USPP869P - Peach tree - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1949. G. MERRILL Plmt Pat. 869

PEACH TREE Filed Aug. 2a, 1948 vwTNEss INVENTOR glow/{W Patented Aug. 30, 1949 UNITED. STATES Plant Pat. 869

ATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree bearing semi-ireestone fruit; the advantages of the variety, with respect to the fruit, being extremely early ripening as compared to other s'emi-ireestone varieties, high color, excellent eating quality, and adaptability to reasonably long distance shipping.

The present variety of'peaoh tree bears greater resemblance to the Arp than any other variety, but the fruit of the present variety ripens sub-- stantially in season with the Redbird variety.

Additionally, as compared to'the Arp, the present variety of peach tree bears fruit which is firmer of flesh,with the-flesh semi-free, while the Arp is a cling. Further, the fruit is oval and more pointed thanthe Arp.

This new and distinctvariety of semi-freestone peach tree was originated by applicant on his ranch at Red Bluff, California, in the following manner:

Seeds were gathered from a J. H. Hale peach tree growing next to a block of many varieties of peaches, and such seeds were planted. From the resultant seedlings one was selected and planted in a test orchard, being identified in applicants records as the C1-8. It is believed by applicant that the J. H. Hale was crossed with the Arp in producing the 01-8, as it and its progeny resemble the Arp. Pollinateol seeds of the (31-8 variety were then planted, and of the resultant seedlings one was selected as of special merit, being the herein claimed variety, and known in applicants records as the (34-3.

The variety, since its origination, has been successfully asexually propagated; having been budded in May 1943, and planted in January, 1944. Subsequently, asexually reproduced peach trees of the variety have come into bearing and are found to retain in full the novel characteristics of the original tree of the variety and the fruit thereof.

In the original drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fruit of the variety as attached to a twig with leaves.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken axially oi the fruit, with the stone exposed.

Referring now in detail to the new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following is a detailed description, in outline, of such tree and its fruit:

Tree

Medium size; medium vigorous; medium upright; medium dense; vase formed; very productive; regular bearer.

1 Claim. (CI. 4762) 2 Trunk: Medium stocky; medium shaggy. Branches: Medium stocky; medium shaggy; reddish brown. I

Lenticels.-Numerous; medium size. Leaves: Length, 5 /4 to 5 inches; width 1 A to 1 inches; mediumsizefoval lanceolate, acuminate; medium thickness; medium green; smooth.

Margin-Finely crenate; glandular at base on most leaves. I Pet2'0le.Medium length; inedium'thickness. Glandsre-Average number, 2 to 5; on base of leaf, and upperpetiol'e} *medium'size, alternate, few opposite; reniforln; red color. Stipules-on very new growth, dropping off early. Flower buds: Medium size-(short; obtuse; free;

very pubescent. Flowers: Date first and full bloom-February 26 and March 10, 1948. Mldseason; medium size; pink.

Fruit Maturity when described, eating ripe. The date of first picking is in the period of June 10th to 15th, and the date of last picking is in the period of June 18th to 23rd; both dependent upon climatic conditions.

Size: Uniform, medium size. Diameter, axial,

2 transverse in suture plane, 2%. Transverse, cheek to cheek, 2

Form: Uniform; oval; slightly unsymmetrical;

not compressed.

Suture: Shallow, distinct; has slight depression toward pistil point.

Ventral surface: Very slightly lipped toward apex on one side.

Lips: Equal to slightly unequal.

Cavity: Elongated in suture plane with suture showing on both sides. Depth, inch; breadth, inch. Markingsslightly spotted with red when fully ripe.

Base: Rounded.

Apex: Short; pistil point apical.

Skin: Medium thickness; medium toughness not astringent or bitter; medium free from the flesh. Tendency to cracknone. Colorye1- low under-color with red over-color with red splashes.

Down.Moderate, short;

rubbed.

Flesh:

C'oZor.Light yellow, slightly red mottled on sunny side throughout.

rolls up when 3 Surface of pit cavity.-Yellow, with slight green tinge. Amygdalz'n.--Scant. Juice.Abundant, rich. Texture-Medium soft, finely grained, meltmg. Fibres-Few, fine. Ripens.n apex first. Flavor.Mi1dly subacid. Aroma.-Distinct. Eating quality.-Good. Stone: Semi-free, adheres to flesh over the lower halves of the sutures. Fibres-Medium. Free-Retains short, fiber-likethreads and some flesh along ridges. .S'z'ee.--Medium. Length.-1% inches. Breadth-M; inch. Thickness.% inch. Form.--Obovate. Bum-Straight. Hz'lum.0val. Base-Straight. Ape:v.Short, acuminate. Sides.--Equal, slightly flattened. Surface.-Irregularly furrowed toward apex, ridged throughout. Pitted from base to above center. Ridges-Rounded toward apex. Pita-Circular. Ventral edge.Thick, wing toward base. Dorsal edge.-Narrow with deep narrow groove to above center. Ridges-On either side, continuous or interrupted. Tendency to split.--Only very slight. Colon-Light tan.

The present variety of peach tree, described above, bears a substantial resemblance to the Arp, except that the tree is slightly less vigorous than the Arp. The fruit of the present variety of peach tree bears substantial resemblance to the fruit of the Arp, but is firmer, semi-free from the flesh, and more pointed.

The fruit is especially adaptable for dessert and culinary use; the market being local and middle distant. The fruit is capable of withstanding reasonably long distance shipping; the keeping quality being medium.

The variety has medium resistance to insects and diseases.

The advantages of the present variety are its extremely early ripening period for a semi-freestone peach, being in season with the Redbird; its high colorbeing yellow with red over-color and splashed in red--and its adaptability to reasonably long distance shipping as aforesaid. To applicants knowledge the present variety is the earliest semi-freestone known.

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

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A new and distinct variety of peach tree characterized by its similarity to the Arp but having an extremely early ripening period which is substantially in season with the Redbird; the fruit being of high color, yellow with red over-color and splashed in red, semi-freestone and, as compared to the Arp, firmer but more free from the flesh, and more pointed in shape.

GRANT MERRILL.

No references cited.

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