THE PEACH AND THE NECTARINE ] 331 



large, round or slightly oblong, often reaching 1 2 c.m. in 

 diameter, with a well marked and large navel, creamy 

 white, tinted pink on the sunny side. The rind is thin 

 and tough, peeling off easily at maturity. The flesh is 

 well detached from the stone, and is very thick, creamy, 

 melting, sweet with a delicate aroma and acidity, delight- 

 fully fragrant. It is evidently a seedling of Teton de 

 Venus, but is larger in size and more uniform in character. 

 Matures in August. 



21. THE RABATO PEACH. (^A.-=hauha ta Sta. 

 Agata}. A seedling originated recently in the neighbour- 

 hood of Saint Agata Catacombs, Rabato, and is being 

 propagated on account of the size, attractive appearance 

 and fine quality of its fruit. The tree is of middling 

 vigour, but grows to a good size, and is fairly productive. 

 The fruit is very large, round, with a well marked groove 

 and a prominent navel. The colour is greenish white or 

 creamy white, sometimes streaked crimson and flushed 

 pink on the sunny side. The rind is delicate and peels 

 off easily at maturity. The flesh is very thick, detached 

 from the stone, and is creamy and melting, with a very 

 good flavour. Matures in July and August. 



NECTARINES. 



22. THE MALTA WHITE NECTARINE. This is the 

 celebrated local white nectarine, generally considered the 

 best of our stone fruits. The tree is vigorous and very 

 productive, with thick twigs dull red on the upper side. 

 The fruit is middling or large, round or slightly oval, 

 very smooth, with a shallow groove and small indistinct 

 navel. The peel is white or waxy white at full maturity, 

 rarely coloured pale flesh or dotted red towards the sun. 

 The flesh is white completely detached from the stone, 

 is very melting, juicy and sweet, with a delicious fragrance 

 and a very agreable acidulous flavour. The stone is 

 small, plump, nearly round. Matures in July or early in 

 August. It is an ideal fruit for all purposes and keeps 

 fairly well. Comes fairly true from seed. 



