Prodigy
Green wrinkled Marrow. Pods generally in pairs, nearly straight, extra long and broad, each containing about ten large peas, of excellent quality and flavour. h. about 5ft. Plant robust, vigorous, branching; said to be very productive. A fine new variety, sent out in 1886. Stratagem (Carter's).* Wrinkled Marrow. Pods of enormous size, and sometimes upwards of 6in. in length, each containing from nine to eleven very large peas. l. dark green. h. 2ft. to 2 1/2ft. Habit robust. One of the best dwarf, wrinkled Marrows in cultivation.
Supreme (Laxton's).* Smooth, green-seeded Marrow. Pods from 3in. to 3 1/2in. in length, straight, with an abruptly curved point, well filled; peas large, and of fine flavour. h. 4ft. to 5ft. A hardy and productive second early variety. The pods swell to an unusual size in advance of the peas, which causes them to appear ready for gathering long before they really are. Telegraph (Culverwell's).* Wrinkled Marrow. Pods very numerous, long, broad. Peas large, nine to eleven in a pod, of a fine deep green colour and excellent flavour when cooked. h. 5ft. to 6ft. An excellent, well-known sort, of robust habit.
Telephone (Carter's).* Wrinkled Marrow. Pods solitary or in pairs, very large and broad, each containing from eight to eleven large peas, of first-rate quality. h. 5ft. to 6ft. A splendid wrinkled variety, selected from CULVERWELL'S TELEGRAPH. One of the finest second early sorts. Veitch's Perfection.* Wrinkled blue Marrow. Pods large, usually borne in pairs, straight, containing seven or eight large, compressed peas, of superior quality. h. 3ft. An excellent cropper; highly esteemed as being one of the best sorts.
Late Crop.
British Queen.* Wrinkled white Marrow. Pods usually in pairs, very long and nearly straight, each containing about eight very large, tender peas. h. about 6ft. Plant of vigorous growth and branching habit. A good late sort. Culverwell's Giant Marrow.* Blue wrinkled Marrow. Pods immense, broad, and upwards of 7in. long, well filled with large peas, of finest quality. h. 5ft. to 6ft. Exceedingly productive and fine.
King of the Marrows. Wrinkled green Marrow. Pods generally in pairs, broad, from 2in. to 3in. long, containing from six to eight large, oblong peas. h. 6ft. to 6 1/2ft. One of the very latest and tallest-growing sorts. Maclean's Best of All. Wrinkled green Marrow. Pods produced in pairs, over 3in. long, broad, gradually narrowed at both ends. They contain from five to eight large peas in each, but are not regularly filled. h. about 3ft. A rather late sort, productive, and of good quality.
Ne Plus Ultra.* Wrinkled green Marrow. Pods nearly always in pairs, fine dark glaucous green, curved, narrowed towards the stalk; peas very large, from seven to nine in a pod, of first-rate quality. h. from 6ft. to 7ft. An abundant bearer, and one of the best late Peas in cultivation. Omega (Laxton's).* Wrinkled green Marrow. Pods usually in pairs, long, narrow, very closely filled with from eight to ten very large, dark green peas, of excellent quality. h. about 2 1/2ft. Very prolific. This might be termed a dwarf NE PLUS ULTRA.
Prizetaker Green Marrow. Smooth, green-seeded Marrow. Pods nearly 3 1/2in. long, slightly curved, of a deep bluish-green, covered with thick bloom. Each pod contains from six to ten large peas, which become misshapen from being compressed. h. 4ft.to 5ft.
Sturdy (Laxton's).* Wrinkled green Marrow. Pods produced in pairs, long, nearly straight, containing from six to nine large, dark green peas, of excellent quality. h. about 3ft. One of the latest sorts, robust, strong growing, much branched.
EDIBLE-PODDED OR SUGAR PEAS. All the sorts of Peas that have been already noticed are grown in gardens, principally for the use of their produce in a young or green state. They are termed Shelling Peas, and the pods are of no use when once their contents are extracted, because they are lined with a hard and tough, stringy membrane, which renders them unfit for food. In the other class, now under notice, the pods are usually destitute of this stringy substance, and readily snap, like those of Kidney Beans. If prepared and cooked, when young, in a similar way to the lastnamed vegetable, they are considered to form an excellent dish, one which is more appreciated on the Continent dish, one which is more appreciated on the Continent than in this country. Edible-podded Peas are not much cultivated in Britain; not so extensively, perhaps, as their merits deserve. Subjoined are the names of a few sorts.
