Peaches of Chinese origin thrive well on the coast, and are extremely
hardy. The fruit is not, as a rule, of high quality when compared with
that of the Persian varieties, but their earliness and ease with which
they can be grown causes them to be planted by many who have small
gardens. Like the Japanese plums they are, however, very subject to the
attack of fruit fly, and require to be kept dwarf and covered in a
similar manner if any good is to be got from them. On the coast, they
are practically evergreen, as they never lose their leaves entirely,
and are in blossom during the winter. When grown on the tablelands, this
early blossoming is a disadvantage, as the blossoms are liable to be
injured by frost, but in these districts peaches of Persian origin can
be grown instead.