52 



THE GARDENER. 



directions with regard to pruning and general manage- 

 ment will be liable to misapplication. 



'Pruning and general Managemeyit of F each and 

 ^Xectarbie Trees. 



The nature of these trees is essentially the same, 

 and consequently whatever is directed in regard :o the 

 management of the peach is equally applicable m the 

 case of the nectarine. The article Peach in the Pen- 

 ny Cyclopedia contains very suitable information on 

 the subject in hand, and is here essentially given, with 

 some additional observations : — 



The peach-tree ( Amygdalus Persica or Persica 

 Vulgaris) is generally considered to be more espe- 

 cially a native of Persia. It was known to the Ro- 

 mans, and brought to Italy, where it became distin- 

 guished by the name of Persica; and this name it 

 still retains under various modifications in the differ- 

 ent countries of Europe : thus, ^^cZi?.^ is evidently de- 

 rived from peche or plclier. the latter being formerly 

 Vsxxil^Ti persier by the French. But the peach is not 

 indigenous solely in Persia, for it has been found 

 growing wild in various parts of Turkey in Asia. 

 Pallas describes it as existing in the more southern 

 parts of the Caucasus. From the frequency of its oc- 

 currence in a wild state, and the perfection which it 

 atrains under the most limited share of cultivation in 

 regions situated between 30"^ and 40^ of latitude, these 

 parallels may be presumed to include its favourite ha- 

 bitat. Isothermal lines describe however a waw^' tract ; 

 and the peach may even find a congenial climate to a 

 considerable extent on both sides of the above limits ; 

 but the locality must be very peculiarly circumstanced 

 in which it will acquire full perfection beyond the 48th 

 parallel on the one hand ; and, on the other, its deci- 

 duous nature requiring a cool season of rest, unfits it 