Butter Pea. Pods from 2in. to 2 1/2in. long, produced singly, and in pairs, deeply curved; the sides are very fleshy, thick, and succulent. h. 3ft. to 4ft.
Dwarf Dutch. Pods often solitary, narrow, crooked, thick, and fleshy; seeds white, large, from five to seven in a pod. A very dwarf variety. Early Dwarf Brittany.* Pods generally in pairs, about 2in. long, narrow, fleshy, quite free from membrane. h. about 2 1/2ft.
Forty Days' Edible-Podded. Pods generally in pairs, straight, free from membrane; peas medium-sized, slightly compressed, white when ripe. h. about 4ft. A climbing variety, which produces its flowers over a long period. Giant Sugar Pea.* Pods sometimes 6in. in length, larger than those of any variety of this class, much twisted; peas large, distinctly seen from the outside of the pod. h. 4ft. to 5ft. Should be used when young. Large Crooked Sugar Pea.* Pods very large, sometimes 5in. long, broad, often crooked, free from membrane, and exceedingly tender when young. h. about 5ft. One of the best sorts, more extensively grown than any of the others. FUNGI. The Fungi parasitic on Peas are chiefly two species, which resemble each other in forming whitish coatings on the leaves and other parts of the plants; but they are not difficult to distinguish, even with the unaided eye. In both, the whitish coat is formed of rows of cells, forming threads too slender to be seen distinctly, even with a lens. Both belong to the forms included under the general name of Mildew (which see); but they represent widely different groups of Fungi. Erysiphe Martii (Pea Mildew) is the commoner of the two. It possesses conidia of the type described under Oidium and also spores in asci which lie in the perithecia. The plants are, at times, wholly covered with this Fungus, and the result is stoppage of their growth, and loss of the seeds. Unfortunately, this Fungus grows on many other plants also, so that it can hardly be exterminated from gardens. Peronospora Viciae (Pea Mould) is more plentiful on Tares than on Peas. On both, it grows on the lower surface of the leaves; and it differs from the Pea Mildew in sending its filaments through the Pea's tissues, thus living inside the hostplant. It differs also in the reproductive processes. The conidia are of the kind described under Peronospora; and so also are the resting, or sexually mature, spores. The latter are formed within the tissues of the Peas, and serve to reproduce the Fungus in the following spring. Plants attacked by this Fungus are pierced by it in all directions, though only the branches that bear conidia are to be seen on the outer surface of the host-plant. The diseased tissues become brown, and ultimately rotten, and fall to pieces. P. Viciae appears in early summer; it attacks many leguminous plants. Remedies should be directed rather to insure prevention of injury to subsequent crops than in trying to save those plants already diseased. All refuse, especially Pea stalks, and other rubbish of that nature, must be collected and burned, to prevent the diseases being transmitted by such means from the crop of one year to that of the next. The remedies recommended under Mildew and Oidium would help to check Pea Mildew (which is quite superficial in its growth), but would not be of any use for Pea Mould.
Peas, along with Beans and Vetches, are also subject to the attacks of Pea and Bean Rust (Uromyces appendiculatus, var. Pisi). Plants diseased from this cause assume a dull, rusty-brown hue, which, in bad attacks, may almost conceal the green of the leaves, but usually only modifies it more or less. This colour is due to very numerous, small, rust-coloured spots, distributed over the surface, none of them usually exceeding 1/10in. across; though, occasionally, two or more may meet, and join into one spot. Under the microscope, the spots are seen to be made up of a crowded mass of minute, egg-shaped cells, of a rusty-brown colour, each supported on a long, slender stalk. These cells are the spores of the Fungus, and ripen towards the end of summer, or in autumn. In spring, each pushes out a blunt, slender tube, on which form three or four very small sporidia; and these, if they fall on a suitable food-plant, push a tube into it. This tube branches and spreads through the tissues, and forms, in turn, new spots of spores bursting through the epidermis, or skin, of the leaf. It is believed, by some botanists, that this Fungus appears also in another form on one of the Spurges, Euphorbia Cyparissias. Plants attacked by Rust should be burned as soon as possible, to prevent the disease from spreading. The position of the mycelium in the tissues of the host-plants renders any direct means of destroying the Fungus hopeless, without involving the host-plant in the demolition. Such plants as favour its spread, and give it support, e.g., Vetches, should be kept as far from the Pea crop as possible.
