CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA • BERKELEY
 Pfalfr CUtd 7H*6el are ready
for commercial trial because of their apparent
superior characters in their season of maturity

/he nectarine, a smooth-skinned form These desirable characteristics were

of the peach, can be modified by breeding sought firm, yellow, freestone flesh high
: ;

and compare favorably with

selection to color at shipping maturity; large size;
the peach in all characteristics. The pecul- and good quality.
iar qualities of the nectarine, combined Philp and Mabel nectarines were se-
with large size and freedom from fuzz lected from among progenies of several
should attract consumers and processors dozen crosses designed to yield fruits hav-
alike. Recently a start has been made in ing most of those desirable characteris-
improvement of nectarines by private tics.It has not yet been possible to
plant breeders and by the Division of produce nectarines that compare favor-
Pomology, University of California. ably in all characteristics with the best
The present superior nectarine vari- peach varieties, especially in regard to
eties available for California growers, size of fruit, due to the relatively short
and best adapted to commercial use, in time the nectarine has been subjected to
order of maturity are: John Rivers, Early improvement through breeding.
Rivers, Cardinal, Gower, Quetta, and The new varieties are sister seedlings
Stanwick. Other desirable varieties grown of a cross made in 1937 between Hum-
are LeGrand and Sequoia, both patented, boldt and a seedling of Burbank's Gold.
and Jordana, privately owned, but these Humboldt is a medium-sized, yellow-
are not everywhere available, although fleshed nectarine with considerable ex-
they are definitely superior to the other ternal color, moderately firm flesh, and
varieties, for various reasons— mainly good quality; it was used for the female
size and appearance. parent. The male parent is a large-fruited
The Division of Pomology started a selection with yellow flesh and good qual-
breeding program with the nectarine in ity. was hoped that a cross between
It
1921. The work was under the continuous these two would produce a yellow-fleshed
direction of the late Professor Guy L. nectarine of high quality and large size,
Philp from the time of its inception until with other desirable characteristics.
June, 1947. The varieties here described Among the several seedlings of this
were originated and tested by him. For cross,two originally designated as 27-12
this reason it was appropriate that they and 27-12a combined many of the char-
be named in his and Mrs. Philp's honor. acteristics sought. Selection 27-12 has
been given the name Philp; 27-12a is
named Mabel. They were selected for lim-
Where to Obtain Trees ited trial as early as 1942, and were
Trees of Philp and Mabel nectarines placed with cooperating growers in the
are not offered for sale or distribution
nectarine producing areas of the state.
by the University of California, but may
be purchased from nurserymen. If your
local nurseryman does not offer these A group of Philp nectarines, photo-
Pomol- graphed in natural color, showing the typi-
varieties, write to the Division of
cal yellow flesh. Fruit is approximately %
ogy, California Agricultural Experiment
actual size.
Station, Davis, California.

[2]
Neither has been extensively planted or Mabel usually matures first but the differ-

tested. Therefore, these varieties are ence in time both varieties ma-
is slight;
largely unproven, and are introduced ture a few days to about a week before the
only on the basis of recommendation for Gower depending on the season.
variety,
trial because of their apparent superior The and set very
trees are vigorous,
characters in their season of maturity. heavy crops of fruit. For maximum size,
Philp and Mabel are outstanding in good thinning practice will be necessary,
several characteristics, and are of excel- but even under conditions of heavy pro-
lent size. Both are yellow-fleshed, free- duction these varieties have commercially
stone varieties, highly colored externally acceptable sizes of fruit. The physical
with a deep red, washed blush, covering characteristics of the trees and fruit of
nearly the entire surface. Philp is some- Philp and Mabel are compared, in Table
what more highly colored than Mabel. 2, commonly grown vari-
with two other
The external color develops early, so that John Rivers is the most important
eties.

the fruits are nearly fully colored at ship- commercial variety maturing earlier than
ping maturity. The clear yellow flesh of Philp and Mabel, while Gower follows
both varieties is attractive, of excellent, them by only a few days. Table 1 shows
fine texture and delicious flavor. The a similar tabulation of some of the more
flesh of Philp is firmer than that of Mabel; important phenological characteristics.
so Philp is recommended for shipping,
while Mabel will be best suited to local These
graphed in
are Mabel nectarines,
natural color. Fruit
photo-
approxi-
J
market and home orchard use. In flavor,
mately % actual size.
is
™
I

Philp is sprightly, while Mabel is milder.

TABLE 1. Phenological characteristics of PHILP and MABEL nectarines com-

pared with John Rivers and Gower
at Wolfskill Experimental Orchards, Winters, California.

