180 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



CLASSIFICATION. 



The systematic classification of peaches, first begun by 

 Miller and Duhamel, and afterwards greatly improved by 

 Mr. Robertson, [See Lond. Hort. Trans. Vol. HI. p. 384,] 

 was brought still nearer to perfection by the Count Lelieur, 

 by the editors of the Bon Jardinier, and by Mr. Lindley. 

 The systems of these last named differ not, however, from 

 each other very essentially. 



The peach and the nectarine, both considered by the 

 French writers as one and the same fruit, yet form separate 

 classes. They have been divided into four classes 1st, 

 the Peches, Freestone peaches, or those whose flesh sepa- 

 rates from the stone ; 2d, the Pavies, Clingstone peaches, 

 or those whose flesh adheres to the stone ; 3d, the Peches 

 lisse, Smooth peaches, or Freestone nectarines ; 4th, the 

 Brugnons, or Clingstone nectarine. The flowers form three 

 divisions, accordingly as they vary in size; they are also 

 distinguished by their color ; and the leaves, from the dif- 

 ference in their formation, are divided into three classes. 

 Thus by these various distinctions, together with the vary- 

 ing 'qualities of the fruit itself, and the variation in the 

 growth of the tree, the accurate observer will be enabled 

 with facility, if not with certainty, to identify and to de- 

 scribe any particular variety. 



The form of the glands, and their position, are distinctly 

 visible with the complete formation of the leaf; they re- 

 tain their character permanently, till the leaf falls in au- 

 tumn. The globose glands are to be found, on the foot- 

 stalks one, two, or more, and one, two, or more on the 

 points of the serratures. The reniform glands are also 

 situated, some on the footstalks, but those on the leaves 

 grow within the serratures ; they connect together, seem- 

 ingly, the upper and lower teeth of the serratures ; the 

 leaves of very vigorous branches have a greater number 

 of glands than are produced on the leaves of the globose 

 varieties. Sometimes, however, glands are only discerni- 

 ble on the leaves produced by branches of vigorous growth. 



It has been stated, that the leaves, from the difference in 

 their formation, are divided into three classes; and that 

 the flowers also form three divisions, accordingly as they 

 vary in size The following figures representing the dif- 



