24 PEACH CtTLTtJRE. 



S*. 



here than there ; while those taken from here, do worgg. 

 The reason is found in the difference of soil and climate. 



Fifty years ago, peaches, in Virginia, were raised prin- 

 cipally for distillation, and from them was made a strong, 

 but pure, spirit, called Peach Brandy, a very popular 

 drink, and, perhaps, as harmless as any of its class. In 

 the peach districts, every neighborhood had its distillery, 

 as every one had its mill, and the surrounding planters 

 either got their fruit distilled on shares, or sold it to the 

 owner of a still. In the latter case, the usual price was 

 twelve and a half cents per bushel^ and good brandy 

 could be bought at prices ranging from twenty to fifty 

 cents per gallon ! But that was before internal revenue 

 officers were known, and before the producer had to pay 

 a tenth or more of all he made to the tax gatherer. In 

 those halcyon days, what a man made was his own, and 

 he was allowed to enjoy it without fear of having to 

 share it with strangers who had not assisted in its pro- 

 duction. 



But peaches increased, while brandy drinking decreased, 

 and their cultivation ceased to be profitable. Hence, it 

 was almost abandoned, except for home use, and Virginia 

 fell far behind New Jersey and Delaware as a peach grow- 

 ing State. But the same causes that are operating in the 

 States further south of her, influence her also ; and it is 

 believed that, in a very few years, she will again place 

 herself in the front rank of producers. 



In ]STe\v England the Peach does not do well, and is 

 but little cultivated. Her soil is not the best, but the 

 most serious obstacles are found in her long, severe winters, 

 and cold, moist, north-easterly winds, which must always 

 prevent its general or extensive cultivation. But in pro- 

 tected situations, on the south sides of warm walls, under 

 glass, and in pots, it is successfully cultivated as a choice 

 luxury. And in this, as in other exotics, art and perse- 

 verance compel nature to yield her choicest sweets. It is 



