IGO 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Fe^)ruary 2S 1891. 
hawkers’ barrows, and in some quarters of Paris it was strange to 
see large Oranges stripped of their peel exposed for sale. It is said 
that the peel is utilised in the preparation of a liquor, and the 
Oranges are then sold at about the same price, thus realising two 
profits. One curiosity in the fruiterers’ and other shops were the 
Nids des Hirondelles de la Chine ” (Chinese swallows’ nests), which 
are sold for eating, but I did not have an opportunity of testing 
their qualities. 
February is not precisely the best time for a visit to France, 
but the preceding notes will indicate that some interest can be 
found in the gay city even during such a dull month and after 
such a winter. But they only afford a general survey, for in the 
few days at my disposal I succeeded, by the strictest economy of 
time and the kind assistance of good friends, in inspecting the 
astonishing Peach gardens at Montreuil, the extensive bedding 
plant producing establishment at La Muette, the Orchids and 
Palms in the Jardin d’Acclimatisation at Neuilly, MM. Vilmorin, 
Andrieux & Cie.’s great emporium of seeds at Reuilly, with 
several other horticultural attractions in the Paris district. Then, 
too, I had a most enjoyable trip through the Apple orchards of 
Normandy, but as it would be obviously impossible to relate in 
this article all that was seen in this journey some notes will be 
reserved for subsequent letters. It may be remarked that the 
absence of rain in France, as here, has brought the soil into good 
condition for the plough and spade, and full advantage has been 
taken of that, for the land is being rapidly prepared for the spring 
and summer crops. Unfortunately I hear on good authority that 
much autumn-sown Wheat has been killed by the frost, and spring 
sowing is required in many districts. During my brief sojourn, 
too, there was ample evidence that our neighbours are not entirely 
exempt from the fogs which trouble us so much ; they are, how¬ 
ever, less dense and of shorter duration, so that little damage is 
done to plants or flowers. When a fine day comes, such as 
favoured my visit to Montreuil, we realise the difference between 
a continental and an insular atmosphere. Such a deep blue sky 
and peculiar clearness of the air are unknown here even in 
summer.— Lewis Castle. 
PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 
Good varieties of both Peaches and Nectarines are very 
plentiful, so much so that it is difficult to select any one sort as 
the best. With some the very name Royal George is sufficient to 
distinguish any dish bearing that name in the show as the best. 
Allowing them to be true, for it is no uncommon thing to see 
several sorts bearing that name in an exhibition, unless they were 
above the ordinary standard I prefer Grosse Mignonne for quality, 
but for general usefulness, appearance, and quality combined I 
would select Bellegarde as the best one Peach for all purposes. 
It would also keep good a considerable time if gathered just before 
it is ripe. Nevetheless, Royal George is a fine sort, and succeeds 
admirably in some localities in a free open soil on a gravelly 
subsoil, but in a low cold damp soil it is subject to mildew, and the 
fruit is often undersized and of moderate quality, but there are 
exceptional instances where it is the reverse. Perhaps the fine 
old specimen in the gardens at Chatsworth affords the best example ; 
this Peach tree has done well for very many years, but it is grow¬ 
ing in a raised border in a peachery. 
As I have tried numerous sorts of both Peaches and Nectarines 
my experience and selection may be of service to those in less 
favourable circumstances. As some Peaches are difficult to dis¬ 
tinguish by their fruits alone, I will endeavour to describe them by 
their flowers, as they are in many instances most distinct and more 
readily recognised when in flower.^I will take them in the order 
of ripening, earliest first. 
Alexander. — Flowers large, pale pink, narrow petals, rather 
sparsely produced ; anthers long, dark pink, the pistil the same 
length ; free setter. Fruit rather small, colours well, and of fair 
quality. ^ It forces well, and is^useful on account of its earliness. 
Hale's Early .—Flowers large, pale pink ; anthers pale pink, 
pistil same length as anthers ; very liable to cast its buds, but 
nearly every one that opens will set a fruit, which is of good size, 
round, handsome, and of fair quality. 
Grosse Mignonne .—Flowers large, pale pink : anthers dark 
purplish pink ; pistil yellow, longer than anthers ; fruit very delicate, 
pale pink, somewhat flattened, uneven outline, one side often much 
larger than the other ; fine quality. 
Stirling Castte. —Flowers small, dark red ; anthers dark red ; 
pistil a little longer than anthers ; sets freely and forces well^ fruit 
medium sized, well coloured, and of uneven shape, sometimes almost 
cut in half ; quality good. 
