328 [ THE PEACH AND THE NECTARINE 



8. SNEED. The tree is fairly vigorous and a huge 

 cropper, and grows to a fair size. The fruit is middling 

 or small, and generally requires much thinning or will 

 remain too small. The shape is oval with a small pointed 

 navel, or round and plump when properly thinned. The 

 peel is greenish yellow or very pale yellow, flushed pink 

 or red towards the sun, and peels oft easily at maturity. 

 The flesh is creamy white or greenish white, very juicy, 

 and adheres firmly to the stone, which is smal] and 

 remains pale yellow. This is the earliest peach in culti- 

 vation and rather poor in flavour, no doubt owing to its 

 earliness. Matures between the I5th May and the I5th 

 June, and therefore commands a good price at the market. 

 Introduced in 1905. 



9. C6TE D'AZUR. The tree is almost as productive 

 as the preceding sort but is more vigorous and grows to 

 a larger size. The fruit is of the same shape and quality, 

 but is larger and better coloured, and the flavour is also 

 better. Matures in June, and is a desirable market peach, 

 fetching a good price. 



10. EARLY RIVERS. (M.=%aufta inglisa, hauha ta 

 lulju). The fruit is middling or large, round or nearly 

 round, with a small navel rather depressed. The peel 

 is very hairy, pale yellow well flushed with pink or pale 

 red towards the sun. The flesh is white, very juicy and 

 sugary, with a good flavour, and partly adheres to the 

 stone. The tree is fairly productive, and the fruit matures 

 in July. 



11. LA FRANCE. The fruit is large or very large, 

 ovoid, with a deep groove, and often irregular in shape. 

 The peel is only slightly hairy, greenish yellow or pale 

 yellow, flushed carmine or clear red. The flesh is white, 

 well detached from the stone, melting juicy, sweet, with 

 a strong fragrance and delicious flavour. Matures in 

 August. The tree is vigorous, with green twigs, and is 

 fairly productive. 



