204 Cultivation and Treatment of the Peach Tree. 



In these times of temperance reform, to recommend the use of 

 any other beverage than cold water might subject us to the 

 charge of opposition to this philanthropic cause ; but, as a 

 drink to take Ihe place of alcohol, such a specimen of wine 

 as Mr. Watts has sent us would do no one harm, and if it 

 could be made to take the place of alcoholic liquors, it would 

 be the most efficient aid in the promotion of temperance. A 

 light and pleasant drink of some kind is necessary in our warm 

 climate, and an article like this could be easily and cheaply 

 made by every one who has a spare rod of ground. We re- 

 commend the recipe of Mr. Watts for manufacturing the wine 

 to those who would like to make a trial of it. — Ed. 



Art. VI. On the Cultivation and Treatment of the Peach 

 Tree, in Cold Houses. By Thomas B. Cowan, Gardener 

 to Dr. Durfee, Fall River, Mass. 



The peach has, for a long time, occupied a conspicuous 

 place among other fruits, and ranks as one of the most deli- 

 cious, for summer use. It was first introduced into Europe 

 from Persia, which is said to be its native country. 



The following account of its introduction into Europe is 

 given by Loudon, in his Eiicyclopedia. The peach tree, in 

 its natural state, is under the middle size of trees ; of quick 

 growth, and not long duration. Sickler considers Persia as 

 the original country of the peach, which, in Media, is deemed 

 unwholesome ; but, when planted in the alluvial soils of Egypt, 

 becomes pulpy and delicious. The peach also, according to 

 Columella, when first brought from Persia, into the Roman 

 Empire, possessed deleterious quahties; which Knight con- 

 cludes to have arisen from those peaches being only swollen 

 almonds, or imperfect peaches ; which are known to contain 

 Prussic acid which operates unfavorably on many constitu- 

 tions. The tree has been cultivated from time immemorial 

 in most parts of Asia ; when it was introduced into Greece is 

 uncertain ; the Romans seem to have brought it direct from 

 Persia duruig the reign of the emperor Claudius. The peach 



