a mere line. Color-golden yellow, a little clouded. Bloom-white and abundant. Flesh-yellow, sugary, rich, sometimes a little dry, separates freely from the stone. Stem-about one inch long, set in a small round cavity. Ripens at the north early in August, at the south about middle of June, where it is said to become quite juicy and to ripen gradually, thus forming one of the most valuable varieties. At the north its hardiness and productiveness, together with its rich sugary character and fine show, make it indispensable in the market orchard.

Tree-A healthy grower, with short-jointed, smooth branches, glossy leaves, and forming a large spreading head.

THE PEACH-ITS PROPAGATION, CULTIVATION, VARIETIES, ETC.

BY ISAAC PULLEN, HIGHTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

This delicious fruit justly claims a large share of attention, not only among those who are greatly benefited by its cultivation, but by those who have only a small plot of ground to devote to fruit. The ease with which it is raised, its nerous return for the slightest attention, and its unequalled flavor, render it one of the most desirable fruits for the orchard or garden. It is proposed in this paper to state briefly a few facts, gathered from a long experience, as to its propagation, cultivation, varieties, &c.

PROPAGATION.

In the selection of seed it is desirable to procure it from localities where diseases have not made their appearance. For a number of years the best seed a market was procured from Accomac, Virginia, and other counties on the Peninsula, where almost all the trees were seedlings. In the preparation of the seed for planting, the usual custom with nurserymen is, in the month of October, to clear a space of ground, excavate to the depth of three inches, fill this excavation with the stones, and cover over with earth about two inches in depth. As a protection against too severe freezing in the winter, some boughs, or stalks, or straw may be thrown over the whole. In the spring, as early as the stones begin to open with the swelling kernel, the bed may be opened and the kernels Carefully gathered and planted, in rows four and a half feet apart, and at a distance of about four inches from each other. The stones that have not pened may be cracked with a hammer, and the kernels planted in the same

manner.

Plough and cultivate the young seedlings until they are of proper size for budding, which will be about the 10th of August or earlier, according to Latitude. Buds are generally chosen from thrifty orchard trees of three or four years' growth, as being better matured than those taken from one-year-old trees in the nursery rows. The operation of budding is simple; an expert hand setting many as two thousand in a single day. The bud is cut about one inch in ngth, the eye being in the middle. The bark will very readily cleave from the crood, and, in all cases where the bark of the budding limb is free, the plan of budding without the wood is preferable. A slit, corresponding in length with the bud, is made in the seedling, as near the ground as possible, and the

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LIST OF VARIETIES FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION, GIVEN IN THEIR ORDER OF

These varieties will afford a succession of fruit from the beginning to the end of the peach season. I attach descriptions of each:

HALE'S EARLY.-A new and valuable early peach; vigorous and healthy tree, and an abundant bearer. Fruit-medium size, nearly round. Skinmottled red, with dark red cheek. Flesh-white, melting, juicy, and highflavored. Glands-globose. Flowers-large. Season-last of July, and first of August. Freestone.

TROTH'S EARLY RED.-Fruit-small, round, uniformly red. Flesh-white, slightly red at the stone; not of first quality as to flavor, but one of the most valuable market varieties on account of its early ripening. Glands-globose. Flowers-small. Season-1st to 15th August. Freestone.

LARGE EARLY YORK.-This truly excellent peach is known by many names, such as Livingston's New York Rareripe, Honest John, New York Rareripe, Haine's Early Red, Walter's Early, &c. Fruit-above medium, roundish. Skin-whitish, dotted with red, with beautiful red cheek. Flesh-white, very jniey, and of excellent flavor. Season-middle of August. Flowers—small. Glands-globose. Freestone.

CRAWFORD'S EARLY.-A very popular, yellow-fleshed variety. Fruit-large, generally oblong, but variable as to shape. Skin-yellow, with red cheek. Flesh-yellow and juicy, and slightly acid. Flowers-small. Glands-globose. Season-last of August. Freestone.

YELLOW RARERIPE.-A variety ripening at nearly the same time as the Crawford's Early, and much esteemed on account of flavor. Fruit—large, roundish, the suture extending half-way round. Skin-orange-yellow, with rich red cheek. Flesh-yellow, but red at the stone. Flowers-small. Globose glands. Freestone.

OLDMIXON FREESTONE.-An old and highly esteemed variety. Fruitlarge, roundish, a little swollen on one side. The skin is pale, dotted profusely, with a beautiful cheek. Flesh-white, tender, and very rich. Flowers-small. Glands-globose. Season-first of September.

REEVES' FAVORITE.-Fruit-large, roundish, slightly oval. Skin-yellow, rich red cheek. Flesh-deep yellow, red at the stone, rich and melting. Glands-globose. Flowers-small. Season-10th to 15th September.

STUMP THE WORLD.-Fruit-large, slightly oblong. Flesh-white, red cheek, of excellent flavor. Ripens about the middle of the peach season, just following the Oldmixon Freestone, which it closely resembles in size, appearance and flavor. Flowers-small. Glands-globose.

CRAWFORD'S LATE.-This has no rival as a yellow-fleshed variety. Its large size, beautiful appearance, and unapproachable flavor, make it a deserved favorite among growers. Fruit-large, roundish, with shallow suture. Skin-yellow, with dark red cheek. Flesh-deep yellow, and red at the stone. Glandsglobose. Flowers-small. Ripens from middle to last of September.

WARD'S LATE FREE.-A fine, white-fleshed, productive variety. Skinwhite, with crimson cheek. Flesh-white, slightly red at the stone, excellent flavor. Flowers-small. Glands-reniform. Season-last of September. Free

stone.

SMOCK.-A well known late variety, very productive, and valuable as a market peach, on account of its bearing transportation. It is also a favorite for