USPP2193P - Nectarine tree - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 20, 1962 w ANDERSQN Plant Pat. 2,193

NECTARINE TREE Filed Jan. 22, 1962 WITNESS INVENTOR Fl'edel'z'c WADdZ'JOl I WW6? MM ATTY.

United States Patent 2,193 NECTARHIE TREE Frederic W. Anderson, Merced, Califi, assignor to L. E. Cooke Co., San Gabriel, Calif., a corporation Filed Jan. 22, 1962, Ser. No. 167,987 1 Claim. (Cl. 47-=-62) This invention is directed to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree principally characterized by its small or dwarf size, and the bearing, by such tree, of substantially normal size, yellow fleshed, freestone fruit of acceptable quality; the variety being well adapted for growing both as an ornamental tree, and for the production of fruit for home and local market use. While dwarf peach trees, essentially ornamental but with fairly edible fruit, are known, the instant variety is believed to be the first dwarf nectarine tree.

The variety was originated by me, in my experimental orchard located near Merced, California, during a long term plant breeding project--spanning approximately ten years-which object was the origination of fruit trees, including nectarine trees, of such small or dwarf size that-in addition to ornamental va-luepruning, thinning, and harvesting operations could be conducted without the use of ladders and by a person standing on the ground adjacent the tree.

The variety was originated by me, under close and careful observation, in the following manner:

The Flory dwarf peach (unpatented) was crossed with the late Le Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 1,035), and the resultant seed all produced normal size peach trees which bore white fleshed peach fruit. In turn, seed from such trees produced about seventy-five percent normal size trees and twenty-five percent dwarf trees; some being peach trees and others nectarine trees. of these last mentioned peach and nectarine trees, both those of normal and dwarf size, approximately threefourths bore white fleshed fruit while the remaining onefourth bore yellow fleshed fruit. The present variety is a selection of one of such dwarf nectarine trees whose fruit was yellow fleshed; the variety having been selected by me-for subsequent reproduction-upon the recognition of its commercial potential as a combination ornamental and fruit tree.

Subsequently, asexual reproduction of the variety was accomplished by me, in my experimental orchard located as aforesaid, by grafting on older nectarine trees; such reproductions having run true in all respects.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation showing one of the fruits, together with twigs and leaves.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the fruits, with the stone remaining in place.

Referring now specifically to this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following is adetailed pomological description thereof in outline; all major color plate identifications being by reference to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color, except where common terms of color definition are employed.

Tree:

Size.Dwarf. Average height-G-S feet. Vig0r.Medium. F0rm.Spreading. Density-Dense to open. Production-Productive. Trunk: Size-stocky. Branches:

Size.Stocky. Texture.Shaggy.

Plant Pat. 2,193 Patented Nov. 20, 1962 Average Size.Large. Fertility.-Self-fertile, with red anthers. Fruit:

Maturity when described-Eating ripeAugust 22,

Date =0 first picking-August 18, 1961. Date 0 last picking.-August 25, 1961. Size.-Uniform; large. Average diameter axial- 1y2 /z". Average transversely in suture plane2 A Form-Uniform; symmetrical; globose to slightly oblate. Suture-Distinct; extends from base to apex. Cavity.--Circular. Average depthli Average breadth%". Markingsred mottling. Base.--Rounded. Apex.-Depressed. Skin:

Thickness.Medium. Texture-Medium. Tendency to crack.--None noted. D0wn.Wanting. Colon-Yellow (lO-L-7 to 10-K-8), partially mottled orange-red (3-F-12 to 3-1-12). Flesh:

Texture-Soft. Ripens.Even. Flav0r.-Subacid to mild. Eating quality.Fair to good. C0l0r.Yell0W (9-L-6 to 9-K-8), with red (5- 4) near stone. Surface of pit cavityred. Stone:

Type-Free. Size-Medium. Average length-1 A".

breadth-1. Average thickness- Tendency to split.-Slight. C0l0r.Brown (8-L-12). Use: Home, and local market. Keeping quality: Medium. Shipping quality: Medium to poor; i.e. not firm enough for commercial long distance shipment.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions under which this variety may be grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in the Central Valley of California.

The following is claimed:

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, as illustrated and described, characterized by its dwarf size, averaging six to eight feet in height; and further characterized by the productive bearing of large size, yellow fleshed freestone fruit having yellow skin partially mottled with orange red.

Average No references cited.

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