CHAPTER XXXI. 



THE NECTARINE. 



The nectarine is nothing more than an accidental seed- 

 ling of the peach, with a smooth skin, which is shown 

 by the fact that the same tree sometimes produces both 

 peaches and nectarines. The growth of the tree is the 

 same as that of the peach from which it is not easily dis- 

 tinguished. The fruit is not so large as the peach, free 

 from down, and in flavor resembles the peach leaf. The 

 nectarine is usually propagated by grafting or budding 

 on peach stocks, and the cultivation, pruning, etc., 

 are the same as required by that fruit. Failures to pro- 

 duce crops are more common with nectarines than with 

 peaches, owing principally to the destructive attacks of 

 the curculio or plum weevil. By following the directions 

 given for destroying the curculio, regular crops may be 

 obtained. It is well to plant the trees where hogs will 

 have access to them, as they destroy large numbers of the 

 worms by eating the fallen fruit. Protection against 

 borers is the same as for peach trees. Personfe desiring 

 an assortment of fruits should by all means leave room 

 for a few nectarine and apricot trees. 



LIST OF VARIETIES. 

 BOSTON. 



Large and handsome, roundish oval ; yellow with crim- 

 son cheek, mottled slightly with red ; flesh yellow, sweet, 

 not very rich, pleasant flavor; separates from the stone; 

 flowers small; tree hardy and productive. Medium sea- 

 son. 



