Chap. XIX. 



DOUBLE-STEIPED PEACH. 



319 



were other palms, but this was the only one that 

 seemed hardy. 



Here were also some beautiful peach-trees with 

 double flowers. Two of these have been already 

 described by Dr. Lindley in the 6 Journal of the 

 Horticultural Society / and named the " double white " 

 and " double crimson" peaches. But, fine as these 

 undoubtedly are, there is a third far more beautiful 

 and striking than either of them. This produces 

 large double white flowers, which are striped with red 

 or crimson lines like a carnation. A tree of this 

 variety in full bloom is one of the most beautiful 

 objects that can be imagined. Sometimes the branches 

 " sport," and produce self-coloured flowers — the co- 

 lours being, in this case, either white or crimson. 

 This fine tree is now safely in England, and in a few 

 years it may be expected to produce a marked effect 

 in our gardens early in spring. 



These double peach-trees seem to be particularly 

 well adapted for forcing, as they form their flower- 

 buds fully in autumn, and are ready to burst into 

 bloom with the first warm days in spring. A little 

 artificial heat, therefore, will bring them into full 

 flower about the new year, or any time from that 

 period up to March. 



As spring flowers they are highly prized by the 

 Chinese. Itinerant gardeners carry them about the 

 streets for sale in the northern Chinese towns. The 

 flower-buds are then just beginning to expand; the 

 buyer puts them into pots, gives them a little water, 

 and places them in his window or sitting-room. In a 