PHILP MABEL JOHN RIVERS G< >WER

Time of full bloom
1943 March 13 March 14 March 13 March 8

1944 " 20 " 20 " 22 '

17

1945 " 14 " 14 " 15 '

11

1946 " 15 " 15 " 22 9

1947 " 16 " 16 " 17 '
13

1948 " 18 " 21 " 23 '

16

1949 " 31 " 31 April 1

'
28

Time of maturity
1943 July 12 July 12 June 26 J uly 17

1944 " 17 " 17 " 28 " 20

1945 " 16 " 16 " 17 " 27
1946 " 15 " 13 " 22 " 23
" " " 19
"
1947 14 11

1948 July 7 Auc ust 7

1949 " 25 " 22 " 4 J uly 29

Days from full bloom to maturity

1943 121 120 105 130
1944 119 119 98 125
1945 124 124 94 135
1946 122 120 92 136
1947 120 117 94
1948 106 144
1949 116 113 94 123

[4]
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 BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONS
equal to petals and stamens, 2.3 to 2.5 cm long,
Pfolfi glabrous. Flowers large, to 5 cm across at full

Tree: Upright-spreading bloom.

to spreading, pro-
Fruit: Matures about July 12 at Winters,
ductive, vigorous. Old bark grayish-brown
with thin, dry, recurved scales; two-year- wood
California. Size medium 5.5 cm
to large,

greenish-brown to brown with irregular longi-

long x 5.7 cm cheek diameter x 5.7 cm suture
tudinal cracks, grayish-brown to light brown.
diameter. Shape round to round-oval. Surface
Current growth green, or reddish on exposed
slightly irregular. Base flat. Apex more or
less rounded, occasionally nearly flat, usually
surfaces, with numerous white dots, interspersed
with brown, cracked, slightly raised lenticels
oblique toward and depressed along
suture
suture beyong apex, often very obscurely and
on the highly colored surfaces and toward the
broadly so for some distance toward base; pistil
base, in which case they are larger, high, and
scar sometimes a depressed dot, and sometimes
rough. Foliage plentiful. Leaves dark green,
the lower surface slightly lighter; shape long a small, slightly raised, irregular tip. Cavity
lanceolate to nearly linear or, rarely, tending to variable, round to wide-oval in outline, medium
be slightly ovate-lanceolate, with the apical M\ shallow to medium deep, wide conical to coni-

usually recurved and twisted about 90 degrees; cal; stem scar rather large; shoulders rounded

base acute; apex acuminate; margin rather with very shallow, broad, irregular ridges;

evenly serrate, slightly wavy ; size approximately halves equal or nearly so. Suture variable,

iy2 Leaf glands usually a line or a broad, shallow median groove,

6V2 inches long x inches broad.
globose, usually 2 or 3 in number, generally lightly creased on inner side of the cavity, or

borne on the base of the blade, or 1 on the apical rarely cleft up to one-half the distance from base
portion of the petiole; size large. Leaf petiole to apex, usually a deeper, often broad, groove
short, % inch to V2 inch, stout, twisted, with a at apex, but not creased or cleft, and running
wide, deep channel on the upper side. Fruit past apex as a broad, shallow groove. Suture
buds dark brown, ovate, not appressed, usually lips often slightly protruding, with one lip
borne 2 per node; scales pubescent, especially Skin ground-
slightly larger; lips low, rounded.

along the margins and terminally. Vegetative color light lemon yellow, often greenish in the
buds small, ovate, unless compressed between cavity; overcolor or blush washed deep red on

flower buds; dark brown, pubescent. exposed side to bright red, semicolored on pro-
Flowers: Usually borne 2 per node; sub- tected side, nearly full-colored. Pubescence
sessile; short pedicel glabrous or nearly so. lacking— a true nectarine. Dots lacking, or
Calyx cup-shaped; external color deep red, brownish-yellow, scattered, small, irregular,

or greenish where protected and at the base; mostly apical and lateral. Flesh color light
surface grossly irregular, somewhat rough or apricot-yellow, clear; cavity surface color
rugose, obscurely concentrically wrinkled at whitish-yellow, with moderate amount of red

the base of the sepals, glabrous. Nectaries on the fibers, usually with some red at apex, and
color bright, deep orange. Sepals medium flesh may be slightly flecked red along suture.

size; shape ovate to broad-ovate, slightly Flavor subacid, sweet, excellent. Flesh tex-
cupped; color dull, deep red dorsally, dull ture firm to firm-melting, fine-grained, excel-
greenish-red ventrally, with red veins; pubescent lent.

dorsally, toward margins and at apex; reflexed Stone small, 3.0 cm long x 1.5 cm cheek
about 60 degrees at full bloom. Petals large, diameter x 2.1 cm suture diameter. Shape oval,
1.8 to 2.0 cm broad x 2.3 to 2.5 cm long; shape with a broad, slightly protruding neck. Stem
broad-ovate, with short basal claw; color light scar large, flat. Apex rounded, with medium
pink, deeper at center, becoming darker and long, very sharp tip; surface pitted and pit-
redder at base with age. Stamen exsertion grooved basally; obliquely or transversely
approximately equal to petal length, 1.5 cm grooved, mostly toward the apex. Dorsal
long; 37 to 49 in number; young filaments pink, suture from base
slightly protruding, grooved
becoming purplish-red with age; anthers nor- to, or nearly to, apex, the groove medium broad

mal, color red. Pistil exsertion approximately and deep basally, becoming narrower and shal-

