1871. ] 
LORD PALMERSTON PEACH. 
97 
LORD PALMERSTON PEACH. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
jl^OR the opportunity of presenting our readers with a figure of this fine new 
r ‘ late Peach we liave to thank the Rev. W. F. Radclyffe. The specimens, 
portrayed with great fidelity by Mr. Macfarlane, afford splendid illustra¬ 
tions not only of the beauty of the variety itself, but also of the very 
successful mode of treatment which is carried out in Mr. Radclyffe’s garden at 
Okeford Fitzpaine. The variety is one of Mr. Rivers’ recent valuable acquisitions, 
and is of the race of the Pavie de Pompone, a very large clingstone peach 
ripening in October. The new variety, now figured, retains to a slight extent 
this adherent quality of the flesh. Mr. Radclyffe’s note concerning it runs as 
follows :— 
“ Lord Palmerston is a very large Peach,—the largest here. I sent the 
artist three specimens, one not painted 10 in. in circumference; the two, por¬ 
trayed most faithfully, were rather over 9 in., and were not quite fully grown. I 
thought they would travel better than when fully ripe. It is a very valuable 
Peach. Its season on a south wall, in my exposed garden, is from the last week 
in September to October 11. In more genial situations, I suppose from the 
second week in September to October 1 would be about its season. It is some¬ 
what like, but larger than, the Princess of Wales—a most beautiful late Peach, 
of the same season. The flowers of both are amongst the largest of all Peaches, 
and afford quite a floral sight. The trees of both are most vigorous and prolific. 
Lord Palmerston is finely shaped. The skin, when covered with leaves, as was 
the case with the 10-in. peach sent, is rich cream, without any marking. The two 
figured were exposed to the light. The colour of the skin is creamy, with either 
pink suffusion, or mottled like the specimens figured. The flesh is firm, and 
slightly adherent when not fully ripened ; but when the flesh is fully matured it is 
melting, and also rich for so late a season. Like the Princess of Wales, it is very 
red at the stone. It was raised from the Princess of Wales Peach, which variety 
was raised from Pavie de Pompone. The glands are round, or nearly so. This 
description, like the portrait, is, I believe, faithful.” 
The fruit from which our figure was taken, at the end of September last, were, 
as above stated, fully 9 in. in circumference. The skin was of a pale sulphur yellow, 
the exposed parts being flushed with dull crimson, over which was disposed in 
crowded blotches a deeper or purplish-red tint, the whole of the highly-coloured 
part of the fruit thus acquiring a marbled character. The flesh was firm, whitish 
in colour, becoming red next the stone, and of rich and pleasant flavour, though 
being prematurely gathered, it could not have been at its best. The glands of the 
leaves were very small roundish-reniform. 
Fruit-growers owe a special debt of gratitude to Mr. Rivers for the valuable 
additions which, through the aid of orchard-house culture, he has been enabled 
3rd series.—IV. F 
