42 



THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 



Pea continued. 



and destroyed, will materially help in reducing their 

 numbers. For means of preventing ravages of root- 

 feeding larvae, see Noctna and Wireworms. 



The mining larvae of the fly Phytomyza do so little 

 harm, that, as a rule, it is unnecessary to take means 

 against them ; the only method of cure seems to be 

 crushing the larvae, while in the leaves, between the 

 finger and thumb. For means to be employed against 

 the larvae of the larger moths, see Mamestra and 

 Potherb Moths. 



If Aphides appear on the young shoots, the best 

 treatment is to nip these off at once and burn them, 

 and thus prevent the Aphides from increasing and 

 spreading to the remaining parts of the plants. To free 

 a few plants from Green Fly, dressings of soot on the 

 wet plants, or of soap-suds, would be advantageous. 



Humble Bees are seldom so hurtful to Pea flowers as 

 to render their destruction needful, more especially since 

 they do good by effecting, or, at least, aiding in 

 securing the advantages of, cross-fertilisation. If it 

 should become desirable to reduce their numbers in any 

 garden, this can only be done by catching the individual 

 bees, and by seeking out and destroying their nests, 

 hidden in holes, under moss, &c. 



The Pea Midge (Cecidomyia Pisi) seldom does much 

 evident harm; the only methods of limiting its ravages 

 are : Picking the diseased, yellow-spotted pods, and 

 digging down the surface soil to destroy the pupaa. 



Against all the larvae that feed in the seeds, the 

 most useful remedy is to expose the latter for a time to 

 a heat of about 125deg. Fahr. This heat will destroy 

 the larvaa, but will not injure the seeds. 



Pea-straw should be removed and burned as early in 

 the autumn as possible. Since the beetles and moths 

 alike burrow into the ground to become pupae, what- 

 ever may help to destroy the pupae in the earth will be 

 of service. Trenching the soil is of special value, since 

 it throws many of the pupae too deep to allow the 

 insects to reach the surface, and other pupae are exposed 

 to the eyes of birds. Applications to the plants of soot, 

 or of any other disagreeable substances, might prevent 

 the female insects from laying their eggs thereon. 



PEA, SCURFY. See Psoralea. 



PEACH (Persica vulgaris). The Peach has been culti- 

 vated in this country since the middle of the sixteenth 

 century, about which time it is said to have been intro- 

 duced. Although generally stated to be a native of Persia, 

 De Candolle considers the Peach to be of Chinese origin, 

 this question being very fully treated in that author's 

 " Geographie Botanique " and " L'Origine des Plantes Cul- 

 tive'es." It was known to Theophrastus in 322 B.C. Its 

 cultivation is now more or less extensively practised over 

 a large portion of Europe and America. In this country, 

 the trees require protection of some sort, particularly 

 during the spring. This is provided by planting them 

 under glass, or against walls outside, with a southern 

 exposure, temporary coverings being used in the latter 

 case, throughout the flowering period, and until the fruits 

 are set. Trees planted in the open ground never become 

 sufficiently ripened to bear fruit : consequently, their 

 culture is seldom attempted, except in a young state, 

 without proper protection being provided. Peaches are 

 grown in abundance throughout the warmer parts of 

 Asia, and also in many provinces of the United States. 

 In France, their cultivation receives considerable atten- 

 tion, and the fruits obtained axe of excellent quality. 

 Peach culture in this country, particularly forcing under 

 glass, forms one of the most important of gardening 

 operations amongst fruit-trees ; and the success or failure 

 of this work are matters depending very considerably on 

 details of management, which require to be thoroughly 

 understood. The fruit of the Peach is, more or less, 



Peach continued. 



round, and is characterised by having a delicate, downy 

 skin, with a furrow or suture on one side, proceeding 

 from the stem to the apex, and varying in depth in diffe- 

 rent sorts. When properly ripened, it is highly valued, 

 and deservedly accorded a prominent position, both 

 amongst dessert and exhibition fruits. For propagation, 

 general cultivation, forcing, and other remarks respect- 

 ing Peach-trees and their management, see Nectarine. 



