VARIOUS SPECIES OF FRUITS 157 



NECTARINE 



The Nectarine is really a smooth-skinned Peach, though formerly 

 botanists considered it a distinct species. Peach pits often produce 

 trees which bear "Nectarines," and "Nectarine" pits return the com- 

 pliment. Still more interesting is the fact that bud varieties are 

 common on both trees; that is, a twig on a Peach tree may bear 

 Nectarines, and one on a Nectarine tree Peaches. By graftage methods 

 these twigs may be used for scions or buds to graft or "bud" on other 

 trees and thus perpetuate the "bud sport." 



Cultivation of Nectarines differs in no way from that of the 

 Peach. The only notable point is that extra care must be taken to 

 fight curculio, which seems to be specially partial to the fruit. (See 

 Apricot for spraying method.) 



Recause little attention has been paid to it the Nectarine has 

 developed few varieties. These are generally inferior to Peaches. 

 Even in California, where it is grown commercially, it is used almost 

 wholly for drying and canning, for which purpose it is of very secondary 

 importance. If there is space for a few trees in the family orchard 

 choice should be made among the following varieties; 

 DOWNTON. Early. Medium to large, pale green with violet red cheek, 



flesh greenish, reddish at the free pit, rich, melting and excellent. 

 HARDWICKE. Late Summer. Large, pale green, with violet ch3fck; 

 flesh greenish-white, reddish at the free pit, juicy, melting, ricFt high 

 flavored. 



BOSTON. Large, beautiful yellow with red cheek; flesh yellow to the 

 small pointed freestone; sweet but not rich, and, being a native of the 

 Hub, pleasant but peculiar. 



EARLY NEWINGTON (Lucombe's Seedling or Early Black). Large, bright 

 red with darker markings upon a pale green ground color. Flesh 

 greenish white but deep red at the pit (cling), juicy, sugary, rich, excel- 

 lent. 



These are among the leaders in Europe and America, Besides 

 them Thomas recommends ELRUGE, EARLY VIOLET and NEW WHITE. 



PAPAW 



A small native American tree whose attractive flowers greenish 

 at first but changing to purplish red appear before the handsome 

 foliage and whose large, oblong, dark brown, highly aromatic, creamy 

 fleshed, soft, slightly gritty, very sweet fruits are relished when they 

 ripen in the Fall. The tree is of doubtful hardiness north of New 

 York City, though specimens are known to have thriven in Massa- 

 chusetts. Two or three varieties have been offered by nurserymen. 



If desired for fruit it is important to have both male and female 

 trees as the species is dioecious and will not bear fruit unless the 



