OTHER ORCHARD TREES. 109 



The nectarine is quite similar with fruit of a smooth skin. 

 Observe the blossom as to shape and color. In some vari- 

 eties the stone clings to the pulp ; in others it separates readily 

 hence the terms " cling-stone " and 

 "free-stone." The peach ripens only 

 in a mild climate and requires a warm 

 soil, that is, a light soil that readily 

 drains and absorbs heat. As the peach 

 trees mature or come into blossom 

 earlier than apples, they are sometimes 

 set out in young apple orchards. A 



f p , i i i j Fig. 55. Stone fruit, a peach. 



few crops of peaches can thus be picked 



before the apples come into bearing. When the apple trees 

 become nearly full grown and begin to bear fair crops the 

 peach trees are removed. The peach trees are increased by 

 budding on stocks of seedling peaches or on plums. Why 

 would you expect peach buds -to take on plums and not on 

 pears or apples ? What is the edible part of the peach ? The 

 true fruit or seed is inside of the stone. Crack one open and 

 compare with an almond nut. You may taste it, but do not 

 eat it. If you take a thick leaf you can peel off the skin on 

 the upper side and also the skin on the under side. Between 

 these two is the soft cell matter. The calyx leaves fold over 

 the inner part of the blossom, enclosing the seed, the inner side 

 of the leaves hardening to form the stone, and the outer part 

 forming the skin ; the soft material between forms the part of 

 the peach that we eat. 



THE CHERRY. This tree is sometimes grown as an orna- 

 mental tree ; sometimes for its wood, which has a beautiful 

 grain and takes a fine polish ; but generally for its fruit. There 

 are very many varieties of cherries growing wild in America 

 known by various names dwarf cherry, bird chciry, choke 

 cherry, wild red cherry, etc. Most of our garden varieties are 

 derived from two European varieties. 



