286 Bulletin 71. 



much larger and looser pit, and have a drier flesh. Probably Al- 

 exander is mixed with this in our orchard. 



Alexander. — About a week or ten days later than Catherineand 

 Budd. Fruit small, oblong, and flattened, orange-yellow, with a 

 faint blush cheek, the flesh firm and rather coarse. Pit larger 

 and loose. This and the late form of Nicholas, mentioned above, 

 seem to be the same thing. About the season of the Breda, 

 with us. 



Gibb. — Three or four days later than Catherine and Budd, and 

 somewhat larger, oblong and flattened. Color a light lemon or 

 white-yellow, with only a trace of color in the cheek. Flesh 

 juicy and tender, but lacking in flavor, and somewhat acid. Pit 

 rather large and loose. 



These five are the only Russian varieties which we have fruited. 

 None of them are as good either in quality or size, as Royal, 

 Breda, Early Golden, and other varieties. 



Some four years ago I made an inquiry into the history and 

 merits of the Russian apricots, and the conclusions of that inves- 

 tigation* are still correct, so far as I know. 



1. The Russian apricot is somewhat hardier than the peach, 

 and may be expected to endure the climate a degree or two north 

 of the peach belt. 



2. It blooms early (like the common apricot) and is liable to 

 injury from late spring frosts. 



3. Seedlings vary widely', and many of them are worthless. 



4. The fruit, even of the best sorts, is much inferior to that 

 of the older and better known varieties of apricots. 



5. There is promise of considerable improvement in the varie- 

 ties under proper care and selection. 



6. The fruit is particularly liable, in common with other apri- 

 cots, to the attacks of the curculio, and in the West to the attacks 

 of the plum gouger. 



7. In general, it appears that on the northern limits of peach 

 culture, the best varieties of Russian apricot are worth cultiva- 

 tion on a limited scale, but they cannot compete with other apri- 

 cots in places where the latter can be grown. 



* American Garden, xi. 645, 



