George the IVth Peach. 121 



to present such facts and proofs as would satisfy others. In 

 this research, I have received the most important aid from a 

 gentleman of great intelligence, but who is, at the same time, 

 one of the least assuming votaries of Pomona, John W. Kne- 

 vels, Esq., of Fishkill. I received intimation long since that 

 the tree in the garden of the late Robert Gill, Esq., in Broad 

 Street, New York, whence the scions of the so-called George 

 the IVth were obtained, was an itioculated tree ; but it is only 

 within about three years, that I have ascertained satisfactorily 

 that the tree was obtained from my father, under another 

 title. I am now enabled to state these facts positively, and 

 to refer to unquestionable authority for proof on these two 

 important points. Dr. James S. Rumsey, a great connoisseur 

 of fruits, who resides at Fishkill Landing, is a step-son of the 

 late Robert Gill, Esq., already referred to, and who, at the 

 latter part of his life, removed from Broad Street, New York, 

 to Fishkill Landing. The lady of the late Mr. Gill, who is 

 the mother of Dr. Rumsey, now resides with him, and is in 

 perfect possession of all her faculties. Mr. Knevels, in his 

 letter to me, states thus : " From them I have often heard it 

 asserted that the peach named and noticed by Mr Floy, as 

 the George the lYth, was obtained, as is in fact well known." 

 (This Mr. Floy himself states.) " The tree grew in their 

 court yard, in Broad Street, and was one of several trees 

 received by Mr. Robert Gill, at one time, under an order sent 

 to your nursery, for so many trees of the Red Rareripe ; of 

 this there can be no question." — In reply to an application 

 made by me (Mr. Knevels) at your instance to Dr. Rumsey, 

 he says : " The fact of the original George the IVth peach tree 

 having been procured from Mr. Prince, as the Red Rare- 

 ripe, I have often mentioned to you and others interested in 

 such matters." 



Such is the information obtained from other sources ; I will 

 now speak for myself In the spring of 1843, 1 planted a tree 

 of our ordinary Red Rareripe, (which is called " Morris Red 

 Rareripe," by Mr. Downing,) and a tree of the George IVth 

 side by side, and they have both borne fruit for three sea- 

 sons ; and, on a critical comparison of growth, foliage, glands, 

 flowers, and fruit, I cannot perceive the least particle of dis- 

 tinction. / therefore pronounce them to be ide?itically the same, 



VOL. xni. — NO. III. 13 



