390 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



each way, which gives one hundred and eight trees to 

 the acre. They may, if shortened in yearly, be set fifteen 

 feet apart, which will give one hundred and ninety-three 

 trees to an acre ; in gardens fifteen feet is generally the 

 best distance. 



Peaches are so much alike in general character — the 

 difference in outline, color, flavor, and texture being less 

 than with other plants, — that it is necessary in order to 

 determine the name of a variety to resort to other 

 methods of distinction. 



The two most obvious distinctions or divisions are into 

 freestones and clingstones ; or, as we call them, soft, and 



plum peaches; the 

 flesh of the former 

 parting freely from 

 the stone, and being 

 of a melting con- 

 sistency ; and that 

 of the latter named 

 sorts adhering to 

 the stone, and being 

 of a firmer texture. 

 Fig. 98. The English give 



to these divisions the names of l< melters " and " pavies." 



Both these grand divisions are subdivided into classes 

 according to the color of the flesh, viz. : those with light 

 colored, and those with deep yellow flesh. These classes 

 are again divided into three sections. At the base of the 

 leaf of some varieties will be found small glands, which 

 are either round and regular, or oblong and irregular, or 

 kidney shaped ; while others have no glands, but are 

 more deeply cut or serrated like the teeth of a saw. 



Hence the three sections, viz. : 1. Leaves serrated, 

 without glands, a, fig. 98 ; 2. Leaves with small, round, 

 or globose glands, b, fig. 98 ; 3. Leaves with large, ir- 

 regular, reniform or kidney-shaped glands, c, fig. 98. 



