USPP1099P - Peach tree - Google Patents

Description

y 1952 G. MERRILL Plant Pat. 1,099

PEACH TREE Filed Oct. 27, 1950 WITNESS INVENTOR gage Gran Z MZJ'L'Z Z Patented May 20, 1952 Plant Pat. 1,099

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

PEACH TREE Grant Merrill, Red Bluff, Calif.

Application October 27, 1950, S'erialNo. 192,553

1 Claim. 1

This invention is directed to a new and distinct variety of peach tree which bears late ripening, yellow-fleshed freestone fruit.

The present variety of peach tree was originated by me in the breeding plot which I maintain on my farm near Red Bluff, California. Seeds of the-Kirkman Gem peach (U. S. Plant Patent No. 506) were planted on the above breeding plot in February, 1946. The parent tree of the instant variety first fruited in September, 1948.

Among a number of seedlings the present variety was noted as-being especially outstanding, by reason of several distinctive characteristics, as will hereinafter appear, in comparison to the parent, Kirkman Gem.

Subsequent to its discovery, this variety was cleft grafted onto mature Golden Jubilee trees in my orchard near Red Bluff, California, and the reproductions have since come into bearing; such reproductions retaining in full the novel characteristics of the parent tree, and its fruit.

The present variety of peach tree and its fruit generally resembles the Kirkman Gem, including the ability of the flesh of the fruit not to darken or oxidize detrimentally when exposed to the air, but distinguishes advantageously from the Kirkman Gem in the following respects:

Firstly, the fruit of the present variety ripens a few days later than the Kirkman Gem; the first picking being near the middle of the Kirkman Gem harvest and continuing some days therebeyond.

Additionally, t e fruit of the instant variety is more red in skin color; the fruit does not have a soft stripe do n the suture, as does the Kirkman Gem; and the fruit is more elongated or Elherta shaped, preferred by many on the market.

A further distinguishing feature is that the fruit of the present variety is firmer at the shipping stage of ripeness, and thus less subject to deterioration in transit.

With respect to the tree, the present variety is stronger growing, and more vigorous than the Kirkman Gem.

In the drawin s:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the fruit in connection with a twig and leaves.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the one of the fruit. with the stone exposed.

Referring now more specifically to the promological details of the new and distinct variet of peach tree. the following is an outline description thereof; all major color plate identifications being by reference to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color.

Tree: Medium size; medium shape; vigorous;

vase formed; productive; regular bearer; medium stocky; medium shaggy.

Trunk: Medium stocky; medium shaggy.

Branches: medium stocky; medium shaggy; reddish brown; medium dull.

LenticeZs.-Medium quantity; medium; size.

Leaves: Average length6-' average width- 1%". Medium size; lan'oeola'te; acutely pointed; smooth. Color- -top' side: medium green (22-L-6); under side? slightly lighter green (22-K-3). p Leaf twigs.-Light brown (1-5 -J'1'2)", shading to green along one side; Margin-Grenate. PetioZe.-Medium length; medium thick. GZands.-None to tenaverage, six. Alternate; small to medium size; reniform. Green to yellowish-green, mostly on leaf bla e, some on petiole. Stipules.0n new growth-drop off early.

Flower buds: Medium size; medium, length;

obtuse; free; pubescent.

Flowers: First bloom-March 5, 1950; full bloom-March 14, 1950. Early blooming; large size; pink.

Fruit: Maturity when described-eating to firm ripe. Dates of first and last picking-September 15, 1950, and September 29, 1950. Sizeuniform, large. Average diameter axial1y-3%"; average transversely in suture plane-2%"; average cheek to cheek-2%".

Form-Mostly uniform; symmetrical; globose to oblong.

Suture-Distinct;

base to beyond apex. beyond pistil point.

Ventral surface.-S1ightly lipped throughout, but more on right. Lips unequal.

Cavity.-Rounded; abrupt; slightly elongated in suture plane, with suture showing on one side. Average depthaverage breadth1%. Markingsyellow undercolor, with red blush where exposed to sun.

Base.-Retuse.

Apex.-Short; truncate to retuse.

Pistil point.Apical.

Skin: Thin; medium tender; free when soft; no

tendency to crack.

Color-Bright yellow under-color (11-H-8), some red blush (LL-9) over almost entire shallow; extends from Slight depression 3 fruit. Red dapple (5-F-11) over threefourths of fruit.

Doum.-Scant, rolls slightly when rubbed.

Flesh:

CoZ0r.--Yellow (9-L-7), flecked with red (4-L-6) half way from pit to skin. Almost solid red next to stone.

Surface of pit cavity.Red with creamy pink fibers.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice-Moderate; rich.

Temture.-Firm; meaty.

Fibers.--Abundant; fine; tender.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.-Mild; sub-acid; delicate.

Aroma-Distinct.

Eating quaZity.Excellent, where preference is to acid flavor and high aroma rather than sweetness.

Stone: Free, adheres to flesh slightly on dorsal edges.

Fibers.-Short, retaining a few short fiberlike threads.

Size-Medium. Average average breadth-4 mess-95".

Form.-Obovate to acuminate.

Base-Slightly oblique to straight.

Hilum-Oval.

Ape:v.-Acuminate..

Sides-Mostly equal.

Surface.-Irregularly furrowed near base and toward apex.

Ridges.-Rounded.

Pita-Circular to elongated.

Ventral edge.-Thick, without wing.

Dorsal edge.Full, toward base.

length 1 /2. average thick- 4 Ridges.--On either side; interrupted. CoZor.-Light tan (14-A-12) stained with reddish purple. Tendency to split-Slight. Use: Market; local; dessert; cullinary; canning;

freezing; long distance shipment. Keeping quality; Good. Shipping quality: Excellent.

The tree and it fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may be grown.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as described and illustrated, characterized by its general resemblance to the Kirkman Gem, including late ripening, yellow-fleshed freestone fruit, but distinguished therefrom by a tree; which is stronger growing and more vi orous, and by fruit having a first picking a few days later than the beginning of the Kirkman Gem harvest and a last picking subsequent to the termination of such harvest; the fruit being further characterized by skin having more red color, the absence of a soft stripe down the suture, more elongated or Elberta shaped, and firmer at the shipping stage of ripeness.

GRANT MERRILL.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kirkman Feb. 7, 1950 Number Pl. Pt. 920

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