240 Varieties of the Peach. 
The following are the peaches chicfy grown in California, 
arranged approximately in the order of ripening :— 
Briggs’ Red May (California).—Originated as a chance seedling in 
nursery row, on the farm of John G. Briggs, on the Feather River, about 
one mile from Yuby City, about 1870. It was found to be about ten days 
earlier than the Early Tillotson, which was then the stand-by for an early 
peach. Fruit medium to large, round; white skin with rich, red cheek; 
flesh greenish white, melting, juicy, rich, firm enough for shipment; stone 
partially free, a standard early variety; subject to mildew. 
Alexander (\\linois)—Most widely grown as best early variety. Fruit 
medium to large; greenish white, nearly covered with deep red; flesh firm, 
juicy, and sweet; bears transportation well; pit partly free. 
Amsden (Missouri).—Resembles preceding, but averages smaller; 
claimed by some to be slightly earlier; rather less liable to curl-leaf. 
Early Imperial (California).— Originated by W. W. Smith, Vacaville, 
and planted to secure a yellow freestone earlier or larger than St. John. 
Most growers find it no improvement on St. John. 
Yellow St. John (New Orleans).—Earliest yellow peach; averages 
smaller than Yellow Crawford, but classed as large; roundish, orange yel- 
low with deep red cheek; juicy, sweet, and high flavored; freestone. 
Hale's Early (Ohio).—Medium to large, nearly round; skin greenish, 
mostly covered and mottled with red when ripe; flesh white, melting, juicy, 
rich and sweet; fair for local market and shipping; widely grown; freestone. 
Strawberry (New Jersey).—Medium size, oval; stem cavity deeply 
sunk; suture extending half way round; skin almost wholly marbled with 
deep red; flesh whitish, juicy, rich and delicate; tree healthy. 
Foster (Massachusetts).—Uniformly large, slightly flattened; slight 
suture; stem moderately depressed; flesh yellow, very rich and juicy; color 
deep orange, dark red in the sun; freestone; tree hardy and productive; 
very widely grown in California and popular. Ripens before Early Craw- 
ford, which it sometimes resembles, but is of better quality. 
Crawford's Early (New Jersey).— Very large, oblong, swollen, point 
at the top prominent, suture shallow; skin yellow, with red cheek; flesh yel- 
low, rich, and excellent; freestone; tree very healthy and productive; 
probably the most largely planted variety in California. 
George the Fourth (New York).—Large, round, deeply divided by 
broad suture; sides unequal; skin pale yellowish white, dotted with red and 
red cheek; flesh pale, red at pit, from which it parts freely; quality good. 
Somewhat troubled with curl-leaf. 
Snow (American).—Large, globular; skin clear, beautiful, almost 
wholly white; flesh white to the free stone, juicy, rich and sprightly. 
Mary's Choice (New Jersey).—Large, yellow, resembling Early Craw- 
ford, but ripening later. 
Red Cheek Melocoton (American).—Large, roundish oval, swollen 
point at top; yellow, with deep red cheek; flesh yellow, red at stone, which 
is free; juicy, good flavor. Approved in Humboldt and San Benito 
Counties. 
Tuskena (Alabama or Mississippi).—Wrongly called ‘‘ Tuscan” and 
“Tustin ’’ Cling in this State; largely planted in interior valleys and foot- 
hills; very large yellow cling; the earliest fine cling variety; very valuable 
for early shipping. Ripens with Crawford’s Early. 
Oldmixon Free (American).—Large, roundish or slightly oval; greenish 
or yellowish white, marbled with red; flesh white, tender, and excellent, 
juicy and rich; high flavor. 
Honest Abe (California ).—‘ Originated at Healdsburg, Sonoma 
County. Large, yellow, with red cheek; best quality; ripens between Craw- 
ford’s Early and Late. Does not curl.’’—James Shinn, 