INSECT PESTS. The Pea is exposed to the attacks of not a few insects. Some of these injure the leaves and the young stems; others feed in the fruit, eating the Peas, either while young and soft, or after they have been stored in the granary, and leaving them mere hollow shells, pierced at one side with a hole. The seeds are frequently damaged by Millipedes (see Myriapoda) while they are sprouting, especially in wet seasons, and, like all garden produce, they are eaten by slugs and snails. Among their worst foes are the Pea and Bean Weevils (see Sitona), which, as beetles, gnaw the leaflets, leaving the margins notched; or the whole leaflet is more or less completely eaten away. In very bad attacks, the whole crop may be destroyed. These beetles also feed on Beans, Clover, Lucern, and other leguminous plants. The most hurtful species are the Striped Pea Weevil S. lineata), and the Spotted Pea Weevil (S.crinita). They are about 1/6in. long, elliptical, black, covered with minute scales, which are clay-coloured, rosy-greyish, or whitish; the beak is short and stout; and the wing-covers bear ten lines of minute pits from end to end. S. crinita may be known by having short bristles on the wingcovers behind, and by its slightly smaller size. These insects feed during the day, but are readily overlooked, since, when alarmed, they at once fall from the plants to the earth. They begin their ravages even in March, and may be met with throughout the summer.
The larvae of several kinds of moths are destructive to Pea-plants. as well as to other garden produce (see Mamestra, Plusia, and Potherb Moths). The larvae of a small fly (see Phytomyza) burrow between the surfaces of the leaf, and make winding, white tracks, in which they change to pupae, and thereafter into flies; but these mines can scarcely be said to weaken the plants. The roots are liable to be eaten by larvae that live underground (see Noctua and Wireworms). The young shoots and branches are occasionally smothered, or nearly so, by swarms of Green Fly (see Aphides), usually of the species Siphonophora Pisi and Aphis Papaveris.
Bees, but more particularly Humble Bees (which see), at times, do considerable harm, by boring holes, from which to suck the honey, without effecting the fertilisation of the ovules by transferring pollen from flower to flower. The larvae of a tiny midge (Cecidomyia Pisi) may, at times, be found feeding, in large numbers, in the young pods, eating the unripe Peas, and causing the pods to be spotted with yellow. The larvae are white, and reach about 1/3in. in length. They bore out of the pods, when full-fed, fall to the ground, and become pupae in the earth.
The larvae of certain beetles, and of two or three moths, feed on the seeds in pods approaching ripeness, as well as in dried Peas. The more noteworthy are: Tychius quinque-punctatus and Bruchus Pisi and B. granarius among beetles; and Grapholitha pisana, Guen. (Endopisa proximana of Stainton's "Manual"), and, to a less extent, Endopisa nigricana (of the same "Manual") among the moths. Tychius quinque-punctatus is a Weevil about 1/5in. long, elongate-ovate; the beak tapers from base to tip, is rather long, and curves downwards; the colour is black, covered with coppery-red scales. The lower surface is pure white; the thorax is rounded, the thighs rather thick, toothed, and black; the rest of the legs, and the antennae, dull red. The beetles appear in late autumn, live through the winter, and in spring and early summer lay eggs in the young pods of various Leguminosae. The larvae feed in the pods. They are yellowish-white and smooth. When full-fed, they fall to the ground, and become pupae in the soil.
The Bruchidae differ from Weevils in having the beak short, broad, and flattened, the antennae straight and gradually becoming thicker, the wing-cases shorter than the abdomen, and the hind legs long and strong. B. Pisi is about 1/5in. long, oval, black, with a dense coat of silky hairs, which are bright brown above, paler beneath; thorax variegated with orange hairs; lateral teeth white; wing-cases striated, with some paler spots and obscure streaks; tarsi and tibiae, in parts, and four basal joints of antennae dull red. This beetle has been most injurious in Southern Europe. It is believed to be a native of North America. Though often imported with Peas, it has not fully established itself anywhere in Britain. The beetles pair while the Peas are in flower; and the females deposit their eggs in the Peas, in which the larvae live all winter, hollowing them out; finally becoming perfect beetles, and boring out from them in the ensuing spring and summer. B. granarius is slightly smaller than B. Pisi, but is otherwise much like that species, though with a thinner coat of hair. The teeth on the sides of the thorax are less distinct; and there are white dots on the back. The wingcases are sprinkled with whitish hairs, and there is a brown stripe near the base of the wing-cases. The first pair of legs, and the four basal joints of the antennae, are pale red; and the second and third pairs of legs are dark throughout. B. granarius is common in Peas, and also in pods of Beans, Broom, Furze, and Vetches. In habits, it is much like B. Pisi. It has been asserted that Peas and Beans containing the larvae injure the health of persons, and of domestic animals, who partake of them.
