606 THE PEACH. 



they are generally purer and healthier in constitution than 

 of our own native kinds. 



In the description of peaches and nectarines the form and 

 outlines of many kinds are so nearly similar that we are 

 obliged to resort to other characteristics to distinguish the 

 varieties. The two most natural classes into which the kinds 

 of this fruit are divided, are freestones and clingstones, (melt- 

 crs and pavies, of the English ;) the flesh of the former part- 

 ing freely from the stone, that of the latter adhering. 



Next to this, the strongest natural distinction is found in the 

 leaves of the peach. At the base of the leaves of certain kinds 

 are always found small glands, either round and regular, or ob- 

 long and irregular, while the leaves of certain other kinds have 

 no glands, but are more deeply cut or serrated on the margin. 

 These peculiarities of the foliage are constant, and they aid us 

 greatly in recognising a variety by forming three distinct 

 classes, viz. : 1. Leaves serrated and without glands, Fig. 211, a. 

 2. Leaves with small round or globose glands, I. 3. Leaves 

 with large, irregular, reniform glands, c. 



This distinction of leaves is valuable, because it not only as- 

 sists us when we have the fruit before us, but it may be referred 

 to, for the sake of verifying an opinion, at any time during the 

 season of foliage. 



There is also another class of characteristics to be found in 

 the blossoms which is constant and valuable ; though not so 

 much so as that of the leaves, because it can only be referred to 

 for a few days in the spring. The blossoms afford two well 

 marked sub-divisions : 1st. Large flowers, always red in the 

 centre, and pale at the margin ; 2d. Small flowers, tinged with 

 dark at the margin.* 



The most desirable peaches for market growers in this coun- 

 try are very early and very late kinds. These command 

 double the price in market of kinds ripening at the middle sea- 

 son. For New England, and the north, only the earliest kinds 

 are desirable, as the late ones seldom mature well. 



We shall divide peaches into three classes. 1. Freestone 

 Peaches with pale flesh. 2. Freestone Peaches with deep yellow 

 flesh. 3. Clingstone Peaches. 



* Lindley makes a third division, embracing a few sorts with blossoms 

 of an intermediate size. But it is of no practical value, as any doubt as 

 to which of the two divisions any blossom belongs is immediately set at 

 rest by the colour of the blossom. 



