CHAPTER V 



THE PEACH {Amygdalus Persica, or Prunus Persica) 

 AND APRICOT {A. ox P. Armeniaca) 



ANOTHER great division of fruits is the Almond 

 or Plum family, AmygdalacecB , including the 

 almond, peach, apricot, cherry, and plum. The peach 

 is held by some to be a distinct genus, by others is variously 

 classed with the almond and apricot and with the plum, 

 adding interest to the mooted question of exact origin by 

 the fact that Darwin held the peach to be an evolutiohised 

 form of the wild almond. Alphonse de Candolle has led 

 the theorists claiming the distinct peach origin, with 

 China as its probable earliest home: since in that country 

 the peach has not been found in varying forms (ap- 

 proaching or departing from the almond) but instead, has 

 never been unknown as a distinctive, individual fruit or 

 tree. (The Chinese Peen-To peach, in form flattened 

 like a tomato, is now grown to a considerable extent in 

 parts of the semi-tropical states of North America.) The 

 name Persica was given the peach from the supposition 

 that it originated in Persia. It has claims upon beauty 

 of complexion, unrivalled perhaps in the fruit kingdom, 

 and in rich, luscious fragrance few fruits can equal it, 

 being esteemed in almost every country of the world for 

 its flavour and daintiness of texture. 



Peaches must be fully ripened and sound to be entirely 

 wholesome uncooked but in this perfect stage have been 



66 