The moths hurtful, in the larval state, to Peas are included in the great group of Tortricina (which see), and are now referred to the genus Grapholitha, though Stainton, in his "Manual," includes them in the genus Endopisa. Of these, the most common is the Pea Moth (G.pisana, Guen.= Endopisa proximana of Stainton's "Manual"). This insect measures about 1/2in. across the front wings, which are olive-brown in colour, with a row of short, pale yellowish lines along the front margin, directed backwards. Near the hind margin is a silvery ring, inclosing a spot in which are three or four short, black lines. The moths fly in June; they lay eggs on the young pods, and the larvae bore into the pods to reach the seeds. When full-fed, they are about 1/4in. long, rather stout, and yellowish, with a black head, and brown dots on the rings. They eat their way out of the seeds when full-fed, and creep underground to become pupae. The moths appear in the following June. Nearly allied to this species is another, G. tenebrosana, Dp. (E. nigricana of Stainton), which differs in its darker brown ground-colour, and only faintly yellowish tip; in its whitish and pale yellow scales, scattered over the wings; and in the spot near the hind margin being very little yellower than the rest, and inclosing mere dots instead of streaks. The larva of this species also feeds in Peas.
Remedies. These differ with the habits of the various insects, and other foes. For measures to get rid of Millipedes, see Millipedes and Myriapoda; and see also Slugs and Snails for remedies against the attacks of those creatures. The Pea Weevils (Sitona lineata and S. crinita) may be best prevented from doing serious damage by using all means to promote the rapid growth of the plants, as they are thus protected against the loss of all their leaves. Good soil, well prepared and well manured, is one of the best means for obtaining a good crop of Peas. A dressing of coal ashes along the rows also favours growth. It is recommended that Peas should follow Cabbages or root-crops. All kinds of shelter for the beetles should be abolished. To free the plants when attacked, a dressing of lime, or of soot, sprinkled on the wet plants, has proved useful; and gas-lime, or sand mixed with paraffin, scattered on the soil along the rows, would probably help considerably. Harrowing, or hoeing the Peas when wet, is also said to be of marked benefit. Shaking the plants over tarred canvas, or over sheets, from which the beetles can be swept up and destroyed, will materially help in reducing their numbers. For means of preventing ravages of root-feeding larvae, see Noctua and Wireworms. The mining larvae of the fly Phytomyza do so little harm, that, as a rule, it is unnecessary to take means against them; the only method of cure seems to be crushing the larvae, while in the leaves, between the finger and thumb. For means to be employed against the larvae of the larger moths, see Mamestra and Potherb Moths.
If Aphides appear on the young shoots, the best treatment is to nip these off at once and burn them, and thus prevent the Aphides from increasing and spreading to the remaining parts of the plants. To free a few plants from Green Fly, dressings of soot on the wet plants, or of soap-suds, would be advantageous.
Humble Bees are seldom so hurtful to Pea flowers as to render their destruction needful, more especially since they do good by effecting, or, at least, aiding in securing the advantages of, cross-fertilisation. If it should become desirable to reduce their numbers in any garden, this can only be done by catching the individual bees, and by seeking out and destroying their nests, hidden in holes, under moss, &c.
The Pea Midge (Cecidomyia Pisi) seldom does much evident harm; the only methods of limiting its ravages are: Picking the diseased, yellow-spotted pods, and digging down the surface soil to destroy the pupae. Against all the larvae that feed in the seeds, the most useful remedy is to expose the latter for a time to a heat of about 125 deg. Fahr. This heat will destroy the larvae, but will not injure the seeds.
Pea-straw should be removed and burned as early in the autumn as possible. Since the beetles and moths alike burrow into the ground to become pupae, whatever may help to destroy the pupae in the earth will be of service. Trenching the soil is of special value, since it throws many of the pupae too deep to allow the insects to reach the surface, and other pupae are exposed to the eyes of birds. Applications to the plants of soot, or of any other disagreeable substances, might prevent the female insects from laying their eggs thereon.
