276 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



had been asserted that this fruit was sent into Egypt by 

 the kings of Persia, by way of revenge, to plague the 

 natives ; but he treats this story as a mere fable, adding, 

 that the name Persica evidently bespeaks them a Per- 

 sian fruit. Cato has not mentioned them ; and Pliny 

 adds, that it was not long since peaches were known in 

 Rome, and there was great difficulty in rearing them. 

 He informs us they were brought from Egypt to the isle 

 of Rhodes, where they could never be made to produce 

 fruit ; and from thence to Italy. -He says, moreover, that 

 it was not a common fruit in Greece or in Natolia. This 

 author states again, in book 23, chap. 7, that lie con- 

 sidered it the most harmless fruit in the world ; that it 

 had the most juice with the least smell of any fruit, and 

 yet caused thirst in those who ate of it. 



Peaches were evidently cultivated in France at an early 

 period, as Columella continues his account of this fruit, 

 by stating, 



" Those of small size to ripen make great haste ; 

 Such as great Gaul bestows observe due time 

 And season, not too early, nor too late." 



Pliny says, book 15, chap. 12, "as for the French and 

 Asiatic peaches, they bear the name of the regions and 

 nations from whence they come." 



It is stated that the peach-tree was not cultivated in 

 England before the year 1562 ; and by whom it was first 

 introduced, or from what country it was procured, we 

 have no authentic account, although in Gerard's work 

 (1597) he describes the white peach, the red peach, the 

 yellow peach, and the d'avant peach, and adds, " I have 

 them all in my garden, with many other sorts." 



The peach-tree, he continues, " soone commeth vp ; it 

 beareth fruit the third or fourth yeer after it is planted, 

 and it soone decaieth; and is not of long continuance." 





