The Peach and Nectarine. 



3*3 



collections. Hence, the main object of the following descriptive list 

 is to define the characters of described or well known sorts, and 

 point out those most worthy of cultivation in our climate. 



SYNOPSIS OF ARRANGEMENT. 



The fruit of different varieties of the peach is marked with but 

 few distinctive characters. A similarity in outline, texture, color, 

 and flavor, more nearly than exists in the apple, pear, and some 

 other kinds, renders it necessary to resort to other points of dis- 

 tinction. The peach presents facilities for this purpose not found 

 in other fruits. 



1. The Divisions are founded on the adherence or separation of 

 the flesh from the stone, distinguishing clingstones and freestones ; 

 or more properly, on the firm or melting texture of the flesh, indi- 

 cated by the terms pavies and melters. 



2. The Divisions are sub-divided into Classes, embracing pale or 

 light-colored flesh, and deep-yellow flesh. 



3. The Seftions are founded on i\ie glands of the leaves. Section 

 I. comprehends those whose leaves are deeply and sharply serrate 

 (or cut like saw-teeth), and having no glands (or gum-like minute 

 knobs) at the base (Fig. 355). Section II. contains those whose 

 leaves are crenate or serrulate (with shallower and more rounded 

 teeth), and having globose 



glands (Fig. 356). Section 

 III. includes all those 

 whose leaves are crenate 

 or serrulate, having reni- 

 form or kidney-shaped 

 glands (Fig. 357). "The 

 form of the glands," ob- 

 serves Lindley, "as well 

 as their position, is perfect- 

 ly distinct ; they are fully 

 developed in the month of 

 May, and they continue to 

 the last permanent in their character, and are not affected by culti- 

 vation. The globose glands are situated, one, two, or more, on the 

 foot-stalks, and one, two, or more, on the tips or points of the serra- 



14 



Fig- 355- 



Fig. 356. Fig. 357. 



