219 



or, as it is termed by some botanists, I 'craw t vult/ann and Pnimis 

 persica, a tree belonging to the Amygdalese section of the natural order 

 Kosaeece, or the Rose family. The Nectarine has originated from the 

 same source, and though classed separately there is no substantial 

 difference between these fruits, excepting that one has a downy, and the 

 other a smooth, skin. It is not known as to which form is the original 

 type of fruit, or as to its native country with certainty. It is widely 

 diffused through the greater part of Asia, and has been cultivated by the 

 inhabitants of that part of the world from time immemorial. It is said to 

 have been first introduced to Europe by the Emperor Claudius, who obtained 

 it from Persia. When first brought to the Roman States it was called Mnlum 

 j>ewrtim, or the Persian Apple, and this is the origin of the word persicn. 

 The word Peach comes by degrees from the same source, and is compara- 

 tively modern, the fruit being described by old British writers under the 

 names of peske, peesk, peshe, and peche. The generic name Ami/gdalis 

 comes from amysso (to lacerate) , in allusion to the deep fissures on the 

 stones. 



By the ancient nations of Europe the Peach was looked upon with 

 suspicion when first introduced, it being generally considered to possess 

 poisonous properties. Pliny informs us that one of the kings of Persia 

 sent it to Egypt in order to poison the inhabitants. These ideas as to 

 the deleterious properties probably originated through the Peach being; 

 confounded with the Bitter Almond, a tree to which it is closely allied, if 

 it has not originated from the same source. The prejudice against this 

 fruit, however, gradually wore away, and in time it became very popular. 

 With the Chinese the Peach has always occupied a prominent position 

 among fruits, and they have many traditions respecting it. One of these 

 gives an account of a Peach tree that only bore once in a thousand years, 

 the fruit of which when eaten conferred immortality upon those who 

 partook of it. According to another of these traditions there was a 

 Peach which had been growing upon a mountain from time immemorial, 

 guarded by a hundred demons, whose fruit if touched produced instant 

 death. 



The Peach is =?aid to have been first cultivated in England about the 

 middle of the sixteenth century, but as in that country it is somewhat 

 tender and requires to be grown against walls or other shelters, it never 

 became common and popular in the same way as the Apple, Plum, and 

 Cherry. In all the southern countries of Europe, where it thrives to 

 perfection, the Peach has from time immemorial been a favourite fruit, 

 and generally cultivated. By the inhabitants of these countries the fruit 

 is also utilized in many ways. The Peach is also a very popular fruit in 

 America, where it is extensively grown from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 

 The fruit of the Peach when consumed ripe and fresh is very wholesome, 

 and may be eaten without risk by persons having the most delicate 

 stomachs. For culinary purposes it is excellent, either when ripe or in a 

 green state. Peaches are an excellent fruit for canning, large quantities 



