THE PEACH. 231 



10 cents. Alexandria, peeled, 13 to 15; unpeeled, 10 to 12 

 cents. Last Winter they commanded more than double these 

 prices in all the cities. 



The drying of peaches in the far South is effected by spread- 

 ing the fruit on boards, or frames filled up with boards, and 

 exposed to the sun and air; but where the business is done 

 on a larger scale, for market, a drylng-liouse is constructed, 

 which is heated by a stove and furnished with ventilated 

 drawers, a description of which has already been given in the 

 course of this work. These drawers are provided with bot- 

 toms made of laths or narrow strips, just open enough to 

 allow the heated air to circulate freely through them. They 

 are filled with free stone peaches, in halves, taken before too 

 ripe. If they are to be dried unpeeled, they are first dipped 

 in boiling hot water for a few minutes, they are then cut in 

 two, the stone taken out, and the two halves distributed in 

 single layers, touching each other, with the skin downward. 

 When the drying is completed by the heat of the drying-house, 

 which requires but a short time, the drawers are taken out and 

 a fresh layer put on. 



The leaves of the peach when bruised and mixed with water, 

 or bruised in water, and distilled, is a preparation called jjt'«<?^ 

 water, which is much used as a delicate flavoring extract for 

 culinary purposes. If steeped in brandy or other spirits, they 

 communicate a grateful flavor called '^ Noyean.'' An imita- 

 tion of the celebrated improved Noyean is made by using the 

 best white brandy, which, after being flavored with this ex- 

 tract, is sweetened with refined sugar mixed with a small por- 

 tion of sweet milk, and then decanted. 



The refuse of the peach orchard and distillery are used in 

 fattening hogs — for this purpose it is considered wholesome 

 and valuable food. 



Peaches put up in brandy are considered a luxury, and the 

 canning of this fruit in a ripe state, fresh from the trees in 

 air-tight vessels, has become quite a large and profitable busi- 

 ness in many parts of the United States. 



An eminent Northern pomologist says; "No man w^ho lives 

 under a warm sun will hesitate about giving a due share of 



