Will you permit me to ask one more question;2 Can you distinguish generally, always, or never a nectarine tree from a Peach before it flowers or before it fruits. I shd. like to quote your answer.—3
In December 1862, CD began writing chapter 11 of Variation, dealing with bud-variation, and initiated a correspondence with Rivers, a renowned Hertfordshire nurseryman (see Correspondence vol. 10, letters to Thomas Rivers, 23 December [1862] and 28 December [1862]). See also letters to Thomas Rivers, 7 January [1863], 11 January [1863], and 15 January [1863].
In Variation 1: 340, CD cited Rivers as the authority for his statement that the fruit of the peach and nectarine differed in appearance and flavour, but the trees differed ‘in no other respects’, and could not even be distinguished ‘whilst young’.
Can TR distinguish generally, always, or never, a nectarine-tree from a peach-tree before it flowers or before it fruits? He wants to quote TR’s answer.