Royal George. —Flowers small, dark red, plentifully produced ; 
pnthers dark dull red ; yellow pistil often shorter than anthers. 
Fruit medium size, bright red, good even outline, and handsome ; 
good quality. 
Violette Hdtive. —Small dull red flowers ; anthers dull red ; 
pistil a little longer than the anthers. Fruit medium size, 
dark purplish dull red, rather flat shaped, handsome, and goodL 
quality. 
Bellegarde. —Flowers small and pale pink ; anthers purplish 
pink ; pistil yellow, slightly longer than the anthers. Fruit medium” 
sized, dark dull red, splashed with violet stain®, nearly round, and. 
good quality. 
Crimson Galande. —Flowers large, pale pink ; anthers bright 
purplish red ; pistil a little longer than anthers of the same colour,. 
Fruit very similar to Bellegarde, perhaps a little brighter colour, 
and somewhat flat, but good quality. 
Sea Eagle. —Flowers large, pale pink ; anthers the same colour 
pistil yellow, same length as the anthers ; very handsome flower.. 
Fruit splendid size and beautiful shape, perhaps the handsomest 
Peach grown, and fair quality. 
Barrington. —Flowers large, bright pink ; anthers purplish red ; 
pistil yellow, rather longer than anthers. Fruit very large, oval 
shape, bright red on sunny side, handsome fruit, and good quality,, 
rather shy. 
Noblesse. — Large bright pink flowers, dark purplish pink 
anthers, yellow pistil, rather longer than anthers. Fruit medium 
size, pale pink, round, somewhat flattened fruit, when well grown 
is very handsome and good. 
Doionshire. —Flowers small, dull red ; anthers dark dull red ; 
pistil very stout, dull red, same length as anthers. Fruit medium 
size, very bright red, round shape, sometimes bearing a nipple, very- 
handsome, free bearing, and good quality. 
Dyinond. —Flowers large, pale pink ; anthers long, pale pink ; 
pistil yellow, same length as the anthers. Fruit large, round, 
dull red, and good quality ; does not stand forcing so well as 
others. 
Goshaivlc. —Flowers large bright pink ; anthers pale pink ;• 
yellow pistil, little longer than anther. Fruit moderate sized, pale 
pink, round even outline, good quality, but does not force well. 
Walburton Admirable. —Flowers small, pale pink ; anthers 
very pale pink ; pistil yellow, level with the anthers. Fruit large, 
handsome, pale pink, round even outline, and when there is plenty 
of sunshine of fair quality. 
Golden Eagle. —Rather small flowers, dull pink colour ; anthers 
dark purplish pink ; pistil yellow, projecting beyond the anthers. 
Fruit medium to large, very bright red next the sun, dark orange 
on shaded side, moderate quality, bat the best late Peach. 
Princess of Wales. —Flowers very large, pale pink ; anthers 
same colour ; yellow pistil, same length as anthers. Fruit very 
large and handsome, pale pink, sometimes it has a nipple, and fair 
quality, good keeper. 
Late Admirable. —Flowers very small and insignificant ; almost 
white anthers ; pistil white ; a little larger than anthers. Rather 
shy setter and poor quality, but a very large, showy, useful late- 
Peach. 
As I have dwelt so long on the Peach my notice of Nectarine.s 
must necessarily be brief, but as they are not in such great demand 
it will be of little consequence ; however, the following few are 
among the best : — 
Lord Napier. — Flowers large, pale pink; anthers very pale 
pink ; pistil yellow, longer than the anthers. Fruit large, round, 
even shape, well coloured, and of fine quality ; keeps good a long 
time. 
Rivers' Early Orange. —Very large pale pink flowers ; anthers 
same colour ; yellow pistil, longer than the anthers. Fruit very 
bright dark red, nearly round, yellow flesh, fine quality,- and keeps 
well. 
Elruge. —Flowers small, dull dark red ; anthers same colour ;• 
pistil yellow, slightly longer. Fruit large, bright crimson, oval 
shape, very handsome, and of fine quality. 
Violette Hdtive. —Flowers small, pale pink ; anthers very pale 
pink ; pistil yellow, longer than the anthers. Fruit medium sized, 
dark crimson, with little grey specks, cone shape, fine quality. 
Victoria. —Flowers small, bright pink ; anthers dark purplish 
red ; pistil yellow, longer than the anthers. Fruit large, round, 
bright red on sunny side, almost green shaded side, good quality. 
Albert Victor. —Flowers small, bright pink ; pale pink anthers ; 
