PEACH. The (A mygdalus Persica, or Persica vulgaris) is generally considered to be more especially a native of Persia. It was known to the Romans, 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 different countries of Europe. But the peach is not indigenous solely in Persia, for it has been found growing wild in various parts of Turkey and Aala. Pallas describes it as existing in the more southern parts of the Caucasus. From the frequency of its occurrence in a wild state, and the perfection which it attains under tho moat limited share of cultivation in regions situated between 30 and 40° of latitude, these parallels may be presumed to include Its favourite habitat. Isothermal lines describe however a wavy tract, and the peach may even find a congenial climate to a con siderable 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 deciduous nature, requiring a cool season of rest, unfits it for the continued high temperature of a tropical climate.
The peach withstands our winters unhurt, trained against a wall, if they aro not unusually severe. It even succeeds in America exceedingly well as • stantlanl, in latitudes where the winters are much more Intense, but the summers hotter, than with us. This is in conformity with the well-ascertained fact, that all deciduous trees suffer leas from we're frost in winter when their wood is perfectly matured by sufll chatty warm summers, than when grown in climates where they cannot enjoy that degree of summer-heat which they are naturally adapted for, and which they require for the duo formation of their tissues. Ilenoe, in the north of England, young pesch.trees in the open ground will be partially lujured by A degree of frost which, though of equal intensity, will not injuriously affect similar plants in the neighbourhood of London. The peach also succeeds as a standard in Italy, the south of France, and other continental countries of Europe having summers equally hot; but it may be observed that, where the mean temperature of the summer months is above 70', or that of the warmest month above 75', as is the case at Rome, and still higher at New York, the melting varieties of the peach do not that rich succulence which they acquire against a south wall more moderate summer hate of the climates of London or Paris. On
the contrary, however, the ftrat-ftesluai or dingstone peaches, which are little esteemed in this country, are preferred in America and other places subject to extreme summer best.
If the mean temperature of February amount to 40', and that of March to 4e or 45% the peach-tree will be in full flower against a wall with a south aspect about the last week in March ; and the general crop will be ripe in the last week of August or first week of September, provided the mean temperature of April be 49% May 55", June 61', July 64", and that of August 6r. This period of fire months required for the maturing of the fruit from the time of flowering, on the open wall, may be reduced to fear by means of fire-heat and the protection of glans ; but it cannot be advantageously diminished any further. This fact being borne in mind, it is easy for the gardener to know at what time to commence forcing his peaches in order to obtain a crop in a given month.
From the natural climate and habit of the peach-tree, it is obvious that when forced it must be flowered under a comparatively low degree of temperature. It cannot, therefore, be well forced simultaneously with the vine; for the temperature of March, which in this climate penes to bring the peach into flower, does not unfold the buds of the vine, this being only effected a month or six weeks farther in the season, by a mean temperature of 55'. The peach may be subjected at first to a temperature of 45', but not exceeding 55' till the flowering is over, after which it may be gradually raised to 60% and not exceeding 65% till the substance of the stone is indurated, after which from 65' to 70" may be allowed. This is to be understood as referring to the application of fire-best. Even in the total absence of fire-heat, sun beat will frequently raise the temperature much higher ; but in this case • large portion of air should be supplied, not however all at once after the temperature of the house is found too high, but gradually as the temperature increases. Air should be always freely admitted through the day, when the weather is at all favourable.