Flora, seu, De florum cultura, or, A complete florilege, furnished with all requisites belonging to a florist by John Rea, Gent.

CHAP. VIII. Nucipersica.

THe Nectorine is so like unto the Peach in the Tree, that it cannot be distinguished but by the Fruit, all Peaches being Downy on the outside, and most of them bigger than Nectorines, which are smooth and round, and, before they begin to ripen, much like unto a green Wallnut, but after of several co∣lours, some of them of a more delicate taste, and all of a firmer substance than the Peaches, the most common is

The green Nectorine, of which there is a bigger and a lesser, the later not worth the Planting, the other is bigger, always green on the outside, of a firm and something hard substance, and raw taste, unless fully ripe.

The yellow Nectorine is also of two sorts, one small and comes clean from the stone, the other bigger but not so good, both on the out∣side are of a Gold yellow colour.

The white Nectorine is as big as the greater yellow, white on the outside, and a little red towards the Sun, no better tasted than the yellow.

The Paper-white Nectorine is something lesser than the former, but more beautiful, and better tasted.

The painted Nectorine is as big as the first white, full of red spots, and of a good taste.

The red Roman Nectorine hath the fruit fairer and better tasted than most of the former, of a fine red colour on the outside, and near the stone, of a Musky sweet scent, and delicate taste.

The red Nectorine that comes clean from the stone, is an excel∣lent fruit, like the former, but, for that it leaves the stone, more esteemed.

The Murrey Nectorine is bigger and rounder than the last, of a yel∣lowish colour, shadowed over with dark murry purple, firm, and some∣thing hard, not so good as the Roman.

The Tawny Nectorine is as red as the last on the outside, firm, and yellow within, an excellent fruit.

The Russet Nectorine is a good fruit, of a brown or russet-colour on the outside, and red at the stone.

The Orbine Nectorine is something like the last, but redder on the outer side, and well tasted.

The best of these Nectorines are the red Roman, the Murry, and the Tawny Nectorines.

The best sorts of Peaches, Nectorines, and other fine Fruits, Flower∣ing Shrubs, and Winter Greens, may be had of Mr. George Rickets of Hogsden before remembered.

Peaches and Nectorines are raised by Inoculating the Buds in good Plum-stocks, set in rich ground, that they may abound in Sap; for if the Stocks be weak and dry, the Buds will not hold. The best Necto∣rines are to be Inoculated into an Apricock, and so are the best Pea∣ches, especially the Early kinds, for which purpose you must provide Apricocks of the common kind, budded as low as you can, that after one year they may be Inoculated again a foot higher with the best Peaches, and especially Nectorines. These fruits are also raised from Stones set in October, but many kinds are apt to degenerate; besides, the Trees are not only impatient of removal, but of less continuance, and worse bearers than those budded on the forementioned Stocks.

Peaches and Nectorines are more tender than Apricocks, and the fruits require more Sun to ripen them, therefore they must be Plan∣ted on the hottest wall, and that which hath the Sun longest upon it: they must not be pruned in Winter, the wood being apt then to die after the knife; the best time is when they begin to flower, and then cut away what is dead, and such Lances as are too long, behind a Leaf-bud, and nail them close to the wall.

If you let the middle stem grow upright, the side-branches will not prosper, but decay for want of nourishment, the top drawing away the Sap; to prevent which, whilst the Tree is young, bow down the head toward the Sun, and so nail it to the wall, which will stop the Sap, and cause the Tree to put forth side-branches, and to bear plen∣tifully. Such Trees as are old and decaying, cut them down in March as low as you can with convenience, leaving some branches to draw the Sap, and cover the wound with Clay: the Stock will put forth new Lances, and in a year or two come to bear fruit again.