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HOW THE PEACH VARIETIES LOOKED Ii.' 1952 



Nev/ peach varieties are being introduced so rapidly that it is difficult to 

 get first hand information on more than a part of them. However, an attempt has 

 been made to select and test those which seemed to be best suited to Massachusetts 

 conditions. The following observations do not cover all the varieties and 

 selections tested. They cover only those which seem to have most interest to 

 growers. Varieties are listed approximately in order of ripening. 



Golden Early Bird . This variety was distributed first under the name 

 Christophers on. It is a very early variety ripening about a week before Marigold, 

 two or three days ahead of Erly-Red-Fre , Although the fruit is medium to small in 

 size, it is yellow fleshed, attractive and fine flavored if ripened on the tree. 

 Like most early peaches it is semi-clingstone. If picked too soon, the flesh 

 softens on the outside first and it clings very decidedly. The flesh is not too 

 firm and softens rather rapidly. In spite of its faults its earliness, yellov^r color, 

 attractiveness and good flavor should make it worthy of trial in a home garden or to 

 start off the season on a roadside stand. 



Erly-Red-Fre . This continues to look like an outstanding, early, white fleshed 

 peach. It ripens four or five days ahead of Marigold. The tree is large, upright 

 and a heavy producer. The fruit is medium to large, roiind, attractive and very 

 highly colored. The flesh is usually fine textured and smooth, firm, and moderately 

 juicy with a mild pleasant flavor. It is semi-cling to almost free, 



Jerseyland . This variety, which was originated in New Jersey, continues to 

 look extremely promising. It is an early peach ripening with Marigold or a day or 

 two later. The tree is vigorous and productive. The fruit is free-stone, large, 

 round, very well colored and attractive. The flesh is yellow, firm, juicy, and 

 notably good in flavor. Jerseyland is outstanding in flavor, firmness, attractive- 

 ness and high color but may soften more rapidly than is desirable, 



Prairie Daybreak . This is one of the Prairie series of varieties originated 

 and introduced by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, The trees are 

 moderately vigorous. Ihey bore a heavy crop in 193'1 at 3 years, but a light crop 

 in 19^2. The fruit matures early, 3 to I4 days after Marigold, with Jerseyland. It 

 is yellow fleshed, freestone, large and attractive. The flesh is firm, moderately 

 juicy, and tends to be a bit stringy. The quality is only fair. It softens and gets 

 mealy rather rapidly. It is not so good as Jerseyland. 



Prairie Dawn . This is another of the Illinois peaches which ripens a couple 

 of days after Prairie Daybreak and Jerseyland. The trees bore a heavy crop for 

 three-year-olds. The fruit is large, round, yellow fleshed, freestone, well 

 colored and attractive. The flesh is firm but not much better than fair in flavor. 

 It vrould look more promising if it would develop better flavor. 



Early East . This is another early yellovir fleshed peach from New Jersey. The 

 tree is quite vigorous and a heavy producer. The fruit, -which matures two days 

 after Marigold, is medium to large, round to oval, somewhat compressed, highly 

 colored but not too attractive. The flesh is firm, juicy, usually fine, but only 

 fair in quality. This variety is of doubtful value because of its shape, tendency 

 to cling considerably until fully ripe, and mediocre flavor. 



Prairie Sunrise . This is another early, yellow fleshed, freestone in the 

 Illinois series. It ripens just ahead of Red Haven. The tree is moderately 

 vigorous but very productive. The fruit is large, round, fairly vrell colored and 

 attractive. The flesh is firm, fine, juicy and well flavored. This peach looks 

 promising because of its firmness, size, attractiveness and quality. 



