Secretary of The Chicago Academy of Sciences.
The peach (_Amygdalus persica, L._), is one of our most important and
best-known fruits.
It is not found in the wild state, in its present form, though in some
localities it propagates itself, having escaped from cultivation.
It is probably a native of China, where it has been cultivated for
centuries and where it is said to reach its greatest perfection,
although Darwin holds that the evidence seems to indicate that the wild
almond of Persia is the original source of the cultivated almond, the
peach, and the nectarine. The specific name _persica_, has its origin
in the fact that the peach was obtained from Persia, both by the Romans
and the Greeks.
Dr. Willis tells us that "it was introduced into Italy from Persia by
the Romans, in the reign of Claudius Cæsar. It was introduced into
Great Britain during the sixteenth century, and thence brought in 1680
by the settlers of Virginia to America."
The number of varieties seems to be unlimited. Over four hundred have
been catalogued, though less than one hundred of these are constant.
The nectarine is considered a variety and closely related to the peach
and the plum, the apricot, and the cherry.
The tree itself, when bearing its beautiful rose-colored, five-petaled
flowers, is highly ornamental. It seldom grows higher than twenty feet
and its branches form a symmetrical top. One very ornamental variety
produces double flowers and bright, shining leaves, but no fruit.
This valuable plant is generally placed in the family _Rosaceæ_, which
includes many species of economic and ornamental importance. Besides
those already mentioned, here belong the rose, the strawberry, the
raspberry, the blackberry, the apple, the pear, and the quince, as well
as many beautiful wild forms.
The thousand or more species usually classed in this family may be
readily separated into distinct groups, to which are given distinct
family names by some authorities. Thus, the peach, the cherry, the
plum, and the almond, which resemble each other in regard to the
structure of their fruits and in their chemical constituents, may be
placed in a family by themselves.
It is of interest to note that this luscious fruit was not always
considered free from noxious qualities. Pliny states that it was
considered by some that its presence in Egypt was due to its
introduction there by the Persian king for the purpose of poisoning his
enemies.
The Chinese writings refer to the peach as early as the fifth century
before Christ, and it is given the name "tao" by Confucius. We are
also told that in these writings "the peach tree holds the same place
that the tree of knowledge does in the sacred scriptures, and that
the golden Hesperides, apples of the heathen, hold among the western
nations."
In Chinese mythology a peach tree is mentioned which was thought to
possess the power of causing immortality but which produced its fruit
but once in a thousand years, and another, which grew on a mountain and
which existed in the early history of China, was said to be guarded by
a number of demons.
[Illustration: CHICAGO:
A. W. MUMFORD, PUBLISHER.
PEACH.
1/2 Life-size.
COPYRIGHT 1899, BY
NATURE STUDY PUB. CO., CHICAGO.]