134 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOdY 



species to wliidi the name /*. sibirica lias \\vvu ^'ivcii. This race 

 differs from the type in having a narrower and darker colored 

 leaf and in bearing smaller and poorer fruits. They are sup- 

 posed to be hardier than the common apricots, but on the grounds 

 of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, 

 New York, they have not proved so. The blossoms come out 

 quite as early as do those of other apricots and are as often 

 caught by frost. The Russian sorts are unique in manner of 

 fruit-bearing, — the small, round, handsome fruits hang in 

 clusters or ropes on the fruit-bearing branches. This race was 

 introduced in the Middle West by the Russian Mennonites soon 

 after the middle of the last century. 



192. Japanese apricots. — The Japanese apricot, P. Mume is 

 more often grown as an ornamental than for its fruit. Two or 

 three varieties are cultivated in the United States for their 

 small yellow fruits, which are so poor in quality, however, that 

 they have little value except as they add variety. This species 

 is more tender to cold than the other two, and the blossoms 

 open so early that there is not much certainty of success north 

 of citrus-fruit regions, though occasional crops are produced as 

 far north as Geneva, New York. The Japanese grow many 

 varieties, gathering the fruits while green for pickling in a salt 

 solution. Even in Japan, however, these apricots are grown for 

 their flowers, the fruits being of secondary importance. A com- 

 parison of the descriptions of the two species shows wherein they 

 differ. 



2. Prunns Mume, Sieb. & Zucc. Tree small, round, spreading, in shape 

 and size resembling the common apricot, but with bark grayish-green and 

 green branchlets. Leaves smaller than those of the common apricot, duller 

 in color, narrower and long-pointed; lower surface pubescent on the 

 veins ; petiole short, % inch, pubescent, glandular ; margin finely serrate ; 

 teeth obtuse. Flowers large, handsome, fragrant, sessile. Fruits small, 

 round, yellow or greenish, flesh firm, dry; poor in quality; stone clinging 

 tightly to the flesh, small, ovate, pitted. 



193. The black apricot grows wild and is cultivated in Man- 

 churia, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Beluchistan. The tree has 

 long been grown in Europe and the United States, but the fruit 

 is small, unattractive in color, and poor in quality. The species 

 is represented only in horticultural collections. In tree and 



