To conclude, I fhall give you the Table I promis'd; for I think there is no room to doubt that the feveral Parts of Europe were furnish'd with the Fruits I mention, from Italy, as has been faid before: And 'tis highly probable, that the Romans furnish'd themselves with them from the Places which are named.

From the foregoing Table, you may judge what Situation is molt proper for bringing the Fruits named there to the beft Perfection in our Climate, and likewife which Sorts may moft require artificial Heats to help them. Thus, Sir, in the best way I can, I have answered yours dated September, and remain

Your most Humble Servant,

R. BRADLEY.

Since my writing this Letter, I have been perfuaded to add the following Obfervations concerning the Names of the refpective Tribes of Fruit Trees, as the Botanical Authors have given

'em to us.

Of the CHERRY, its Names, &c.

T

HE Cherry-Tree is called in Greek nego, and the Fruit nipara; in Latin, Cerafus, and Cerafum. Athenæus and Pliny agree with the Account given of this Fruit in the foregoing Letter and make it derive its Name from a Place called Cerafumta in Pontus The Arabians call the Cherry Sarafie, the Italians Ciregie, the Spaniards Cerafas, and Guindas: The French Cerifes and Guines: The Germans Kirfen and Kirfchen; and the Hollanders Kriken. We have now in England about ten Sorts which may be found in the Nurferies about London.

of

Of the PEACH and NECTARINE.

TH

HE Peach is called in Greek περσικὴ μηλέα, podáva, and by fome in Latin, Malus Perfica, and Malus Rhodacina; the Arabians call the Peach Sauch or Chauch; the Italians call it Perfiche, the Spaniards Pexigos, the French Pefche, and by the Germans, the Peach-tree is called, Pfefichbaum; and by the Hollanders Perceboom. We have now about thirty Sorts in our English Catalogues; but fome private Gentlemen have raised divers Sorts from the Kernel, which are new to the Nurseries. With this I might place the Nectarine or fmooth-coated Peach; for there is not Difference enough between the Nectarine and Peach to make them two Families, in my Opinion, as Mathiolus and Cafalpinus feem to do, by calling the Nectarine Nuciperfica, or Auguilaria Perfica Nux; and Pliny, Nuci Prunum. We have about four or five Sorts of the Nectarines very good in our English Catalogues. The Nectarine, I think, may very well be placed with the Peach; becaufe every Part of the Seed, which I chiefly judge by, is like that of the Peach, as indeed are the other Parts of the Plant.

Of the ALMOND.

HE Almond has many Parts not unlike a

T'Peach; notwithstanding the various De fcriptions fome of the Antients have given of it, it is not more diftant from that Tribe than the Nectarine, nor perhaps fo much; they have made. it a Nut, because the Kernel is edible, and the fleshy Part not to be tafted like the Walnut, or eaten with Pleasure like Peaches: But there are

fome

fome Peaches in our Catalogues, whose fleshy Part is little better in their Tafte and Flavour, tho' their Cafe is more fleshy than the green Covering of the Almond; and then for ought I know, the Kernel is more like that of the Almond. The Kernels of the beft Peaches are bitter, and it is yet uncertain, whether the Kernels of the worft Peaches are not fweet; and I believe that that Uncertainty may be owing in fome measure to the Badnefs of the Peaches; for unless a Man eats the Peach, he will feldom come near enough to the Stone to break it; and if the Flesh of the Peach be not good he lays it afide at the first Tafte, and confiders it no further. Of the Almond, we have feveral Sorts, whofe Nuts differ in their Figure and Tafte. It was a Query put by an Acquaintance of mine lately, whether this was not the Perfica Nux, rather than the Nectarine? The Kernels of those Sorts we receive from abroad, are fome bitter, fome fweet; they are found about Barbary, and in Places about the fame Latitude. In Greek the Fruit is called, αμυγδάλη and ἀμύγδαλον, and in Latin Amygdalum, but the Tree Amygdalus. Some are of Opinion, that Cato spoke of Almonds when he mention'd the Nuces Grace, or Greek Nuts; but others rather tranflate them Walnuts. Columella mentions the Amygdala, and the Nuces Græcæ, as different Nuts; but however this be, the Almond is now called by the Arabians Jauz, Kauz, and Lauzi, the Italians Mandole, the Spaniards Almendres, the French Amandes, the Germans Mandelkern, and the Hollanders Amandel.

of

Of the PLUM TREE and A BRICOT.

HE Greek Name of the Plam is very un

T certain, because the Defcription of the

Plant, which fome antient Authors call xaxxuundia, in fome things is different from thofe Plums we cultivate now in Europe. Theophraftus makes the Plum Tree an Evergreen; and I therefore fufpcct this Plum was rather a kind of Olive, whole Fruit is not much different from a Plum in its Make; and the Olive is evergreen: Or is it not poffible that fome Plum Trees may be ever green, tho' we have not feen them? or perhaps as near a Relation between the Olive and the Plum as there is between the Cherry and the Cherry Bay, or common Laurel, which in their Fruit resemble one another, tho' their Bloffoms are differently fet upon the Trees. The Olive brings its Bloffoms upon Strings, the Plum in another manner; yet the Fruit of both are nearly fhaped alike: So the Laurel orCherry Bay brings its Flowers in Spikes, the Cherry in Clufters, and their Fruit is fhaped alike: Now the Cherry we know will grow upon the Laurel by being budded or graffed upon it, or the Laurel upon the Cherry; both which I have feen, and there is no greater Difference in my Opinion, between the Olive and the Plum; I am perfuaded one may be graffed or budded upon the other with good Success.

But whatever is the nonnuμndia of Theophraftus, the Latin Name is Prunus, and by fome Prunum; the Arabians call it Anas, Avas and Hagias; the Italians Prune and Succine; the Spaniards Prunas, Andrinas and Amexeas; the French call this Tree VOL. II.

C

Prunier,