470 



THE PEACH. 



Fig. 211. Characters in tJte leaves of peaches. 



classes, viz. 1. Leaves serrated and without glands, Fig. 

 211, a. 2. Leaves with small round, or globose glands; b. 

 3. Leaves with large irregular, reniform glands ; c. 



This distinction of leaves is valuable, because it not only as- 

 sists us when we have the fruit before us, but it rnay be referred 

 to, for the sake of verifying an opinion, at any time during the 

 season of foliage. 



There is also another class of characteristics to be found in 

 the blossoms which is constant and valuable ; though not so 

 much so as that of the leaves, because it can only be referred 

 to for a few days in the spring. The blossoms afford two well 

 marked sub-divisions ; 1st, Large flowers, always red in the 

 centre, and pale at the margin ; 2d, small flowers, tinged with 

 dark at the margin.* 



The most desirable peaches for market growers in this 

 country are very early, and very late kinds. Those command 

 double the price in market of kinds ripening at the middle sea- 

 son. For New-England, and the north, only the earliest kinds 

 are desirable, as the late ones seldom mature well. 



We shall divide peaches into three classes. 1. Freestone 

 Peaches with pale flesh. 2. Freestone peaches with deep yellow 

 flesh. 3. Clingstone Peaches. 



* Lindley makes a third division, embracing a few sorts with blossoms of an 

 intermediate size. But it is of no practical value, as any doubt as to which 

 of the two divisions any blossom belongs, is immediately set at rest by the colour 

 of the blossom. 



