326 [ THE PEACH AND THE NECTARINE 



The following are the peaches and nectarines grown 

 in these Islands. 



PEACHES. 



1. EARLY MALTA PEACH. (Maltese=&zz/^fl bicria). 

 The fruit is middling or small, well pointed with a deep 

 side groove, and very hairy. The peel is yellowish green 

 or pale yellow, with a pink flush towards the sun. The 

 flesh is pale greenish yellow or cream yellow, of fine 

 texture, juicy, sweet, with a fine aroma. Matures towards 

 the close of June and in July. It is a freestone peach. 

 This and the next are two ancient local sorts and are 

 very productive. 



2. MALTA PEACH. (Maltese=^^ ta Malta. 

 French ***Belle de Paris, or d 'Italic}. The fruit is middling 

 or large, almost round with a shallow groove, but some- 

 times pointed. The peel is pale yellow, well haired, with 

 a large red or deep pink flush towards the sun. The 

 flesh is creamy white, sometimes red close to the stone, 

 of buttery consistence, juicy, sweet, fragrant, and of 

 excellent quality, and separates well from the stone. 

 Matures in August. This peach is now rather extensively 

 grown in Southern Europe and France under various 

 names, and is an esteemed market sort. Travels well, 

 and is also a desirable peach for the table. 



3. GROSSE MIGNONNE. (Ma\tese=%autia francisa). 

 The fruit is large or very large, round sometimes slightly 

 depressed at the navel, with a deep groove. The peel 

 is thin but tough and peels off easily, it is well hairy with 

 a velvety touch. The colour is greenish white or very 

 pale yellow, broadly flushed crimson or dark red. The 

 flesh is white or greenish white, rose or pink close to the 

 stone, very juicy and sweet, with a fine perfume. It is a 

 freestone and matures in August. The tree is well 

 productive. 



4. SEA EAGLE. (M.=frau/ia bajda}. The fruit is 

 large or very large, round, sometimes irregular, with a 



