Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-08-10
The History Of the Peach.

THE peach is supposed to be native of
Persia, and its botanical name refers to
that origin. tits known to have fiourished
in both Persia and China at a yery early
period, and was highly valued in both
countries. 1t has often been found grow
ing spontaneously in Asiatic Turkey. 1t
is mentioned by Pliny, and several other
classical writer's, and many anecdotes are
related of the veneration and even super
stition with which 1t was regarded by the
Asiatics. There is no doubt but it was
one of the Trees of the Garden which
God planted in Eden, and which were to
nourish and cheer our first parents in their
pristine purity and happiness. 1t is not
mentioned in the Bible, but its congener,
the almond, is mentioned several times,
and as early as the days of Jacob. And
we hnd, when he was preparing his pres
ent for the Governor of Egypt, he com
manded his sons to take "myrrh, nuts,
and almond" as gift, showing the esteem
In which it was then held. Again, in the
directions for making the golden candle
stick, among the ornaments, the myrtle
and almond are mentioned as of the chief.
The peach, like civilization itself,
travelled from this center westward into
Europe, and we find it mentioned in
Roman history in the reign of tine En-
peror Claudius. 1t was highly valued by
the patriciahs of Rome, and was GUILTY..
ated by them as one OF their choicest lux
uries. 1t is still a standard tree in Italy
1t was introduced into England from
Italy, about the middle of the sixteenth
| century, and has been cultivated there as
an exotic ever since. Her cool, moist
| climate, however, prevents its general
cultivation, and it is only grown on walls
or under glass, and the fruit is seldom seen
except on the tables of the aristocracy.
Even in France, where the climate is
much milder, it is not always reared with
out protection, and the fruit has never
gone into general use, but is a delicacy
confined to the wealthy alone, the cultiva-
ton being confined principally to gar
dens.
In China it Is extensively cultivated in
the gardens of the rich, and has attained
| an extraordinary size. But of their man
ner of propagation and culture but little
is yet known, owing to the exclusive poll
cy heretofore pursued by that ancient EN-
pire. Now, since its amelioration, among
the many other benefits hoped for, more
accurate and complete knowledge of the
peach is one. The Chinese are great gar
diners. and much affect the curious in bor
dcultural as in other arts, and We may ex
pect to learn much that IL interesting, i
not useful. We know already that they
produce peaches of very large size, ant
two, at least, of rare shape-the Chimes
Flat, and Crooked Peach. With this be
ginning, we will not be surprised at still
more curious developments. The curl
osity, ingenuity, and enterprise of ou
countrymen will soon discover whateve
may be known.
1t is to our credit that the United State
is the only country In the world tha,
either in ancient or modern times, has pro
duced peaches in sufficient quantities t
allow them to become common marketa
BILE commodity; so cheap, that the pool
as well as the rich, may regsle themselve
and their families with one of the mos
wholesome and delicious of fruits st
very small expense, and with every pro:
pect that they will still be more abundan
and cbeaD-Pe6ch Csltuys