THE PEACHES OF NEW YORK 73 



in determining varieties. The former varies somewhat in accordance 

 with the conditions named in the foregoing paragraph but the shape of 

 the leaf changes but little. Fortunately for the student of varieties, leaves 

 differ most in relative length and breadth so that the shape may be 

 accvirately indicated by figures which are used in most of the descriptions 

 in The Peaches of New York. Comparisons of the bases and the apices 

 of leaves of different varieties often show distinguishing marks. 



The color of leaves in varieties is verj^ constant for both surfaces. 

 The color of the foliage gives an aspect to peaches whereby a variety may 

 often be distinguished in its summer dress at considerable distance. Unfor- 

 tunately, the colors of leaves in the color-plates in this book cannot be 

 relied upon to give much help in studying this character. Autumnal 

 tints are luiiformly the same in peaches and not to be relied upon in classi- 

 fying varieties. 



Several other characters of the leaves must be studied by the syste- 

 matic pomologist. The leaves of some varieties are thinner than those of 

 others, hence thickness becomes a distinguishing character. Venation 

 of leaves — size and arrangement of veins — is important. Pubescence 

 of leaves cuts quite a figure in the descriptions of many fruits but in the 

 peach is of minor importance because the leaves are not very hairy and the 

 quantity and character of the pubescence is exceedingly variable. Some 

 varieties have relatively few leaves — others many. The leaves of some 

 varieties fall early — others relatively late. 



The margins of peach-leaves offer valuable evidence in determining 

 varieties. They may be serrate or crenate, doubly or singly divided, 

 glandular or glandless. Both serrations and glands are best studied in the 

 middle of the sides of leaves, those at the base or apex often being crowded 

 or wanting. 



Petioles differ in length, thickness, rigidity, pubescence and color, 

 so that this organ is often a substantial help in identifying varieties. Some 

 say the color of the petiole is correlated with that of the fruit, as it certainly 

 is in such extreme sorts as Snowball and Indian Cling, but it is doubtful 

 whether this correlation goes further than groups and even here does not 

 always hold Stipules offer no distinguishing marks of importance. 



Much use is made in classifying peaches of the presence or absence, 

 the size, color, shape, position and number of glands on the base of the leaf 

 or on the leaf-stalk. These glands may be either stalked or sessile. The 

 terms used in describing glands are easily understood and need no definition 



