APRICOT. 191 



Nectarine. 



The nectarine is a smooth-skinned peach. It is interest- 

 ing to know that peaches have been grown from the seed of 

 nectarines and nectarines from the seed of peaches. The fruit 

 is usually inferior to that of the peach in size, quality and ap- 

 pearance. It is grown the same as the peach but not nearly as 

 successfully, and is liable to the same insects and diseases. It 

 seems to do best in the Pacific Coast states. 



Apricot. 



The apricot is a fruit somewhat intermediate between the 

 peach and the plum. The bark resembles the peach but the 

 leaves are very broad and almost circular. 



Origin. The apricot commonly cultivated in Eastern and 

 European gardens is a native of Asia. Botanically, it is known 

 as Prunus arm.eniaca. The Russian apricot is a hardy form 

 of this species having small fruit. There are a few varieties 

 cultivated that belong to other species but they are of poor 

 quality and of little importance, except the so-called Chinese 

 apricot plum (Prunus simoni) of Asia which is referred to un- 

 der the head of plums. The apricot is as hardy as the peach 

 and thrives under the same soil and climatic conditions but pre- 

 fers a rather heavier, although well drained soil. The apricot 

 is grown in Europe and in a large way in the Pacific Coast 

 states. In the Eastern and Central states it has not been much 

 planted because its early period of flowering makes it sus- 

 ceptible to injury from frost and the liability of its being in- 

 jured by Curculio has made the crop so uncertain that the peach 

 has taken its place. 



Stocks. The apricot may be grown on seedlings of the 

 European plums and on the peach. It is said that apricot stocks 

 are not as good as either of these, especially on land that is 

 liable to be very wet in the spring. Some experience seems to 

 show that the apricot does not work well on the Prunus armeni- 

 aca. 



Planting and pruning. The apricot requires about the same 

 care in planting and pruning as the peach. However, it does 

 not need quite such close pruning but only enough to keep it 

 in good form. 



