PEACHES. 445 



Early Newington Freestone. See American Neuington. 



EARLY PURPLE (Pourpree Hdtive ; Pourpree Hdtice a Grande* 

 Fleurs). Fruit, medium sized, roundish, depressed at the apex, divided 

 on one side by a suture extending from the base and across the apex. 

 Skin, covered with a thick down, pale sulphur yellow, thinly dotted 

 with red on the shaded side, and deep purplish red next the sun. 

 Flesh, white, separating with difficulty from the stone, red under the 

 skin on the side which is exposed to the sun, and very deep red at the 

 stone ; of a rich vinous and sugary flavour. Flowers, large. Leaves, 

 with kidney-shaped glands. 



Ripe in the middle and end of August. 



Early Purple Avant. See Grow Mi<pi>njic. 



EARLY RIVERS. Frait, of large size, two inches and a half 

 wide and the same in height ; roundish, marked with a distinct 

 suture. Skin, pale lemon yellow, with the slightest blush on one 

 side, and a few pale flesh-coloured dots on the part exposed to the 

 sun. Flesh, pale even to the stone, and gelatinous, translucent, with 

 white veins and mottles interspersed through it ; very tender and very 

 juicy, exceedingly rich and sugary, and with a fine brisk nectarine 

 flavour ; separating freely from the stone. Flowers, large, very spread- 

 ing. Leaves, with the glands kidney-shaped. 



This is the finest early peach known, and ripens about the 14th of 

 July in an orchard-house. In size and colour it is not unlike Noblesse. 

 In France it succeeds so well that Mr. F. Jamin says it is the finest 

 early peach in France. Its only fault is that it splits at the stone, and 

 the kernel is imperfect. This probably arises from imperfect fertilisa- 

 tion, from the pistil protruding so far beyond the stamens. It is well 

 adapted for forcing. At Teddiogton Mr. R. D. Blackmore finds it 

 " a large and good peach, but very pale, and splits even in dry seasons. 

 On this account it is worthless here." 



This peach was sent to me by Mr. Rivers on the 20th of July, 1867, when it was 

 first produced, and I was so struck with its superiority over all other early peaches 

 and its perfectly distinct character, that I considered it a fitting opportunity to 

 record the name of the raiser by associating it with a fruit which cannot fail to 

 become a universal favourite. It was raised from seed of Early Silver. 



EARLY SAVOY (Precoce de Savoie). This is more ovate in shape 

 than Grosse Mignonne, and paler colour on the side next the sun. 

 Flowers, large. Leaves, without glands. 



It is an excellent variety, and ripens in the end of August. 



EARLY SILVER. Fruit, very large, ovate, or roundish ovate, and 

 sometimes terminated by a nipple at the apex. Skin, of a delicate 

 cream-colour, with a slight blush next the sun, which renders it very 

 beautiful. When grown against a wall in the open air, it has a dark 

 crimson cheek. Flesh, separating from the stone, white throughout and 

 without any stain of red next the stone, melting, and very juicy, with a 



