INTRODUCTION. 15 



the Bible, but its congener, the almond, is mentioned sev- 

 eral times, and as early as the days of Jacob. And 

 we find, when he was preparing his present for the 

 Governor of Egypt, he commanded his sons to take 

 " myrrh, nuts, and almonds " as a gift, showing the 

 esteem in which it was then held. Again, in the di- 

 rections for making the golden candlestick, among the 

 ornaments, the myrtle and almond are mentioned as of 

 the chief. 



The Peach, like civilization itself, traveled from this 

 centre Westward into Europe, and we find it mentioned 

 in Roman history in the reign of the Emperor Claudius. 

 It was highly valued by the patricians of Rome, and was 

 cultivated by them as one of their choicest luxuries. It 

 is still a standard tree in Italy. 



It was introduced into England from Italy, about the 

 middle of the sixteenth century, and has been cultivated 

 there as an exotic ever since. Her cool, moist climate, 

 however, prevents its general cultivation, 'and it is only 

 grown on walls or under glass, and the fruit is seldom 

 seen except on the tables of the aristocracy. 



Even in France, where the climate is much milder, it is 

 not always reared without protection, and the fruit has 

 never gone into general use, but is a delicacy confined to 

 the wealthy alone, the cultivation being limited princi- 

 pally to gardens. 



In China it is extensively cultivated in the gardens of 

 the rich, and has attained an extraordinary size. But of 

 their manner of propagation and culture but little is yet 

 known, owing to the exclusive policy heretofore pursued 

 by that ancient Empire. Now, since its amelioration, 

 among the many other benefits hoped for, a more accu- 

 rate and complete knowledge of the peach is one. The 

 Chinese are great gardeners, and much affect the curious 

 in horticultural as in other arts, and we may expect to 

 learn much that is interesting, if not useful. We know 



