18 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



refers to its native country. It has been well remarked that the 

 peach resembles the pea-pod, in the simplicity of its formation, 

 being composed of but a single covering or leaf. The hairy cuticle 

 of the under surface of the leaf may be easily recognised in the 

 downy skin of the peach. The cellular texture of the middle of 

 the leaf, absorbing a great deal of sap as it grows, and swelling 

 out, forms the fleshy substance of the fruit, The upper surface of 

 the leaf, deprived in a great measure of moisture, and starved, as 

 it were, by the voracious appetite of the middle portion, contracts 

 its fibres, becomes tough, then indurated, and at length converted 

 into a shell or hollow stone, affords a most secure shelter for the seed. 

 The Peach in the United States seems exactly suited to our 

 country, and flourishes as well, if not better, than in its own Persian 

 home, growing and producing rich crops, unequalled in size and 

 flavor, wherever Maize or Indian Corn will come to maturity ; and 

 these important vegetable products have in this way become, as it 

 were, tests of each other. Many in the State of New Jersey ex- 

 clusively cultivate this fruit, and we are told that at Shrewsbury, on 

 a single plantation, ten thousand bushels are annually produced for 

 the New York market; and those on the Delaware, yield twice 

 this amount. It was formerly cultivated in the Middle, Southein, 

 and Western States for the purposes of distillation ; but to a much 

 less extent at present, owing to the efforts of the Temperance 

 Societies. The best peaches possess thin skins, thick and firm 

 flesh, quickly filling up when pitted by the finger, and abound in a 

 sweet, vinous and richly flavored juice ; the stone is quite small. 

 Prussic Acid is obtained in considerable quantities, both from leaves 

 and kernels. Delicious ii litation Noyeau can be obtained by steep- 

 ing the leaves in brandy, sweetening with sugar and fining with 

 milk. The inhabitants of Scio employ them in dying silk a deep 

 green. In floral language, the Peach emblemizes the sentence, 



YOUR QUALITIES, LIKE YOUR CHARMS, ARE UNEQUALLED. 



