USPP1645P - Nectarine tree - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 24, 1957 w, D N Plant Pat. 1,645

NECTARINE TREE Filed Jan. 28, 1957 my. 32% 0d n Nfl w m V T m 4mm aw/ United States Patent The present invention relates to 'a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which bears large, highly colored, clingstone fruit.

This varietywhile generally resembling the Early Le Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 980), especially in relation to ripening period and favorable market qualities-4s improved, for commercial growing, in that it does not possess certain defects inherent in such Early Le Grand nectarine.

While the Early Le Grand nectarine has been very popular, both in domestic and export markets, production of fruit by the variety has been low following warm winters, as sometimes occur in the San Joaquin Valley of California, and wherein many nectarine orchards exist.

Further, humid weather during the ripening period has caused extensive skin cracking on the fruit of the Early Le Grand nectarine, and this-together with considerable split pitshas substantially reduced production of marketable fruit during some seasons.

To obtain a nectarine variety having substantially the same ripening period and the marketable fruit of the Early Le Grand nectarine, but without the noted defects, a large number of seedlings of various crosses were grown and fruited at my experimental orchard near Le Grand, Merced County, California; all under by direct control and observation. Of such seedlings one appeared to be of especial promise and it was selected for further testing, observation, and asexual reproduction; the selected variety being the one here claimed.

The present variety is an F-l cross between the Le Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 549) and the Star Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 1327). Subsequent to its origination and selection the variety was asexually reproduced by me through the medium of buds top-Worked on mature trees in my experimental orchard, as aforesaid, and these reproductions have fullly run true.

It was apparent that I had brought forwardin originating the instant varietya nectarine tree that generally paralleled the Early Le Grand nectarine in ripening period and other desirable characteristics; one that does not possess the objectionable defects thereof; and one which substantially differs in the following characteristics:

The present variety of nectarine has a lower chilling requirement, as is evident by the fact that after recent relatively warm winters in the San Joaquin Valley of California, full crops have been borne on both the parent tree and the trees which were top-worked to the variety.

Also, the variety has consistently produced more marketable fruit in each harvest season; there having been only half as many culls from all causes, very few growth cracks or split pits, and considerably more red exterior color on a smoother surface. I

Additionally, there are two qualitative differences which distinguish this variety from the Early Le Grand; to-wit, the flowers have petals which are of medium instead of large size, and the fruit has sweet instead of bitter kernels.

Plant Pat. 1,645 Patented Sept; 24, 957

In the drawings:

Fig. 1. is a perspective view of two of the fruit, together with twigsand leaves.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the fruit with the clingstone exposed; flesh being adherent to a major portion of said stone.

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 plate identifications being by reference ,to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color:

Tree:

Sizer-Medium.

Vig0r.Vigorous.

Growth.- Spreading.

Shape.-'-Vase formed.

Production.Productive.

Bearing.-Regular bearer.

Trunk: Size-medium. r Branches: Sizemedium. Leaves:

Size.--Large.

width, 1%.

Margin.Glandular; crenate.

Peti0le.-Medium length.

Glands-Average numberfive. Opposite; reniform. Position-usually two on petiole and two to four on blade.

Col0r.--Top sidemedium green (22L-8). Un-

der side-lighter green (224-6).

Flower Buds:

Size-Medium. Length-Medium.

Flowers:

Date of first and fall bl00m.About with the Le Grand nectarine, and a few days before the Elberta peach.

Size.Medium.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe.

Date of first picking.luly 11, 1956.

Date of last picking.luly 21, 1956.

Size.Large, uniform. Average diameter axially,

2%. Average transversely in suture plane, 2%".

F0rm.Uniform; globose.

Suture.-Rather conspicious; distinct; deep; extends from base to apex.

Vantral sarface.Rounded strongly; lips equal.

Cavity.Average depth, /8". Average breadth,

Base.-Rounded.

Apex-Short; rounded.

Average length, 6 /2". Average .Skin.

Thickness-Medium.

Texture.Medium.

Tendency to crack.--Very slight.

Down.-Wanting.

Colon-Light yellow under-color (10L-2), shading to a darker yellow (10-L-6), overspread with an orange-cast red (2-1-12), shading to a darker ruby red (6-L-6). In some specimens the red color only partially overspreads the yellow, and the latter shows to a substantial extent, while in other specimens the red color substantially entirely overspreads the fruit, and here such color is mainly of the orange-cast red.

Flesh:

Amygdalin.-Scant.

Textara-Firm; meaty.

Ripens.Even.

Flavor.Sub-acid.

glromar- Distincti v Eating quality.-Good to best.

Keeping quality: Good.

Col0r.-A substantially jonquil yellow 94 5 Stone:

4 T ype.-- Cling.

breadth, il /55" Farmt- -Oval; Apex.- R'ounded. Sides-Equal. r

throughout.

V Pits.--Elongated.

Ventral edge.Thick. Dorsal edge.-Full, with deep Ridges.Continuous.

shading to a corn yellow (10-1-5).

narrow groove.

Tendency t0 split.-Very slightr j Colon-Brown (4-H-10). Use: Market; local and longdis'ta nae hipping.

Surfaca-Irregular'ly furrowed near base; pitted Shipping quality: Good.

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

The following is claimed:

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, as illustrated and described, which bears'large size, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit wherein the skin is a yellow ground color overspread with red; the fruit having general resemblance to the Early Le Grand nectarine and substantially the same harvest period, but is characterizedin comparison-by a lower chilling requirement, therregular bearing of larger crops with less culls due to growth cracks and split pits, 7

more exterior red color on a smoother surface of the fruit, kernels which are sweet in flavor, and flowers having medium size petals.

No references cited.

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