NECTARINE NOT COMMERCIALLY GREAT 253 



nectarine has also figured in the anticipation. It is, however, question- 

 able how far this anticipation has been realized, for it is estimated that 

 the amount of dried nectarines is less than two per cent and of canned 

 nectarines less than one-half of one per cent of the respective forms of 

 peaches. Nor does the demand call for change in this proportion, for 

 there is a slight advantage in the market value of the peach even in its 

 great preponderance of supply. During the last decade many nectar- 

 ines have been rooted out to be replaced by peach trees, or have been 

 grafted over into peaches. There are, however, some growers who are 

 confident that the nectarine will in the future rank much higher in 

 the California fruit product. It would please growers and fruit driers 

 and canners to popularize the nectarine, for its smooth skin makes it 

 as easy to handle as an apricot, and the beauty of the product, which 

 certainly exceeds that of the peach and is rather more easily attained, 

 is very gratifying to the producer. 



VARIETIES OF THE NECTARINE 



Varieties of the nectarine, as of the peach, show different local 

 adaptations, and are valued by growers accordingly. The varieties 

 grown, are, however, comparatively few. The following have been 

 found most satisfactory in California; the descriptions are somewhat 

 condensed from Downing's treatise, modified to suit local growth, and 

 arranged approximately in the order of the ripening of the varieties. 



Advance. Large, round, green, marked with red and brown; flesh greenish 

 white; rich and well flavored. The earliest to ripen. 



Lord Napier (English). Large, pale, cream color with dark red cheek; flesh 

 white, melting, tender and juicy, separating freely from stone; leaf glands reni- 

 form and flowers large. Especially commended as a heavy and regular bearer ; 

 pronounced best in flavor at Pomona Experiment Station. 



Downton (English). Leaves with reniform glands; flowers small; fruit 

 large, roundish oval; skin pale green, with deep violet red cheek; flesh pale 

 green, slightly red at the stone, which is free, melting rich, and very good. 



Early Newington (English). Leaves serrated without glands, flowers large; 

 fruit large, roundish ovate, a little enlarged on one side, and terminating with an 

 acute, swollen point ; skin pale green, but nearly covered with bright red and 

 coated with thin bloom ; flesh greenish white, but deep red at stone, which 

 adheres closely, juicy, sugary, rich, and excellent. 



Hardwicke (English.) Leaves with globose glands; fruit very large, round- 

 ish, inclining to oval ; skin pale green, with deep violet red cheek ; flesh pale 

 green, slightly marked with red at the stone, melting, rich, and highly-flavored; 

 freestone. This variety is a favorite in Southern California; described by the 

 Southern California Nurserymen's Association as being the only satisfactory 

 bearer. 



Boston. Raised from a peach stone by T. Lewis, of Boston; tree hardy and 

 productive ; leaves with globose glands ; flowers small ; fruit large and handsome, 

 roundish oval, bright yellow, with deep red cheek; flesh yellow to the stone 

 (which is small and pointed), sweet, though not rich, with pleasant and peculiar 

 flavor ; freestone ; a general favorite in California. 



New White ; syn. Large White. Leaves with reniform glands ; flowers large ; 

 fruit rather large, nearly round ; skin white with occasionally slight tinge of red ; 

 flesh white, tender, very iuicy, with rich, vinous flavor; stone small and free 

 commanded wherever nectarines are grown in California, and more freely planted 

 than all other nectarines combined. 



