USPP479P - Peach tree - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jul 22, 1941 UNITED srA'rss Plant Pat. 479

PEACE TREE Frederick Wenzl Hof Mann, Blacksburg, Va.

No Drawing. Application September 17, 1940,

Serial No. 357,294

1 Claim.

The present invention relates toa new and distinct variety of peach tree, the result of a definite effort over a number of years to obtain bycrossing and selection a peach fruit without pubescence but having other desirable characteristics which are important from a commercial standpoint.

More specifically, this new peach is of the varietal type of the Elberta, Hale or related group originating from a cross of Greensboro seedling and Elberta, recrossing a fuzzless progeny on Hale and then selection from progeny of this cross. The primary feature of the new variety resides in theplum-like, waxy, and smooth or non-fuzz surface of the fruit skin.

This new variety is clearly distinguishable from other peachvarieties of this type, including the variety Candoka, by the fact that the skin of the fruit is microscopically, as well as macroscopically, free of any bristle, fuzz or pubescence, thus giving the fruit a smooth, plum-like, fuzzless, waxy skin coat long before and at maturity.

Another point of distinction of importance is found in the foliar glands of the peach tree. Although there may be some variation in the character, number and shape ofthese glands. the

usual number of these glands comprises three op posite pairs, with the first pair reniform, the secnd between reniform to globose, and the third globose, and in those cases of variation in the number from these three pairs with moreglands,

-; those glands very low on the petiole are glands of reniform type, and those farther up on the foliage. toward the leaf tip are smaller globose. In addition to this, the new peach variety is an improvement over the Elberta in winter hardiness, in the greater hardiness of the fruit buds to winter kill, in the greater hardiness of the blossoms to spring freezes, as well as frosts, in the high resistance to brown rotting of the fruit, and a type of flesh characteristic that allows for less dan er from break down in the steps from harvesting to final marketing.

Because of its very high degree of resistance to brown rot and other break-down decay fungi,

it is possible to delay picking for a greater period, allowing for a higher degree of maturity, quality, and richness, as well as delectability of flavor. Again, this resistance, together with the firm type of flesh, adapts this new variety as a prime fruit for dessert either in a fresh or preserved state. Because of the decline in dried peach consumption, due to the presence of fuzz, this invention offers promise of greater and (cur-e2) Asexual reproduction of this variety shows that the cha tablished.

In view of the similarity to the Elberta and "Hale varieties, and the intangible nature of the majority of the novel characteristics, illustration of the peach is unnecessary, particularly in view of the following detail description thereof, wherein color terminology conforms with general dictionary standards. It may be stated that the development work" leading to this origination was carried out in .the States of Nebraska and Virginia, and'the observations herein made relate to those'sp'ecimens grown byme at Blacksburg, Virginia.

racteristics herein set forth are es- Tree: Large to medium. Vigorous. Upright to spreading. Open to dense. Vase formed. Hardy. Very productive to productive. Regular bearer.

Trunk.-Stocky. Medium to shaggy, more shaggy with age. Branches.-Stocky. Smooth, but more shaggy with age. Brown-Gray for older branches, Green-Gray Brown for younger. Dull. Lentic'eZs-medium in number. Large to medium in size.

. Leaves.-I..ength6 to '7 inches. Width 2 to 2 inches. Large. Ovate. 'Lanceolate to spatulate. Abruptly and acutely pointed. Thick. Medium to Dark Green. Rugose. Margin-glandular. Finely serrate. Petiole-long to medium. Thick. Glands-average number-four to six arranged in pairs. Opposite but vary some. First two large; second two medium; last two small. First two reniform, rest globose. Red and Green, to Brown when 7 older. Position-from lower leaf to and on petiole. Stipules-none. Flower-buds.-Hardy. Large to medium.

Medium to short. Obtuse. Plump. Appressed. Pubescent. Flowers-Dates first and full bloom-April 21-April 25., Late compared with other varieties. Medium to small. Pink to Salmon (size and color much like Elberta). Fruit: August 26 to September 1, but can be left as much as ten days for full tree ripening without impairing keeping or shipping 65 properties.

"Skins-Thick. Tenacious Size-Uniform to slightly variable. Large, some medium (average wih size 01. Elberta and Hale). Diameter axial-2% to 3 inches. Transverse in sutureplane- 2% to 3 inches. At right angles to suture plane-2% to 3% inches.

Form-Uniform to slightly variable. Symmetrical to slightly unsymmetrical. Globose to oblate. (Like Elberta-Hale.)

Suture,-Distincii line. (Like Elberta- Hale.)

Ventral surface. Rounded slightly to strongly lipped toward base, apex throughout both sides. Lips-'-equa1 to unequal. (Like Elberta-Hale.) Cavity.-Rounded to abrupt, somewhat circular. Elongated in suture plane with suture showing on both sides. Depth- $4; to inch. Breadth-$4; to inch. Base-Rounded to truncate. Apes-Short; rounded to truncate. Pistil point-apical. (Like Eiberta-Hale.)

inch. Stout. Giabrous. Adherence to stone-strong. (Like Elberta-Hale.)

to flesh. Tendency to crack-none in wet or dry seasons. Cl0rYellow Gold. Absolutely devoid of any skin fuzz, down, or pubescence whatever. A smooth glabrous tuzzless or non-fuzz Elberta-Hale peach type. Skin is sweet and edible. flesh.-COZorYellow Honey Gold. No red at pit. margin, clear yellow throughout. Surface of pit cavity-Yeliow, throughout. Amygdalin abundant to moderate. Juice-moderate, rich. Texture-firm; fine: meaty. Fibres-fine. Ripens-rrven to some uneven; earliest at apex alongboth lips. Flavor-slightly subacid: mild: delicate; vinous. Aroma-pronounced. Eating qualit1l8ood to best.

toward base. Base- Straight. Hilurm-broad to moderacuminate.

ate. Apex-acute to Sides-Equal to slightly unequal; regularly ridged throughout:

Parts from flesh smoothly.

turrowed throughout; pitted throughout. Ridges-Jag ed. Seeds-Elongated. Ventral edge-Thick with throughiout. Dorsal edge-Full groove. Ridges on either side-mostly continuous. Color of stone-Brown. Tendency to split-Only son. a Use: Market, local, dessert, culinary, canning. Keeping quality: Good. Resistance to:

Insects-Same as wing toward base slight in wet seawun Elberta and Hale.

'Diseasea-Good-wery high resistance to a brown rot and storage break-down. Shipping quality: Good.

I claim: A-new and distinct variety of peach tree chafacterized as to novelty by the non-fuzz. plumlike, waxy and smoothskin of its fruit. the

firmness of the flesh of such fruit. the winter hardiness oi the tree, hardiness oi bud and blossom to spring freezes and frosts, the Iormand number or glands. and resistance to brown rot.

substantially as described.

memoir wmrzn nor t to elliptical; cuneate with moderately deep