THE KANSAS APRICOT. 107 



able as the former. From all that I can learn of the varieties of the 

 apricot, I am inclined to think that in southern Nebraska the common 

 apricot may be grown in favored places, and that the Russian sorts 

 may be grown somewhat further north. 



Black Apricot ( Prunus (la,sycarpa) . A small, round-topped tree, 

 with much the habit of the common apricot ; leaves thin, dull green, 

 ovate, and more or less tapering at both ends, appressed serrate, hairy 

 on the veins below ; flowers large, white, solitary or in twos, short 

 stalked; fruit globular, somewhat plum-like, hairy, on a short stem, 

 dull dark purple, the red flesh sourish and clinging to the plum-like 

 stone. Original distribution : Not certainly known, but probably in 

 Manchuria. This fruit, which is known also as the Purple apricot, 

 jiossesses but little merit, but is frequently spoken of in horticultural 

 circles. 



Japanese Apricot {Fnoi u.s niume). A small tree, resembling the 

 common apricot, but with a grayer or greener bark and duller foliage ; 

 leaves thickish, grayish green, generally narrower than the common 

 apricot, and long-pointed, more or less hairy along the veins below ; 

 flowers single or in twos, white to rose color, sessile; fruit small, yel- 

 lowish or greenish, the rather hard, dry flesh adhering to the pitted 

 stone. Original distribution : Japan. Professor Bailey, in describing 

 this species, says: "Recently introduced to this country. Its chief 

 representative here is the Bungoume, or so-called Bungo plum. Other 

 forms of this species are Hanahoume, Koume, Gold Dust and Chi- 

 nese apricots." Of the first variety, he says : "The fruit is small and 

 poor, and I do not see sufficient merit in it to make it worth grow- 

 ing." In Japan it is grown for ornamental purposes. 



A KANSAS APRICOT. 



By A. H. Geiesa, Lawrence, Kan. 



The apricot is not generally grown as a profitable market fruit in 

 this country, owing to its uncertain crop, caused partly by the frost 

 injuring its early blossoms, wind-storms droiDping its fruit, and the 

 destructive effects of the curculio. 



The Superb is a chance seedling, which was discovered on the 

 grounds of the Kansas Home nursery, at Lawrence, Kan. [A. H- 

 Griesa, proprietor], among hundreds of Russian seedlings; it being 

 one that happened to have a good chance to produce its fine fruit in 

 an out-of-the-way corner, and when found loaded with fruit was a sur- 

 prise indeed. 



It has been grown with the best the world afiPords, both native and 



