On Peach Trees. 187 



Bellevue (near Wilmington^ Del) Nov. 6th, 1807. 

 Dear Sir, 



Your letter of the 3d ult. came to hand at the mo- 

 ment I was setting off on a journey to Talbot county 

 in Maryland ; and your second letter of the 6th was 

 received on my return. I shall pursue the order re- 

 commended in your second letter, by giving you the 

 best history in my power of the peach tree ; with such 

 observations as I may deem of any importance in its 

 culture, diseases, &c. And if it shall contribute any 

 thing to your more perfect history, I shall be very glad. 

 Miller says the peach tree was brought into Europe 

 from Persia, whence it derives its name. There is 

 good reason to believe it is a native of those parts of 

 South America, where it grows wild, like other forest 

 trees. I do not think the success of this tree depends 

 upon any line of demarkation between north and south. 

 I never saxv peaches grow in greater perfection, than 

 on governor Livingston's farm near Elizabeth-town.— 

 Noah Webster gives direction for the cultivation of 

 the peach tree, in Connecticut, and particularly recom- 

 mends the propagation of early peaches. I have been 

 informed this fruit is matured in great perfection in 

 Massachusetts ; but how much farther eastward it is 

 capable of maturity, in open ground, I am not inform* 

 €d. M'Mahon, in his gardening, takes notice that the 

 peach tree, in Europe, grows as far north as the grape- 

 vine, but alledges, that in northern climates, the peach 

 requires more assistance from art, to bring it to matu- 

 rity, than the grape. But although the peach is capa- 

 ble of great perfection in high latitudes, it must be con- 

 fessed, that southern and warm districts ai*e most fa- 



