ON PEACHES AND NECTARINES 



But whatever the explanation, the fact remains 

 that the Chinese peach is not to be looked to as 

 introducing the elements of hardiness and virility. 



Nevertheless in the southern states the Chinese 

 peach, which seems to be of tropical origin, thrives 

 and is even quite as popular as th6 Persian strains. 



Fortunately some of the varieties of the Eu- 

 ropean stock are vigorous and hardy growers. 

 But the development of new varieties that will be 

 absolutely resistant to the diseases to which the 

 peach is peculiarly subject is a task that invites 

 the plant experimenter. I have already referred 

 to the success in this regard that attended some 

 of my hybridizing experiments. 



My new peaches, named respectively the Leader 

 and the National, both of them crosses of the Muir 

 and Crawford stock, have been entirely free from 

 any suspicion of mildew or curl-leaf. 



But there is demand for a great variety of 

 peaches, and it is highly desirable that the aver- 

 age stock of this important fruit should be greatly 

 improved in regard to virility. 



That the peach may under favorable conditions 

 live to an old age and continue in bearing is dem- 

 onstrated by exceptional trees that are known to 

 be half a century old, yet still retain their vigor 

 and productiveness. When we contrast with this 

 the familiar fact that the average peach orchard 



[167] 



