VARIETIES OF APRICOTS 



317 



not have the several serious faults of Moorpark. In addition to 

 the variety, there seem to be two quite dis- 

 tinct strains of Royal in California. The 

 Derb}^ Royal is like the type variety, but is 

 two weeks earlier. White Royal is lighter 

 in color and flesh ; this strain is not liked 

 by canners. Royal and Blenheim are al- 

 most indistinguishable, though the latter is 

 larger. The variety is an old European sort. 



Fig. 141. Royal. 



Tree large, vigorous, regular in bearing large crops which ripen uni- 

 formly. Fruit midseason; large, oval, sides compressed; suture shallow 

 but distinct; color yellow or orange with orange cheek tinged with red 

 with a few red dots; flesh rich, dull, yellow, firm, juicy, vinous; very good 

 in quality; stone large, free, round-oblong, thick, rough; kernel bitter. 



493. Blenheim (Fig. 142). Shipley.— 

 Blenheim is one of the popular apricots in 

 California for canning, standing in popular- 

 ity next to Royal, which it closely resembles. 

 It is grown in every apricot section of the 

 state. This is an old sort raised by a Miss 

 Shipley, Blenheim, England. Loose and 

 Knobel are selected strains growing in Santa 

 Clara Yalley, California. 



Fig. 142. Blenheim. 



Tree vigorous, a regular and productive bearer, hardy. Fruit midseason; 

 2 inches in diameter, round-oblong or round-oblate, sides compressed ; suture 

 well marked, deep at cavity; apex rounded; color golden-orange with a 

 deep red blush; pubescence short, fine, obscure; stem very short; skin thin, 

 tender, free; flesh deep yellow or orange, juicy, mild, sweet but not rich; 

 stone of medium size, flat, ovate, free or clinging somewhat; pervious chan- 

 nel; kernel bitter. 



494. Large Early Montgamet. — This is probably a European 

 sort renamed. It is offered for sale by California nurserymen 

 and is to be found occasionally in eastern America. 



Fruit early; large, 2 inches or more in diameter, round-oval, sides com- 

 pressed, irregular, ribbed, truncate; cavity large and deep; suture distinct, 

 dividing a prominent swollen ridge; color rich yellow or orange, mottled or 

 blushed with red; flesh deep yellow, juicy, firm, sAveet, rich; quality very 

 good; stone large, free, nearly as broad as long, thick, rough, very dark 

 in color; kernel sweet. 



