ORCHARD-HOUSES. 37 



fruit of many kinds resemble each other so much 

 in appearance, that they are difficult to distinguish 

 when removed from the tree. 



From the uncertainty of our climate, good fruit 

 is rarely seen on open walls, perhaps not oftener 

 than once in three years. So many trees in 

 gentlemen's gardens are incorrectly named, that 

 it is no matter oi surprise few can distinguish a 

 Peach with certainty. I was lately shown a num- 

 ber of Peach trees full of fruit by a nobleman's 

 gardener, all named Royal George, and asked to 

 account for their differing in quality so markedly, 

 as they were all growing on the same wall. He 

 would hardly believe me at first, when I told him 

 there were in reality three kinds. By observing 

 the leaves, blossom, and fruit, almost any variety 

 may be named without difficulty. 



Peaches and Nectarines are divided into two 

 classes by their blooms, and into three by their 

 leaves. The fruit may also be described as sepa- 

 rating easily from the stone, or firmly adhering 

 to it ; the former are termed melting, the latter 

 clingstone. The blossoms are large and hand- 

 some, or small and inconspicuous. The leaves are 

 serrated on the edge, without glands (seej^. 1); 



