Ten Nectarines for Eastern North America

Abstract

Early in his efforts to assemble a varied collection of germ plasm of peaches and related fruits, Professor M.A. Blake of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, became interested in nectarines. As he said: "The far-seeing breeder must ever be seeking new species and types to increase the opportunities for improvements" (Blake, 1944). Apparently, from the beginning, Professor Blake was trying to build size and improve productivity. In 1926 the first crosses were made, using 'Goldmine', a small (under 2" diameter), white-fleshed nectarine which he had gotten from New Zealand through the USDA Plant Introduction Section, as P.I. 43141. 'Goldmine' was crossed with a white-fleshed peach selection of medium-large size (2,1/2" diameter), with light pubescence, from a progeny of 'Belle' self-pollinated (Connors, 1927). All the III seedlings from this cross were peaches.