220 CALIFORNIA FRUITS I HOW TO GROW THEM 



Bergetti. An undetermined variety introduced by Mr. Bergetti and widely 

 distributed under his name in the San Joaquin. 



Hemskirke. A fine English variety quite widely grown in California ; ripens 

 later than Royal ; described by Downing as follows : "Fruit large, roundish, but 

 considerably compressed or flattened on its sides; skin orange, with red cheek; 

 flesh bright orange, tender, rather more juicy and sprightly than the Moorpark, 

 with rich, luscious, plum-like flavor; stone not perforate, rather small, and 

 kernel bitter." Esteemed in California because the tree is more hardy and a 

 more regular bearer than the Moorpark, and the fruit ripens evenly on both 

 sides. Sometimes drops worse than other varieties. 



Peach. A variety from Piedmont of the largest size, about two inches in 

 diameter, roundish, rather flattened, and somewhat compressed on its sides, with 

 a well-marked suture; skin yellow in the shade, but deep orange mottled with 

 brown on the sunny side; flesh of a fine yellow, saffron color, juicy, rich, and 

 high flavored; stone can be penetrated like Moorpark, and has bitter kernel. 

 This has been a very successful sort in the warmer parts of the State especially, 

 and a favorite in the Sacramento Valley, but is now in less favor because of 

 rapid ripening and inferior appearance in canning and drying. It ripens just 

 ahead of the Moorpark. 



Moorpark. A standard of excellence and an old variety which originated in 

 England. Fruit large, roundish, about two inches and a quarter in diameter each 

 way; rather larger on one side of the suture than on the other; skin orange in 

 the shade, but deep orange or brownish red in the sun, marked with numerous 

 dark specks and dots ; flesh quite firm, bright orange, parting free from the stone, 

 quite juicy, with a rich and luscious flavor; stone peculiarly perforated along the 

 back, where a pin may be pushed through ; kernel bitter. In California the 

 Moorpark reaches grand size, but has the fault of ripening unevenly in most 

 localities. The tree is tender and bears irregularly, which leads to its rejection 

 by most planters, though some growers cling to it because of its size and quality 

 and occasional grand crops. The San Jose districts lead in the production of 

 this variety, and in some parts of the Santa Clara Valley the Moorpark seems to 

 ripen uniformly. The same behavior is reported from localities in the upper San 

 Joaquin Valley, where it also seems to be a more regular bearer. The variety is 

 almost wholly rejected in Southern California. 



VARIETIES OF CALIFORNIA ORIGIN 



Newcastle. Originated with C. M. Silva & Son, of Newcastle, Placer county, 

 in 1881 ; size medium, round, with spherical pit ; freestone ; not quite as large as 

 the Royal, nor quite as rich in flavor, but more highly colored ; rather darker on 

 the side to the sun. Early, regular and good bearer, a medium grower, being 

 more upright than the Royal. Its time of ripening has been reported as seventeen 

 days earlier than the Early Golden, and twenty-five days earlier than the Royal. 



Routier's Peach. Originated with Joseph Routier, near Sacramento. Large, 

 yellow in shade ; deep orange, mottled or splashed with red in the sun ; flesh 

 juicy and rich, high flavor and a good market variety. Blooms a week later 

 than Peach. Very popular in Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. 



Spark's Mammoth. Popular in Ventura county. Largest size, even larger 

 than Moorpark; pale yellow, very tender, juicy and sweet; abandoned for shy 

 bearing. 



Tilton. Chance seedling first noticed about 1885 on place of J. E. Tilton, near 

 Hanford, Kings county, and distinguished by regular bearing. Propagated and 

 introduced by J. W. Bairstow, of Hanford. Fruit large ; freestone ; symmetrical, 

 ripening evenly and one week to ten days later than Royal. Tree vigorous and 

 prolific. Widely planted recently and very promising, though condemned for shy 

 bearing in some places. Colors in advance of ripening and is often picked too 

 green for best quality in drying. 



Late Englehardt. Chance seedling originating at La Crescenta. Propagated 

 and introduced by W. B. Thorne of Tropico. Large as Moorpark, ripening 

 evenly and twenty-eight days later than Royal. Claimed to be a very late 

 bloomer, and thus escaping frosts which caught all other varieties at similar 

 elevations. Planted chiefly in Los Angeles county. 