PEACH (Persica vulgaris). The Peach has been cultivated in this country since the middle of the sixteenth century, about which time it is said to have been introduced. Although generally stated to be a native of Persia, De Candolle considers the Peach to be of Chinese origin, this question being very fully treated in that author's "Geographie Botanique" and "L'Origine des Plantes Cultivees." It was known to Theophrastus in 322 B.C. Its cultivation is now more or less extensively practised over a large portion of Europe and America. In this country, the trees require protection of some sort, particularly during the spring. This is provided by planting them under glass, or against walls outside, with a southern exposure, temporary coverings being used in the latter case, throughout the flowering period, and until the fruits are set. Trees planted in the open ground never become sufficiently ripened to bear fruit: consequently, their culture is seldom attempted, except in a young state, without proper protection being provided. Peaches are grown in abundance throughout the warmer parts of Asia, and also in many provinces of the United States. In France, their cultivation receives considerable attention, and the fruits obtained are of excellent quality. Peach culture in this country, particularly forcing under glass, forms one of the most important of gardening operations amongst fruit-trees; and the success or failure of this work are matters depending very considerably on details of management, which require to be thoroughly understood. The fruit of the Peach is, more or less, round, and is characterised by having a delicate, downy skin, with a furrow or suture on one side, proceeding from the stem to the apex, and varying in depth in different sorts. When properly ripened, it is highly valued, and deservedly accorded a prominent position, both amongst dessert and exhibition fruits. For propagation, general cultivation, forcing, and other remarks respecting Peach-trees and their management, see Nectarine. Sorts. Subjoined is a selection of the best and most esteemed Peaches, all of which are worthy of cultivation, where there is sufficient accommodation, and a supply is required over a lengthened period each year. It will be observed that many of the varieties described were raised at, or have emanated from, the Sawbridgeworth Nursery. The new varieties raised at Sawbridgeworth are chiefly the result of Mr. Rivers' experiments in hybridising and raising such quantities of Peaches and Nectarines from seed. The pollen of the Stanwick Nectarine was used, and the stain of blood is very evident in the Nectarines, which are entirely changed in character. The experiments were commenced many years ago, and several most valuable acquisitions to varieties of hardy fruits have, as a consequence, been secured.
A Bec. Flowers large. Fruit large, of uneven outline, terminated with a prominent nipple at the apex; skin yellowish, dark crimson next the sun; flesh white, tender, and melting. End of August. Glands round. A fine variety. Acton Scot. Flowers large. Fruit medium, nearly round; skin deep red next the sun; flesh pale yellow, melting, and rich. End of August. Leaves crenate; glands round. A rather small-fruited, but excellent, free-bearing sort. Albatross. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round; skin pale yellow, mottled and streaked with dark crimson; flesh white, rich, and good. Middle of September. Leaves glandless. A fine late Peach, raised by Mr. Rivers. Alexander. Flowers large. Fruit large, round, of a brilliant colour where exposed to the sun; flesh yellowish-white, juicy, and brisk in flavour. Early in July, in an orchard-house. Glands round. An excellent and very early Peach, of American origin, introduced by Mr. Rivers.
Alexandra Noblesse. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round; skin downy, very pale; flesh white, melting, richly flavoured. Middle of August. Leaves smooth; glands round. A very fine Peach, raised by Mr. Rivers from NOBLESSE; in consequence of its smooth leaves, it is considered less liable than its parent to be attacked by mildew.
Barrington. Flowers bright red, large. Fruit large, somewhat elongated, with a prominent nipple; skin downy, deep red next the sun; flesh whitish-green, tinged with red near the stone, of excellent flavour. Middle and end of September, succeeding ROYAL GEORGE and NOBLESSE. Glands round. The tree is a vigorous grower, and, generally, a good bearer.
Belle Bauce. Flowers pink, large. Fruit large, somewhat depressed or flattened at the summit; skin downy, deep red nearly all over; flesh white, tinged red near the stone, juicy and rich. Middle of September, or ten days later than GROSSE MIGNONNE, of which it is considered but a variety or form. Leaves crenated; glands round. A handsome Peach.
Belle de Doue. Flowers small. Fruit large, deep red nearly all over; flesh melting, very richly flavoured. End of August and beginning of September. Glands round.
Bellegarde. Flowers deep rose, small. Fruit large, somewhat inconstant obovoid, or nearly spherical, with very small nipple and distinct suture; skin excessively downy, violet-red on the shady side, blackish-purple where exposed; flesh yellowish-white, red near the stone, melting and juicy, delicately perfumed. End of August and beginning of September. Leaves large, finely serrated with round glands. This excellent sort is accepted by English pomologists as identical with the GALANDE of the French. The BELLEGARDE of the French pomologists is a different sort with large flowers, and of no special merit in this country. SYNS. English Galande, French Galande, Galande, Noir de Montreuil.
Chancellor. Flowers small. Fruit large, roundish-oval; skin dark crimson, pale greenish-yellow on the shaded side; flesh pale yellow, deeply rayed with red at the stone, juicy and rich. Middle of September. Glands reniform or kidney-shaped.
