Peach plant

Abstract

Disclosed is a new and distinct peach plant having the cultivar name Ray Crest, broadly characterized by early picking date between May 21 and 24, a full 7 days earlier than the parent plant, Springcrest (unpatented), and having a semi-free stone which parts freely from the flesh when fully ripe, medium to large size fruit for season of maturity, with 50-90% overlay of blush to dark red coloration somewhat mottled with longitudinal streaking of dark red. The tree is large, vigorous, productive and hardy for California conditions. For eating, early shipping and fresh market with good keeping and shipping quality.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of peach tree, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of peach substantially as described and illustrated, which is characterized by a vigorous, regular bearing tree hardy for California conditions, very early ripening fruit with blush to dark red mottling and longitudinal red streaking over yellow ground color, large size for its early season, semi-free stone, and globose form, and which most closely resembles its parent plant, Springcrest (unpatented) and Maycrest (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,064), also an early maturing sport of Springcrest, but is distinguished therefrom by reaching commercial maturity 7 days earlier than Springcrest and 3 days earlier than Maycrest.