NOTES ON PEACHES. 



SEASON OF 1880. 



[Published in The Cultivator and Country Gentleman, January 0, 1881.] 



The season of 1880 was remarkably favorable for the peach crop in Wes- 

 tern New York. An experimental orchard embracing 114 varieties, which 

 we set out three years ago came into bearing for the first time and en- 

 abled us to test the leading standard sorts, besides many of the older 

 kinds which are little known, as well as several novelties. I give the re- 

 sults of our observations, naming the kinds as nearly as possible in the order 

 of ripening. 



The Early Sorts. 



On the 24th of July we gathered fine specimens of Briggs' Red May. 

 This variety originated in California, and was one of the first of the very 

 early sorts brought to notice. It has much the same character as the Alex- 

 ander and Amsden, and is hardly distinct enough to be grown under a sep- 

 arate name. Mr. Myers, a prominent peach-grower of Bridgeville, Delaware, 

 says it is less liable to rot than either Alexander or Amsden. He also states 

 that a well-known pomologist of Georgia, after having seen Briggs' Red 

 May two years, believes it superior to Alexander or Amsden for shipping. 



July 26. We have before us splendid specimens of Alexander and 

 Amsden. The difference between them is very slight. Alexander, however, 

 appears to average larger, and is less disposed to decay upon the tree. 



July 27. To-day we received a fine basket of Waterloo peaches, gathered 

 from the original tree. These are fully up to the standard. Next year we 

 hope to have fruit from our own trees, when the opportunities for com- 

 parison will be better. 



July 29. This morning we find upon our table a remarkable collection 

 of peaches. Alexander, Amsden, High's Early Canada, and Harper's Early 

 are ripe and beautiful. All these varieties bear a striking resemblance to 

 each other. High's Early parts more freely from the stone than the others, 

 and Harper's Early seems to excel in flavor. 



August 2. We sold Alexander and Amsden to-day at the rate of $3 per 

 bushel. The specimens were superb, many measuring eight inches in cir- 

 cumference, and weighing four and a half ounces. 



August 4. Early Beatrice is now ripe, but after enjoying such mag- 

 nificent fruit as we have for the last few days, this small peach fails to give 

 satisfaction, and is of little value here. Mr. Myers writes me he has mar- 

 keted thousands of bushels of this peach, and he finds it valuable ; though 

 small, it is produced very abundantly ; the tree is hardy, and the fruit is ex- 

 empt from rot. 



