PEACHES. 195 



When fully matured, it is excellent and extremely beautiful ; 

 but to be eaten in perfection, it should have been gathered a 

 few days. It is said to force well, which is an important qua- 

 lity ; for from want of solar heat in this climate, all the cling- 

 stone peaches acquire their flavour most perfectly in a forcing- 

 house. It is an abundant bearer, and according to Forsyth, 

 well adapted for tarts. 



" It is remarkable, that although it appears from an old cata- 

 logue of the Chartreux garden, that the Catharine was long 

 since sent to France, under the name of La Belle Catharine, 

 no trace of it is to be found in the great French works on 

 pomology. 



^' In the catalogue of fruits cultivated in the garden of the 

 London Horticultural Societ}', the Green Catharine peach of 

 the Americans is said to be the same as this ; but this a mis- 

 take, that variety having globose, not reniform glands, ^and 

 being also a freestone, &;c. Auth.) 



" The Incomparable peach is very nearly the same as the 

 Catharine, but is distinguished by its higher colour, both in- 

 side and outside, and by its flavour being infei'ior. On ac- 

 count of its superior beauty, it is the most cultivated of the 

 two. 



" Leaves crenate, with reniform glands, very deep green, 

 somewhat puckered or crumpled on each side of the midrib ; 

 flowers small, reddish ; fruit large, round, either depressed or 

 pointed at the apex, in which respect it is very variable — to- 

 wards the base the surface is uneven ; colour a beautiful red 

 next the sun, marbled and dashed with darker shades, pale 

 yellow next the wall, where it is sprinkled with many red dots ; 

 flesh very firm, of a deep crimson next the stone to which it 

 strongly adheres — towards the outside very white, becoming 

 after having been gathered a few days tinged with yellow, and 

 having then an abundance of juice, and a very rich and sweet 

 flavour ; stone middle-sized, roundish-oval, very slightly 

 pointed." 



