40 SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF SAN ANTONIO 



Burbank is a spreading tree of awkward habit that be- 

 gins to bear when very young. It often overbears, which 

 results in the shortening of its life and the production of 

 inferior fruit. The fruit, which ripens in June and July, 

 is medium-sized to large, firm, and of good quality. 



Gonzales begins to bear one year after planting. It 

 bears regularly and, like Burbank, tends to overbear. Its 

 fruit, which begins to ripen about June 1st, is medium- 

 sized, red, of attractive appearance, and according to some, 

 sweet and juicy. The fruit produced by the writer's trees, 

 however, was always rather insipid. 



Wickson is a slender tree that begins to ripen its fruit 

 about July 1st. The fruit is very large and has a small 

 stone. The flesh is yellow, firm, and sweet. This fruit is 

 devoid of acid, but very palatable when eaten raw and ex- 

 cellent for canning. 



Of the many varieties of peaches tested, but two, Pal- 

 las and Japan Dwarf Blood, have been productive enough 

 to be considered successful. Unfortunately but one tree 

 of the Pallas variety was planted. This has borne a full 

 crop, beginning one year after planting, for every year 

 except the two in which the destructive hail-storms occurred 

 and one in which a heavy frost visited the orchard on 

 March 20th. Thinning was several times necessary to pre- 

 vent overbearing. The fruit of this variety, which begins 

 to ripen about July 1st, is a freestone, small to medium- 

 sized, white-fleshed, sweet, and juicy. By some it is much 

 prized; others regard it as inferior because of the absence 

 of acid. The tree is now in a decrepit condition and 

 probably past its period of usefulness, but it has done its 

 full duty. Pallas and other varieties of the Honey strain 

 are apparently the best peaches for commercial planting 

 in this section. 



Japan Dwarf Blood is a stocky, dwarfish tree with a 

 spreading crown. These characteristics tend to prevent 

 sun-scald and the splitting and breaking of branches, and 

 also facilitate the gathering of the crop. The fruit, which 