[7]
lower toward apex; ventral suture sometimes cm broad x 2.1 cm to 2.2 cm long; shape ovate,
raised, sharp, or only raised and sharp near slightly cupped with small basal claw, often
base; lateral grooves wide, deep, extending cleft at apex; margin slightly wavy; color light,

nearly to apex, more or less irregularly and clear pink until fully open or later, then deeper
lightly marked between. Color brown, tinged pink becoming reddish toward base. Stamen
with pinkish-red, especially along suture, and exsertion equal to or slightly shorter than
at base and apex. Flesh lies close to stone, sep- petals, 1.0 to 1.5 cm long; 40 to 45 in number;
arates from it easily, and fruit is a true freestone, anthers normal, color red. Pistil exsertion
but with a tendency to cling slightly at the base. equal to stamens, 2.1 cm long, glabrous.
Seed bitter. Flowers up to 4.8 cm across at full bloom.
Fruit:Matures about July 11 at Winters,
California. Size medium or larger when well
7K*fct thinned, 5.5 cm long x 5.8 cm cheek diameter x
6.0 cm suture diameter. Shape variable, round-
Tree: Upright-spreading, productive, vigor- oval to round, often very slightly ovate. Surface
ous. Old bark grayish-brown to reddish-brown very slightly irregular. Base flat. Apex rounded,
with thin, recurved scales; two-year-wood depressed along suture line ;
pistil scar depressed
greenish-brown to brown, with irregular longi- or a very small, low, irregular fleshy tip. Cavity
tudinal cracks, grayish-brown to light brown. wide-oval to round, shallow or nearly so, wide-
Current growth green, or slightly reddish conical, "open"; shoulders wide-rounded, nearly
on exposed surfaces, with numerous white dots, smooth and regular. Suture an obscure line, or
interspersed with brown, cracked, slightly a broad, shallow groove becoming more pro-
more highly colored sur-
raised lenticels on the nounced apically, but rarely creased, and con-
facesand toward base. Foliage plentiful. tinuing as a shallow groove past apex, often to
Leaves dark green, the lower surface lighter; base. Suture lips not protruding, broad-
shape long ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate with angular, low where present. Skin ground-color
tip more or less recurved and twisted 90 degrees rich yellow, or greenish in the cavity ; overcolor
or less near apex; base rounded; apex acumi- or blush deep red, solid where exposed, washed,
nate; margin evenly serrate, moderately wavy, not solid red on protected side, or more %
with strong tip glands, especially toward base; colored. Pubescence lacking— a true nectarine.
size approximately 6 inches long x 1% inches Dots scattered, variable, apical and lateral, few.
wide. Leaf glands reniform, usually 2 to 5 in Flesh color clear yellow; cavity surface color
number, borne on the petiole or, rarely, 1 or 2 on fibers
dull whitish-yellow, with trace of red
on the base of the blade; size large. Leaf and in flesh along ventral suture and at apex.
petiole short, about V-2 inch, stout, twisted, Flavor mildly subacid, sweet, excellent. Flesh
with a strong, moderately deep channel on the texture firm to firm-melting, fine-grained.
upper side. Fruit buds dark brown, ovate, Stone medium or smaller, 2.9 cm long x 1.7

nearly appressed, usually borne 2 per node; cm cheek diameter x 2.2 cm suture diameter.
scales pubescent along margins and at apex, but Shape broad-oval, plump, base broad, slightly
nearly glabrous in the center. Vegetative necked.Stem scar large, flat. Apex rounded,
buds small, ovate, unless compressed between sometimes with slight ventral bulge, and with
flower buds, dark brown, pubescent. medium sized, sharp tip; surface pitted and
Flowers: Usually borne 2 per node, sub- pit-grooved basally; obliquely and transversely
sessile; pedicel glabrous or nearly so. Calyx deeply grooved on cheeks and toward apex.
cup-shaped ; external color dull, deep red, or Dorsal suture slightly protruding, medium to
greenish where protected; somewhat
surface narrow and rather deeply grooved from base to

irregular, lightly striated, glabrous. Nectaries apex; ventral suture broad, flat, or bluntly

color bright, deep orange. Sepals medium raised at base ; lateral grooves wide, deep, from
size;shape oval, slightly cupped; color dull, base to apex, becoming shallower toward apex,
deep red dorsally, greenish on ventral surface, irregularly grooved between. Color brown,
with veins obscurely reddish; pubescent dor- tinged pinkish-red, especially on sutures, at

sally toward margins and apex, glabrous on base and apex. Flesh free from stone, except
inner surface; reflexed about 45 degrees or for a slight tendency to cling at base; other-

more at full bloom. Petals large, 1.9 cm to 2.0 wise a freestone. Seed bitter.

10m-8,'50(B8454)WFC

[8]