USPP1256P - Nectarine tree - Google Patents

Description

Patented Feb. 16, 1954 Plant Pat. 1,256

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE NECTARINE TREE Grant Merrill, Red Bluif, Calif.

Application JanuaryI 12, 1953, Serial No. 330,932

l Claim;

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree; such variety being characterizedas compared to the John Rivers (unpatented) variety of nectarine tree` by a harvest season approximately ten days earlier; and by semi-freestone fruit which is larger, more highly colored, round, and having flesh whose texture is medium, firm, and crisp.

The instant variety of nectarine tree bears fruit, therefore, for market use which is available to the trade a substantial number o1' days ahead of the fruit of the John Rivers variety of nectarine; the latter heretofore having been the earliest commercial nectarine.

Additionally, the fruit of the herein claimed variety of nectarine tree has good shipping quality and very good keeping quality.

The present variety of nectarine tree was originated by me upon my ranch near Red Bluff. California, in the following manner:

A cross was made between the J. H. Hale (unpatented) peach and the Flaming Gold (unpatented) nectarine, and of the resulting peach seedlings one of them was selected as being a superior variety. Seeds of this selected varietyopen pollenated--were then planted, and among the resulting seedlings one was the present variety of nectarine, which was recognized as new and distinct and selected for subsequent propagation.

Subsequently, the present variety was successfully asexually reproduced by June buds on Lovell (unpatented) peach seedlings and also on older trees; the reproductions. upon careful observation, having been found to carry forward each and every one of the characteristics of the parent. Such reproduction of the variety was accomplished on a ranch near McFarland, California.

In the original drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of fruit of the variety, together with leaves and twigs.

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

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a leaf.

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

Trunk: Medium stockiness; medium shagginess.

2 Branches: Medium stockiness; medium shagginess.

Colora-Grey brown.

Lenticels.-Medium quantity; medium to large size. Leaves: Length, Eil/16 to 91/16", average 7".

Width, 1%6" to 12%2", average 11%2". Medium size. Shape-lanceolate. Pointacuminate. Medium thickness.

Colm'.-Top sidemedium green (22-L-7).

Under side-lighter green (2l-L4).

Margin-Finely crenate.

Petzold- Medium length; medium slenderness;

Glandsf-One to four in number, average 3. Alternate arrangement; medium size. Shape-reniform. Colorgreen in spring, red in fall. Position-base of leaf blade and petiole. Stipules-on new growth, dropping off early. Leaf twigs-normally medium brown, current season's growth light red on topI green on under side, as

shown. Flower buds: Large size. Length-medium to large. Shape-obtuse. Free; pubescent.

Flowers: Date of first bloom-March 4, 1952. Date of full bloom-March 14, 1952. Earliness compared with others-midseason. Sizelarge. Co1or-pink.

Fruit: Firm ripe-June 20, 1952.

June 25, 1952.

Siga-Uniform; medium. Diameter axialaverage 21/2". Diameter transverse in suture plane-average 21H".

Form-Uniform; symmetrical; globose; few

slightly oblate.

sutura-Distinct; shallow, extending from base to beyond but discontinuous at apex, slight depression beyond pistil point.

Ventral swirled-Strongly rounded; lips equal on both sides.

Cavity-Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane; suture showing on one side. Breadth-5%," to V8", average Color- Greenish Yellow (21-L-7). shading to red occasionally.

Base.-Truncate.

Apen-Depressed. Pistil point-none.

Skin: Medium thickness; medium toughness.

Flavorneutral to slightly astringent. Tendency to crackslight in dry season. Downnone. Color-Yellow (10-L-5) under color, overlaid almost entirely with mahogany red (4-K-11, shading to 5-L-6, shading to 7-L-6).

Soft ripe- 3 Flesh:

Color.-Yel1ow (l0-L-4), shading somewhat toward orange (lO-L-S).

Surface of pit cavity.-Yellow.

Amygdalin.-Moderate.

Juice-Moderate; watery.

Texture-Medium; firm; crisp.

Fibres-Abundant; medium coarseness; tender.

Eimer-@verily over entire surrace, .no tendency to ripen at ny one place.

Flavor.-Subacid; mild.

Amrum-Slightly distinct.

Eating quality-Good.

Stone: Cling when rm ripe, semi-free when soit ripe.

Fibres-Medium amount.

Size-Medium. Lengthl 1/4' M3". Thickness-%".

Form- Elliptical tg slightly ovoid, cuneate tQ ellivtal ,tfwsfrvi bese wats: reward @Per Base- Slightly oblique.

Humm-Oval to oblgng.

Sides-Mostly equal, few slightly unequal.

ggq'fareeularly furrowed from apex toward ventral 51de' pitted tward has@ Breadth- Ventral edge- Thin to medium thickness from base to beyond center, without wings, Dorsal edge-Deeply grooved throughout; continuous; thick; shallow, narrow grooves; ridges interrupted. Color.-Brownish yellow (10-H-7). Tendency to split-None. Use: Market; dessert; local; long distance shipment. Kpg Quality: Gogd. Shipping duality: Good.

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

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

Knew and distinct variety of nectarine tree, as described and Aillustrated, characterized-in comparison tothe John Rivers variety of nectatine-by semi-freestone fruit having a ripening period approximately ten days earlier than am einem@ warme: by mit having mgmy @19a-fed #te meer hens www @veran @o a W919i' xtlt Wm? Bhoga'ny md5 and 357,311.3 niet .is relatively lesse size, round and having xellow flesh Wiese texture is medium. firm, and 9m@ lig references sited.

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