Condor. Flowers large. Glands reniform, A comparatively new very fine sort, raised by Mr. Rivers, and described as follows: "A large Peach from EARLY SILVER; colour bright crimson, flavour piquant and rich. August." Crimson Galande. Flowers small. Fruit medium or large, roundish, deep crimson, almost black; flesh deeply stained with red near the stone, tender, melting, and richly flavoured. Middle and end of August. Glands round. A hardy and prolific variety, raised by Mr. Rivers.
Desse Tardive. Flowers small. Fruit large, round, of a pale colour, slight red next the sun; flesh greenish-white, sweet and rich. End of September and beginning of October. Glands round. One of the best late Peaches. Dr. Hogg. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round, pale yellow, tinged with crimson next the sun, and similarly dotted on the shaded side; flesh firm, yellowish-white, red at the stone, rich and sugary. Middle of August. Glands kidney-shaped. A remarkably vigorous-growing variety, which bears freely, but is not adapted for forcing; raised by Mr. Rivers.
Dymond. Flowers large. Fruit very large, flattened at the summit, mottled red on the exposed side; flesh white, stained red near the stone, highly flavoured. Middle of September. Leaves glandless.
Early Beatrice. Flowers large. Fruit medium, round; skin marbled, very highly-coloured where exposed; flesh nearly white, melting, juicy, and richly flavoured. Early in July, in an orchard-house, and outside at the end of that month. Glands small, kidney-shaped. One of the earliest sorts known; raised by Mr. Rivers.
Early Rivers. Flowers large. Fruit large, pale yellow, with delicate, flesh-coloured dots on the exposed side; flesh pale, melting, remarkably rich and juicy. Middle of July, in an orchard-house. Glands kidney-shaped. A valuable, very early Peach; it was raised by Mr. Rivers, who states that it is apt to crack at the stone, when the fruit ceases to swell, and has no flavour. To obviate this cracking, he recommends that it should be fertilised with pollen from other flowers, as it is possible the immaturity arises from insufficient impregnation.
Early Silver. Flowers large. Fruit very large and pale, with blush cheek next the sun; flesh white, melting, and rich. Middle of August. Glands kidney-shaped. Requires a warm position and favoured situation. Raised by Mr. Rivers from seed of the WHITE Nectarine, the flavour of which it partially retains.
Exquisite. Flowers small. Fruit very large, deep yellow, with dark crimson cheek; flesh yellow, stained with deep red at the stone, rich, and melting. Middle of September. Glands round. A fine-flavoured American sort, of immense size.
Golden Eagle. Flowers small. Fruit very large, round, depressed, orange-colour, with some red on the exposed side; flesh stained red near the stone, tender, rich, and melting. End of September or early in October. Glands kidney-shaped. One of the best yellow Peaches; raised by Mr. Rivers. Goshawk. Flowers large. Beginning of September. Leaves serrate, glandless. A very large, pale-coloured, mid-season Peach, raised from an American sort, named COOLEDGE'S FAVOURITE; it is of excellent quality. Grosse Mignonne. Flowers deep red, large. Fruit large, somewhat hollowed at the summit, and furnished with a deep suture, which appears to divide it into two parts; skin downy, pale yellow, mottled with red, dark red next the sun; flesh pale yellow, red near the stone, juicy, rich, and highly flavoured; stone small, rough. End of August and beginning of September. Glands round. This splendid mid-season Peach is one of the best in cultivation, either for forcing or for any purpose, if only one sort were required. It has been grown for a very long period, and twenty or more varieties, sent out at various times as being new, have eventually been found to be identical with it. This may be accounted for to a great extent from its being one of the most highly-esteemed sorts, and from the fact that it reproduces itself from seed. Hale's Early. Flowers large. Fruit medium, round, depressed at the summit; skin dark crimson, particularly next the sun; flesh yellow, melting, and very good. End of July or beginning of August. Glands round. A first-rate, very early Peach, of American origin; well adapted for forcing. Late Admirable. Flowers pale red, small. Fruit very large, somewhat oblong, with swollen nipple at the apex; skin downy, dull crimson, striped, deeper crimson next the sun; flesh yellowish-green, red near the stone, very juicy, of delicate flavour. Middle or end of September. Glands round. One of the best late Peaches, particularly under glass.
Noblesse. Flowers large. Fruit large, sometimes rather pointed, sometimes depressed, yellowish-green on the shaded side, delicately marbled, and streaked with red on the side next the sun; flesh white almost throughout, melting, exceedingly juicy and rich. End of August and beginning of September. Leaves glandless. A most valuable variety, which may be successfully forced, but the tree is sometimes subject to mildew.
