessert, both fresh, dried and 

 canned. Peaches are usually pitted before they are dried. 

 The seeds of the peach, as well as those of almond, apricot 

 and plums, contain both fixed and volatile oils, which are of 

 commercial value. 



There are peach interests of commercial importance in a 

 large proportion of the States. The total output of peaches 

 for the country in 191 5 was 64,218,000 bushels, which were 

 sold at an average farm price of 81.1 cents. CaHfornia led 

 in production, with 9,768,000 bushels. The other nine lead- 

 ing States, in the order of their output, were Arkansas, 

 Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Alabama, Kansas, Tennessee, 

 Oklahoma and Ohio. 



ALMONDS 



Description. — The common almond is Prunus amygdalus 

 (Amygdalus\ommunis). The tree is much Hke the peach in 

 shape and 'size. The flower buds are axillary along with 

 branch buds, as in the peach and apricot. The leaves are 



