THE CANADIAN HORTICULTUUIST. 16ii 



permitted to taste it, but noted that the sample was of good size, and 

 well colored. We were surprised to learn that so large and so early 

 ripening a variety should be found under such circumstances, and 

 ventured the caution that some unnatural cause had brouglit about a 

 premature ripening. Last year, (1877,) we went with. Mr. Moyer to 

 see the tree on the iirst of August, and found it loaded with fruit which 

 was just ripe, and found that in point of quality and general character, 

 it bore a strong resemblance to Hale's Early, but ripening some time 

 before that variety. 



Meanwhile it seems that tliis variety has been placed in the hands 

 of ]\Ir. Chas. Downing, Newburg, N. Y., and Mr. J. H. Watkins, of 

 Palmetto, Georgia, and from the August number of the Gardener's 

 Monthly we learn that Mr. Watkins lias fruited, on the same tree, 

 Alexander, Amsden, Honeywell, Early Canada, Brigg's May, Beatrice^ 

 Louise, and Elvers, and he says of tliem "that in appearance the four first 

 " named were strikingly similar, the Honeywell slightly smaller, but 

 '"equal to any in flavor, with the exception, possibly, of the Early 

 ■" Canada, which showed the highest color. If there was any difference 

 " at all in the earliness of the first four peaclies, the Early Canada 

 " certainly had it ; the Canada is almost a perfect free-stone, adheres 

 " very slightly, unlike the otliers in this respect, so far as I. had an 

 " opportunity to examine. The hardiness of trees, quality, and appear- 

 " ance of fruit, size, flavor, &c., -will determine which is most suitable 

 ^' for general cultivation, the Alexander, Amsden, Honeywell, or Early 

 "Canada, as the slight difference in time, when it exists, is of no 

 "practical value." 



]VIi\ Downing says, "My experience with Alexander, Amsden, 

 " Honeywell, and Early Canada, with two years fruiting, is about the. 

 " same as Dr. Watkins, and, as I have before stated, if the four kinds 

 " were put in a dish, it would puzzle a good pomulogist to separate 

 " them, and yet there is no doubt but that they are all distinet kinds." 



It may be then set down as an ascertained fact that the Early 

 Canada is as early, as large, and of as good^ quality as the Alexander, 

 Amsden or Honeywell, while to us it has the additional quality of being 

 a native of our climate, and therefore likely the better to bear its 

 peculiar vicissitudes. We trust our cultivators will take the peach in 

 liand, and give us a trace of Canadian seedlings, hardier, healtliier, and 

 Jbetter than imported sorts. 



