98 



The Dictionary of Gardening, 



Apple or Codlin Orab Trap — continued. 

 obnoxious pest, the Apple Grub. The trap (Fig. 128) con- 

 sists of two, three, or more thin pieces of board, 12in. to 

 20in. in length, and 2in. t:) 4in. wide, with a screw (a) 



B, Open. 



A, Shut. 



Fig. 128. Apple or Codlin Grub Trap. 



through their centre. The screw must be long enough to 

 be firmly di-iveu into the trunk of the tree, so as to hold the 

 boards in position. Small slips of wood (6) are inserted 

 between the boards, to keep them sufficiently open to allow 

 of the entry of the grubs, as shown at d. The boards are 

 cut on each side of the screw, as at c, to facilitate their 

 separation when fastened together by the silken threads of 

 the grubs, and to better expose the latter when the trap is 

 opened. This handy trap, which is of American origin, is 

 very cheap. A great number of tliem may be collected 

 with little trouble, submitted to a killing heat, and replaced 

 again ; and they can be used either on the ground or 

 on the trees. As regards killing the grubs when caught, 

 Mr. Weir, the inventor, says : " The quickest and best 

 way is to have a large tin pan, bent in on one side, so 

 as to fit closely to the trunk of the tree. When you reach 

 the tree, drop upon your knees, place the depression in the 

 pan against the trunk of the tree, hold it there by pressing 

 your body against it, and you have both hands free to open 

 the trap. When opening it, many of the pupaj or chi'ysa- 

 lids win fall into the pan. The trap must be tui'ned clear 

 , around, as many will be found between it and the bark. A 

 person will open and kUl the worms in from four hundred 

 to eight hundred traps in a day." 



AFFOSITE. Placed side by side. 



APPROXIMATE, AFFBOXIMATED, AF- 

 FROXIMATINCr. Near together. 



APRICOT (Armeniaca vidganK). The Apricot, or, as 

 it was formerly written, " Abricock," is a much esteemed 

 and luscious fruit. It is said to have been introduced into 

 this country during the reign of Heiu'y VIII. The Apricot 

 is one of the earliest flowering of fruit-ti'ees (see Fig. 129), 

 and is generally in bloom during February. This fact is a 

 great ili'awback, as it is a difficult matter to save the flowers 

 from destruction by the spring winds and frosts. The fruit 

 (see Fig. 130) contains less acid than most stone fruits, and 

 in appearance it is perhaps the handsomest of all. Success 

 with its culture in many gardens is by no means certain, 

 but with careful preparation of borders and protection of 

 the flowers in spring, satisfactory results are often obtained. 

 Large quantities of fruit are annually imported to this 

 country from France ; but their quality and flavour cannot 

 be compared with that of good home-gro\vn produce. 



Propa(jation is effected by seeds or budding. The stones, 

 selected from the best varieties, may be sown as soon as the 

 fruit is ripe, in August or September, in light rich soil, and 



ATfSicot — continued. 

 covered with about 2in. of earth, over which a little litter 

 should be spread during winter. After one season's growth, 

 the plants should be lifted, and the tap roots slightly out 



Fin. 129. Blossom op apricot. 



back if the trees are intended for walls. They should then 

 be planted in nursery lines, allowing about a yard between 

 the rows, and 2ft. from plant to phint. 



Fig. 130. Fruiting Br.\nch of Apricot. 



Budding is tlie most general mode of propagating Apri- 

 cots. They are frequently budded from the beginning to 

 the middle of June on seedling, and also on plum stocks, 

 of whicli latter the Mussell, Saint Julien, Brussels, and 

 Black Damson are the best. For dwarf trees, the stock 

 should be budded about 1ft. from the ground. There are 

 many disadvantages in having a great length of stem. 

 "Eider" trees require a stem from 3^ft. to 6ft.; half-riders, 

 2ift. to 3ft. Grafting by the Wliip method is sometimes em- 

 ployed, but, for many reasons, it is much inferior to Budding. 



Planting, cj-c. South-west and western aspects suit the 

 Apricot best, but the fruit has been ripened in warm 

 localities on waUs facing several points north. Large areas 

 of garden wall (see Figs. 131 and 132), the walls of stables. 



