'I'lIE PE.U'IL 335 



THE PEACH. 



The history, prDpagation, orchard culture, pniriinn;, hiving down 

 in cokler climates, and other facts in regard to this important com- 

 mercial and home fruit are given in Part I (see index). 



The varieties of the Peach ar(> very numerous and they all belong 

 to one species (1'niii.iix Pcrsica). Nearly all tlie varieties grown 

 in the MidiUc States and on tlu^ west coast are of the Persian tyi>e. 

 But in the extreme iSoutli it has been found that the Chinese varieties 

 succeed best, as they are less troubled with root-knot, and are not as 

 liable to start the fruit-buds and foliage to be caught by early spring 

 frosts. Another type of pjeach gro«'n iu the extreme South i ; the 

 native rae(\ usualh' referred to as the Indian peaches. These are 

 supposed to have been introduced by the early Spanish settlers. 

 The varieties of this race are liardy and not as liable to be injured 

 by frost in tin- blossoming pericjd. An attempt has been maile b_v 

 Prof. Price, of Texas, to divide the cultivated varieties of tin- ITiuted 

 States into five groups. But any attempt of this character is attended 

 with difficulties as \\ith the phuiis, and the adaptation of vai'ieties 

 to the various peach belts of the Cnion must be by actual test of 

 relative hardiness, fruitfulness, and <piality. 



LEADING VARIETIES OF THE PEACH. 



Admiral (Adnnral Dewey). — Large, roundish: color yellow, with 

 red and crimson cheek. Flesh yellow to tlie i)it, cpialify very good; 

 pit free. I!egarded superior to the Triumph as a shiijping variet\- in 

 JIarvland. Season of Triumi)h in (leorgia. 



Albright. — Jledium to large, roundish, somewhat ])ointed; color 

 creamv white, sometimes IJushed; cavity narrow ami dee}i; suture 

 slight, I'xtending beyond apex. Flesh creamy white, sometimes with 

 slight red at pit, tender, vinous, good; [jit free. Grown in the South- 

 east, })ut doe? well farther Xorth. North Carolina. 



Allen. — lledium to large, rovmdish ovate; color )-ellow, with 

 brownish-red cheek and cpiite heavy pubescence; ca^'ity deep and 

 narrow; suture slight and two-thirds aroimd. Flesh light yellow, 

 juicy, tender; pit free. Season, early Se|)tembej'. MissomL 



Alexander. — Mediimr in size; skin light-colored with shading and 



