GRIMWOOD'S ROYAL GEORGE; OR, THE GROSSE MIGNONNE PEACH. The above names we have no doubt properly belong to the variety of Peach now delineated; for although plants have been dispersed under each name separately, yet the most skilful gardeners cannot find any difference between the blossoms, leaves, and fruit of the one and of the other: but what puts the matter out of doubt is, that Mr. GRIMWOOD, the nurseryman of Kensington, told Mr. AITON, His Majesty's gardener at Kew, that he gave the name of Grimwood's Royal George to the old French Peach, in the early part of the reign of His present Majesty George III.; and in consequence thereof, such was the high sense of loyalty in the nation, sold so many of the kind, as to profit to the amount of £.300 by his misnomer. The original stock, by which he had gained so much, he gave to Mr. AITON, and in the year 1813 it existed still in one of the forcing houses at Kew; and in the spring of that year was in full bloom, which could not be distinguished from that of the Grosse Mignonne, which was very near it. The tree is a tolerable good grower, but is perhaps less vigorous than those of some other kinds. The blossom is large, of a fine vivid rose colour; the stigma and stamina are of a fine crimson, which gives this tree when in bloom a more beautiful appearance than most other Peach trees. The leaf is of moderate size, slightly serrated, of a lightish green, often marbled with a still lighter colour. The fruit is round, middle sized, rather flat, one side of it generally longer than the other, with a deep groove or furrow between the two hemispheres. Skin of a dark red colour, with streaks of a still deeper red on the side next the sun. Flesh pale yellow, with a few streaks of red running from the skin, and blotches of a very fine carmine colour round the stone; of excellent flavour, abounding with sweet and vinous juice. Stone nearly round, very rugged, a little inclining to a point at both ends, separating readily from the flesh. This Peach is held in high estimation by all the French Horticulturists, and is indeed a most delicious fruit, which ripens about London between the middle and latter end of September. |