Princess of Wales. Flowers very large. Fruit very large, rounded, terminated by a prominent nipple; skin cream-coloured when ripe, with rosy cheek; flesh yellowish, red at the stone, of excellent quality. End of September and beginning of October. Glands round. A very valuable late Peach, raised by Mr. Rivers from a Clingstone variety, named PAVIE DE POMPONE, worthless in this country.
Rivers' Early York. Flowers large. Fruit medium, marbled with red on the shady side, deep red where exposed; flesh greenish-white, melting, and richly flavoured. Beginning and middle of August. Leaves smooth; glands round. A variety raised by Mr. Rivers from the old EARLY YORK, on which it is an improvement, inasmuch as the tree escapes mildew much better, and generally produces a good crop. It is well adapted for forcing. Royal George. Flowers dull red, small. Fruit large, globular; skin downy, deep red next the sun, dotted on the shaded part; flesh yellowish-white, red near the stone, juicy, rich, and excellent. End of August and beginning of September. Leaves glandless. One of the best-known and most highly-esteemed sorts. It forces well, but the tree is subject to mildew. Sea Eagle. Flowers large. Fruit very large, round, lemon-yellow, deep red on the exposed side; flesh white, stained red near the stone, highly flavoured. End of September. Glands round. One of the best late Peaches; raised by Mr. Rivers from the variety named EARLY SILVER.
Stirling Castle. Flowers small. Fruit medium, roundish, pale-coloured, marbled red where exposed; flesh white, melting, and rich. Beginning of September. Leaves glandless. A hardy sort.
The Nectarine Peach. Flowers large. Fruit very large, pointed; skin nearly smooth, like a Nectarine, yellow, mottled red on the exposed side; flesh brisk and richly flavoured. Middle and end of September. Glands small, kidney-shaped. A first-rate late variety, raised by Mr. Rivers from a seed of a Dutch Nectarine, called LE GRAND NOIR.
Walburton Admirable. Flowers small. Fruit large, round, yellowish-green where shaded, crimson-mottled, with a darker colour where exposed; flesh yellowish-white, juicy, and rich. End of September and beginning of October. Glands round. A very valuable late Peach.
FUNGI. The most noteworthy Fungus parasitic on the Peach is Exoascus deformans. This causes one form of Peach Curl, or Peach Blister, so called from the appearance it gives rise to in the leaves. The other form of Peach Blister is cause by Aphides, and may be recognised by the presence of those insects, and by the red colour of the diseased leaves. E. deformans makes its presence manifest by the appearance of the leaves, and by a pale bloom, visible chiefly on the lower surface. The microscope shows that this bloom is due to the presence, all over the leaf, of innumerable erect, slender cells, containing spores, and each supported on a shorter cell. The Cherry, the Gean, and the Plum, are also liable to suffer through attacks of this Fungus; but in these trees it gives rise to the so-called "witch-knots," or short branches arising in a crowded mass, the leaves and twigs of which show the bloom of the Fungus at certain times of the year. The leaves covered with E. deformans wither and fall off prematurely; and even while on the tree, they cease to be of use to the host-plant. Besides this, the tissues of the host are diseased by the Fungus, and it reappears year after year on the same branch system. The only remedy is to cut off and destroy the diseased branches and leaves. Sphaerotheca pannosa, a mildew, is of frequent occurrence on the Peach. It forms a dense, greenish coat over the parts affected, living on the outer surface of the cells of the host-plant. Flowers of sulphur, or the solution of potassium sulphide, is the most effectual cure for this disease. See Mildew. Certain small pale spots may, at times, be observed on Peach leaves, the work of small species of Fungi, named Cercospora Persicoe and C. circumscissa. The injury done by them is too slight to call for a longer notice here. INSECT PESTS. The Peach-tree is liable to injury from insect operations in several ways, but only those of more frequent occurrence need be specified. A small moth (Anarsia lineatella) destroys from two to several inches at the tips of the branches, by its larvae boring into them, and eating the pith from them in spring and early summer; while the larvae of an autumn brood eat into the fruits while on the trees. This insect belongs to the Tineina (see Moths), but is larger than the average of that group, reaching a span of nearly 3/5 in. across the front wings, which are grey, with darker grey markings, especially a dark lozenge-shaped mark on the front margin. All the wings are narrow, and long-fringed. This insect is found both in Europe and in North America.
