This inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree which bears commercially desirable fruit quite similar to the clingstone Merrill Gem Peach (United States Plant Patent No. 868), especially as to size and the coloring of the skin and flesh; but advantageously differs therefrom in that here the fruit is a freestone with meaty to melting flesh when soft ripe for dessert and culinary use, although being a clingstone with firm flesh when hard ripe for shipping.
Another distinguishing characteristic of the present variety of peach treeis that the fruit ripens a few days in advance of the Merrill Gem Peach, which is desirable marketwise.
a further characteristic of the present variety of peach treeis that there is a tendency of the fruit to set more heavily than the Merrill Gem Peach, whichwhile possibly requiring more thinningassures of substantial average seasonal production.
the parent peach tree of the varietywas originated by me, in my experimental orchard located near Red Bluff, California, as a first generation seedling of a cross between the Burbank July Elberta Peach (United States Plant Patent No. 15) and the Merrill Gem Peach (United States Plant Patent No. 868).
Seeds from this crosswere planted and among the resulting seedlings, which were carefully observed, one was a very good grower and evidenced desirable characteristics with respect to the fruit, and such seedling which is the present variety-was therefore selected for propagation.
Fig. 1is a side elevation of one of the fruit, together with twigs and leaves.
Fig. 2is a sectional elevation of one of the fruit, with the stone exposed.
TreeMedium size; medium vigorous; form and density controlled by pruning; productive; regular bearer.
the suture next to the stem endmay become a deep groove nearly to the pit on many fruit.
Cavity.Roundedabrupt; slightly elongated in suture plane; average depth% to average breadth /2 to A1; markingsyellow, with red lush dependent on extent of exposure to sunlight.
Skim-Medium thicknessmedium tender; free when soft ripe.
