In a 12 year field trial (randomized block design), with 10 crops, cvs. Algerie and Gold Nugget, both on seedling rootstocks, were compared. The soil was a non-calcareous well drained decomposed shale. Trees were drip irrigated until 8 years of age and were microsprinkled later on; water quality was good. Fruits were scab-free. Gold Nugget had slightly bigger trunk growth. In the first 4 crops, vegetative growth, yield and tree efficiency per unit trunk cross-sectional area were higher in 'Algerie'. Later, yield and efficiency were similar for both cultivars. Mean fruit weight was higher in Gold Nugget. In the last six crops, the mean difference was 6.2 percent. 'Algerie' ripened earlier except for the last two crops. The percentage of fruits affected by purple spot was higher in 'Algerie' in six of the seven last years. In affected fruits the percentage of purple spot was higher in Algerie in all years.