A Weevil, Otiorhynchus ligustici (see Otiorhyncus), gnaws the leaves of the Peach, as well as of many other trees. The larvae of several of the larger moths and butterflies also eat the leaves; but the harm done by them is seldom serious. A Sawfly (Lyda nemoralis), in the larval state, lives on several trees of the group of stone-fruits, and among these is the Peach; the larvae live in colonies, but each in a separate tube, protected in the common web (see Lyda). The webs, with the inclosed larvae, are easily removed and destroyed.
The worst insect enemies of the Peach-tree are Aphides, of which several species are found on it in Britain. The most hurtful is Aphis Persicae, B. de Fonsc. (A. Amygdali, Buckton), since it causes the young leaves near the tips of the branches to assume a blistered appearance, to become thickened and red, and to curl up, so as to form retreats below them, in which the insects live protected. The leaves become useless to the tree, and drop off prematurely. The insects are of an ochreous or rusty-yellow colour, with dark brown or black markings covering a great part of the upper surface. Myzus Persicae and Hyalopterus Pruni are both common on Peach-trees; but they do not give rise to the distortion of the leaves, though hurtful by covering the leaves with their skins and excretions, and weakening the trees by the food they draw from the tissues. The former species has the wingless female rosy or rusty-red, the winged female brown or almost black, and the male citron-yellow. The latter has the wingless female pale green, and the winged female yellowish-green. When Aphis Persicae appears, the twigs most affected should be cut off and destroyed, with their inhabitants. For all the species, washes may be used, such as soapsuds, or a solution of 11b. of soft soap in five gallons of water, or a solution of soft soap with tobacco. These liquids may be pumped on from a garden engine, or the infested twigs may be dipped into them; but special care must be taken to reach the insects on the under surface of the leaves. The Peach Scale insect (Lecanium Persicae) lives on the buds and branches of Peach, Plum, and various other trees. As in the allied species (see Scale Insects), the female is covered with a slightly convex, oval shield. This is brown, with a yellowish dorsal line, and two darker spots at the sides. As the eggs become matured, the shield becomes nearly hemispherical, and the legs disappear from the lower surface. The males are smaller than the females, have two wings, and bear two slender filaments, like tails; they are dark red-brown, with black head, and yellowish antennae and legs. For this, as for the other Scale insects, the best treatment is the use of a stiff brush, with similar solutions to those employed against Aphides (which see), or with paraffin, to remove them from the branches.
Lastly, the fruit of the Peach is, in common with the other stone-fruits, inhabited occasionally by the larva of a beetle (Anthonomus druparum), which feeds in the seed, but usually does not greatly check the growth of the edible part of the fruit. This beetle is nearly related to the Apple Blossom Weevil (which see for methods of prevention and remedies).
PEAR (Pyrus communis). The Pear-tree has been known, and has been under cultivation, from a period of remote antiquity. It is found wild in some parts of England, is a native of most temperate parts of Europe and Western Asia, and is also found in the Himalayan region; other wild types, besides P. communis, have had more or less to do with the origin of many cultivated Pears. In a wild state, its branches are thorny; but, under cultivation, the thorns disappear, and are replaced by fruit-buds, which are formed on shoots of about the same length, technically termed spurs. The tree is naturally more inclined to grow in a pyramidal form than the Apple-tree (Pyrus Malus). It differs also from the Apple in being longer as a seedling plant in coming into bearing; while, on the other hand, under favourable conditions, it is very much longer-lived. The Pear can, however, scarcely be considered so hardy as the Apple, as it is not found so far north, in either a wild or cultivated state. In old orchards, where Pear and Apple-trees have been growing under similar conditions, it has been noted that the former were in full vigour, and bearing abundantly, long after the latter had disappeared, or had been removed in consequence of natural decay. The Pear does not produce fruit on the former year's wood, but on spurs which grow out of wood out less than a year old. On the points of these, buds are formed, and the flowers are produced from each, in corymbs of from five to nine (which shows two corymbs of flowers). A large proportion of these flowers will usually fall off at an early stage of growth, because of their being unable to compete with stronger ones, which take a lead, if weather and other conditions allow them to set properly. Were all the flowers to set and be allowed to come to maturity, the size and quality of fruit throughout would be materially affected. This is not of very frequent occurrence generally; but, should it take place, thinning is an obvious remedy. The uses of Pears are pretty well known. First, and most important, as dessert fruits, nearly all the best varieties are highly esteemed. For kitchen use, some few sorts are specially adapted, because of their fruits being large, and the flesh firm and somewhat austere rather than sweet; this renders them more suitable for stewing, baking, & c. Another use for Pears is that of producing perry. Fruits for this purpose may be either large or small; the more austere or rough their taste, the better is the liquor product considered.