Sorts. Subjoined is a selection of the best and most 

 esteemed Peaches, all of which are worthy of cultiva- 

 tion, where there is sufficient accommodation, and a supply 

 is required over a lengthened period each year. It will 

 be observed that many of the varieties described were 

 raised at, or have emanated from, the Sawbridgeworth 

 Nursery. The new varieties raised at Sawbridgeworth 

 are chiefly the result of Mr. Rivers' experiments in hy- 

 bridising and raising such quantities of Peaches and 

 Nectarines from seed. The pollen of the Stanwick 

 Nectarine was used, and the stain of blood is very 

 evident in the Nectarines, which are entirely changed 

 in character. The experiments were commenced many 

 years ago, and several most valuable acquisitions to 

 varieties of hardy fruits have, as a consequence, been 

 secured. 



A Bee. Flowers large. Fruit large, of uneven outline, terminated 

 with a prominent nipple at the apex ; skin yellowish, dark 

 crimson next the sun ; flesh white, tender, and melting. End 

 of August. Glands round. A fine variety. 



Acton Scot. Flowers large. Fruit medium, nearly round ; skin 

 deep red next the sun ; flesh pale yellow, melting, and rich. 

 End of August. Leaves crenate ; glands round. A rather 

 small-fruited, but excellent, free-bearing sort. 



Albatross. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round ; skin pale 

 yellow, mottled and streaked with dark crimson ; flesh white, 

 rich, and good. Middle of September. Leaves glandless. A 

 fine late Peach, raised by Mr. Rivers. 



Alexander. Flowers large. Fruit large, round, of a brilliant 

 colour where exposed to the sun ; flesh yellowish- white, juicy, 

 and brisk in flavour. Early in July, in an orchard - house. 

 Glands round. An excellent and very early Peach, of American 

 origin, introduced by Mr. Rivers. 



Alexandra Noblesse. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round ; 

 skin downy, very pale ; flesh white, melting, richly flavoured. 

 Middle of August. Leaves smooth ; glands round. A very fine 

 Peach, raised by Mr. Rivers from NOBLESSE ; in consequence of 

 its smooth leaves, it is considered less liable than its parent to 

 be attacked by mildew. 



Harrington, Flowers bright red, large. Fruit large, somewhat 

 elongated, with a prominent nipple ; skin downy, deep red next 

 the sun ; flesh whitish-green, tinged with red near the stone, of 

 excellent flavour. Middle and end of September, succeeding 

 ROYAL GEORGE and NOBLESSE. Glands round. The tree is a 

 vigorous grower, and, generally, a good bearer. 



Belle Bauce. Flowers pink, large. Fruit large, somewhat 

 depressed or flattened at the summit ; skin downy, deep red 

 nearly all over ; flesh white, tinged red near the stone, juicy 

 and rich. Middle of September, or ten days later than GROSS E 

 MIGNONNE, of which it is considered but a variety or form. 

 Leaves crenated ; glands round. A handsome Peach. 



Belle de Done. Flowers small. Fruit large, deep red nearly 

 all over ; flesh melting, very richly flavoured. End of August 

 and beginning of September. Glands round. 



Bcllegarde. Flowers deep rose, small. Fruit large, somewhat 

 inconstant obovoid, or nearly spherical, with very small nipple 

 and distinct suture ; skin excessively downy, violet-red on the 

 shady side, blackish-purple where exposed ; flesh yellowish- 

 white, red.near the stone, melting and juicy, delicately perfumed. 

 End of August and beginning of September. Leaves large, finely 

 serrated with round glands. This excellent sort is accepted by 

 English pomologists as identical with the GALANDE of the 

 French. The BELLEGARDE of the French pomologists is a 

 different sort with large flowers, and of no special merit in this 

 country. SYNS. English Galande, French Galande, Galande, 

 Noir de Montreuil. 



Chancellor. Flowers small. Fruit large, roundish-oval ; skin 

 dark crimson, pale greenish-yellow on the shaded side ; flesh 

 pale yellow, deeply rayed with red at the stone, juicy and rich. 

 Middle of September. Glands reniform or kidney-shaped. 



Condor. Flowers large. Glands reniform. A comparatively new 

 very fine sort, raised by Mr. Rivers, and described as follows : 

 "A large Peach from EARLY SILVER; colour bright crimson, 

 flavour piquant and rich. August." 



Crimson Galande. Flowers small. Fruit medium or large, 

 roundish, deep crimson, almost black ; flesh deeply stained with 



