the present variety-of-nectarine treeis the result of an F-l cross between the clingstone Le Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 549) and the freestone Sun Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 974).
the varietywas originated by me in the course of an extensive and continuing plant breeding program conducted at my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Merced County, California; an important pun pose of such program being to seek and obtain better nectarine varieties having commercial market potential and particular harvest periods.
the ripening period of the fruit of the instant varietyis shortly after the Early Sun Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 1,420), but before the Sun Grand neotarine, and thus serves an intermediate market.
the fruit of the present variety of nectarineripens approximately ten days later than the Early Sun Grand nectarine, and-4n further comparison theretois slightly larger in size and firmer of flesh, but with somewhat less red exterior color; is of better eating quality; and has leaves with globose instead of reniform glands.
the fruit or the present varietyripens approximately one week earlier; is slightly larger in size but shorter axially; has somewhat less red exterior color; is not quite as firm of flesh, but of better eating quality; and has sweet instead of bitter kernels.
the present varietymay also be compared with the Star Grand nectar-ine (United States Plant Patent No. 1,327) by approximately the same ripening period and general similarity in fruit characteristics, but distinct in that here the winter chilling requirement is much lower.
This varietybore very heavy crops following warm winters, whereas the Star Grand nectarine lost many buds and bore comparatively light crops.
the present varietyalso differs in that the leaves have globose instead of reniform glands; flowers with large instead of small petals; and kernels which are sweet instead of bitter, the sweetness resembling that of an almond.
Fig. 1is an elevation showing two of the fruit, together with twigs and leaves.
Fig. 2is a sectional elevation of one of the fruit with the stone exposed.
GlandsAverage number-four; globose. Position-usually two on petiole and one or'two on blade.
V V gI Surfac.Regularlyturrowed near base; pitted from base to above center. 1 i I Ridges-Rounded. Pits.Elongated. Ventral edge.'Ihick. Dorsal edge.Full, with shallow & QOve Tendency t0 split-Slight. I C0l0r.Brown (ILA-12 Use: Market; local; long distance shipping. Keeping quality: Good. Shipping quality: Good.
the tree and its fruit herein describedmay vary in slight detail due to climatic and 'soil condition-sundeir which the variety may be grown.
