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LTV. Observations on the Peaches described in the preceding 

 Letter. By Joseph Sabine, Esq. F. R. S. fyc. Vice President. 



Read April 2, 1816. 



Th e specimens of Peaches entrusted to my care by our 

 President, arrived at a time when it was not in my power, at 

 the instant, to call a meeting of our members ; and as the state 

 of the fruit admitted of no delay, I was under the necessity 

 of examining them, with the assistance of Mr. Hooker, alone. 



Due consideration must be given to the circumstances 

 under which these Peaches were tasted. Such delicate fruit 

 suffers much in carriage ; and being also the produce of 

 very young trees, their flavour, of course, was inferior to what 

 they will attain in a few more seasons. Notwithstanding 

 these disadvantages, however, I do not hesitate to announce 

 them as most valuable, and important additions to our gar- 

 dens, and possessing advantages which we have hitherto not 

 obtained, in this species of fruit. 



The early maturity of No. 1,* even in the unfavourable 

 climate where it has been ripened, is a powerful ground of 

 recommendation for its cultivation. It is nearly the size of 

 the Acton Scott Peach ; is a handsome fruit, the yellow and 

 red colours being very bright ; the flesh is juicy, melting, and 

 parts from the stone; it is rich in flavour, with a strong 

 nutty taste, but not equal to that of the Acton Scott Peach, 

 the specimen of which, being gathered from an older tree, 

 was preferable, 



* Since called the Early Downton Peach. 

 VOL. II. G g 



