NATURAL REQUIREMENTS 211 



LOCALITIES FOR THE APRICOT 



In discussing localities for the apricot, reference is, of course only 

 made to its growth as a standard orchard tree without protection of 

 any kind. It shows even in California that it does not forget the con- 

 ditions which destroy its thrift elsewhere, for late frosts in our upper 

 coast counties render it, as a rule, unprofitable. Speaking broadly, the 

 quarter of the State lying northward of the Bay of San Francisco and 

 westward of the high ridge of the Coast Range is not suited for com- 

 mercial apricot growing ; though here and there are places where bear- 

 ing may be regular and abundant enough to make trees satisfactory for 

 home gardens. The mountain regions everywhere in the State above 

 an elevation of about 1200 feet are also to be excluded. The lowest 

 lands of the great interior valleys, except here and there, where frosts 

 are prevented by proximity of broad streams of by favoring air currents, 

 are unsuited for apricots, and the bottoms of small valleys whence cold 

 air can not find drainage outlet, are also treacherous. It is evident 

 then, that even in regions of general adaptation to the fruit local dis- 

 crimination must be exercised in selecting lands for apricots, and the 

 occurrence of spring frosts, which are usually governed by topography, 

 must be guarded against. This is not the same problem which arises 

 in the selection of land for citrus fruits, because apricots are not open 

 to injury during December, January and February, and consequently 

 they may be successfully grown in places where winter temperatures 

 might injure the evergreen trees of the citrus family. Still, next to 

 the almond, the apricot is most liable to frost injury of all our decidu- 

 ous tree fruits, and commercial success depends largely upon the selec- 

 tion of a proper place for them. The occurrence of even light frosts 

 during the blooming and setting, or soon after, may strip the tree of its 

 burden of fruit without injury to even the softest of twig and leaf; con- 

 sequently, regular bearing of the apricot can not be expected where 

 the temperature is apt to fall four or five degrees below freezing point 

 during the months of March and April, even though the duration of 

 such temperature may be very brief. For this reason the area of Cali- 

 fornia which is well suited to apricot growing is limited when com- 

 pared with the great area of the State, though when counted by acres 

 it is ample enough to supply all the fresh canned and dried apricots 

 which the markets of the world can be expected to take at profitable 

 figures. 



It is often claimed that situations directly subject to ocean influ- 

 ences are best for the apricot. It is noted by many observers 

 that the apricot "points its best branches to the ocean, in the very teeth 

 of the constant breeze, and the landward limbs and twigs bend up and 

 endeavor to reach the same direction. This is patent in every tree, and 

 in the long orchard rows is very striking." This is taken to signify 

 the special liking of the tree for the vicinity of the coast. It is well 

 enough to interpret it that way, providing one does not lose sight of 

 the perfect success of the apricot in the interior as well. It is true that 

 the fruit near the coast attains higher color, and the less rapid growth 

 of the tree makes it somewhat easier to handle, but the earlier ripen- 

 ing in the interior, coupled with freedom from fog and constant sun- 



