PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 



315 



creased if the fruit is allowed to shrivel slightly at the " caudal 

 extremity." In this particular they differ widely in flavour from 

 the orange-fleshed peaches, which, in my opinion, are generally 

 inferior in flavour. 



The season of nectarines now lasts from the beginning of 

 August to the end of September, the Victoria being the latest 

 good nectarine ; the Peterborough, although later, being very 

 deficient in flavour. 



Duhamel describes and figures a peach almond, but he omits 

 to give a figure of the shell of the kernel, which, he states, is not 

 corrugated like the shell of the kernel of the peach. He also 

 remarks that the same tree bears two kinds of fruit, one a true 

 almond, and one with flesh like a peach, which is bitter and 

 uneatable, the kernels of both being almonds. The fruit is 

 said to be a hybrid between the almond and peach. I mention 

 this because I have never been able to obtain a cross between the 

 peach and the almond, although I have made repeated attempts 

 under favourable conditions. It has been said, on apparently 

 good evidence, that peaches and nectarines are produced on the 

 same branch. There is no reason for doubting this statement, 

 nor do I think the fact, if it does occur, would be very extra- 

 ordinary, considering how nearly related the peach and nectarine 

 are ; yet it has never come under my own observation, although 

 my experience of peaches during the last thirty years has been 

 very considerable, and through this long series of years my trees 

 have borne continuous crops of fruit, and I have had hundreds of 

 varieties to observe and test. 



The flowers of peaches and nectarines are divided into two 

 distinct classes, some having large and brilliant petals, and 

 others small and insignificant in size. The Grosse Mignonne 

 peach and the Pitmaston Orange nectarine are remarkable for 

 their large and showy flowers, and these are characteristic 

 generally of the descendants from these types, but it is by no 

 means invariable, many of the seedlings raised from the Grosse 

 Mignonne possessing small flowers, the fruit being identical with 

 the parent. 



The choice of sorts of peaches and nectarines for an orchard 

 house differs very considerably from the choice of sorts for wall 

 culture. An orchard house should afford a continuous supply 

 from July to October. The following varieties of peaches will 

 give a very satisfactory supply : — 



