The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-15
Classification of varieties of Penche
By Prof. R. H. Price. College Station
Texas

By Prof. R. H. Price, College Station,
Texas.
That there are well defined types of
peaches which behave differently In the
same latitude is well known, and some
knowledge of the classification of varieties
as affected by climate is necessary, not
only to the practical grower, but to the
scientist as Well The peach has been so
modified by climatic influences and cross
ing of the different types that 1t is diff
cult to devise a system which will in
clude all varieties and not be subject TO
some criticism. But If a system can be
devised by which one can distinguish a
large number of varieties and predict
within reasonable degree of certainty
which types are likely to succeed in a
given section, a long step Is made in the
direction of most valuable knowledge.
The one based upon the presence or alb
sence of glands on the foliage is of con-
siderable value in distinguishing varle-
ties In the nursery before they fruit
But we have varieties which
bear different glands upon the
same tree. Seedlings from a given va
riety may bear entirely different glands,
and vary also in the adherence or nom
adherence of flesh to the pit, and this is
true when the variety has been fortified
by its own pollen.
There are types coming from China.
Japan and Java, and others which are
now being built UP in the southern part
of the United States, which the above
points do not distinguish with clearness.
We have seedlings from the Honey peach
which came from China in 1854; seed
lings from the Peen-to, which came from
Australia in 1869; then again there are
seedlings Of the Spanish or Indian type;
all of which are adapted to more south
ern ATTITUDES than those of the Persian
strain, which constitute the bulk Of
Northern orchards These two types are
proving valuable along the Gulf, where
the peach has not been grown as success
fully as 1t has been farther North II is
important now that the botanical char
acteristic of each type (Which we shall
call race for a better term) should be re-
corded with clearneSS, and the climate in
which each grows best be pointed out as
clearly as possible.
During the past four years the peach
has been one of my special studies. Our
experimental orchards contain 100 vari-
cites. Large experimental orchards have
been studied near the Gulf and over a
thousand miles farther North. From
what I have thus learned 1t seems to me
that what is known as the "Onderdonk
classification is the best. An outline of
this scheme appears in the report of the
United States department of agriculture
for 1887 page 64S. Some of the distinc-
tons made in this classification cannot be
noticed with decisive clearness a few hun
bred miles farther North, but in the semi
tropical climate of the coast region the
characters are striking. This at once in
dicates that the different races originated
in different degrees of latitude and at diff
ierent attitudes. These facts are further
substantiated by botanical characteristics
4 ixvi1 Cd In
the United States into five races: %
Peen-to, (2) South China, 90 Spanish or
Indian, "a North China, and 90 Persian
BY race Is mean variety SO fixed as 10
reproduce itself with considerable certain
ty from seed"
Seed Characteristics-The shape, size
and corrugations of the seed are so well
marked In the more distinct representatives
Of the different races that after a little
practice one can distinguish them apart by
this means alone. The seed of the Peen-t to
is nearly round, much compressed at the
ends corrugations small and somewha (
rounded. The seed of the Honey is oval
with apex slightly recurved corrugations
slight prominent hange on the side Seed
of Spanish Is large, oval nearly fiat, apex
prominent. corrugations very long and
wide at the base they run more longitude
nally than IN any other race flange on one
side often prominent. Seed of North Chi
ma is nearly round very thick, corruga-
lions rather slight, and irregular, apex
rather prominent Seed of the Persian is
somewhat round, more fiattened at the base
than any other, corrugatious prominent to-
ward apex but very seldom extend to base,
apex more or less prominent. A resem-
blance can be seen between the Spanish
and the Persian. and as there is no definite
history in regard TO the origin of the Span
ish IL is proba bic that the types had the
same origin. The Indian type of the Span
tsh can only be distinguished from the Per-
sian. in many cases, by the heavy down
on the fruit, which Is characteristic of the
| Spanish.
The Different Races as Affected nv