OF POPUAR APRICOTS 219 



twelve years ago, and the disposition is to restrict planting to a few 

 old varieties. There is, however, still a need of new varieties combin- 

 ing size, quality and regular bearing. 



VARIETIES OF FOREIGN ORIGIN 



Large Early. A French variety ; fruit of medium size, rather oblong and 

 compressed; suture deep, skin slightly downy; pale orange in the shade, fine 

 bright orange with a few ruddy spots in the sun; flesh separating readily from 

 the stone, orange colored, rich and juicy; kernel bitter. This variety is especially 

 popular in the southern coast counties, but in most situations has proved an 

 uncertain bearer. Ripens before Royal. 



Wiggin's Seedling. Favored in Winter's district as best of early apricots; 

 good size, fine color, solid red cheek, good bearer; ten days earlier than Royal. 



Early Golden. Origin unknown; small, roundish oval, with suture well 

 marked and extending half way round; skin smooth, pale orange; flesh yellow, 

 moderately juicy and sweet, with very good flavor; separates from the stone. 

 This variety is reported favorably from some counties, but generally otherwise, 

 and is not largely grown. Ripens before Royal. 



Royal. A French variety, and at the present time the leading California 

 apricot. Of large size (when well thinned out), free stone, fine color and flavor, 

 good bearer, and fruit ripens evenly, when well grown ; a favorite with the 

 canners, and an excellent variety for drying. Fruit roundish, large, oval, slightly 

 compressed ; skin dull yellow with orange cheek, very faintly tinged with red, and 

 a shallow suture; flesh pale orange, firm and juicy, with a rich vinous flavor. 



The Derby Royal is grown in the Winter's district; like the standard Royal 

 but two weeks earlier. 



There is a variety somewhat grown in Sacramento and Solano counties, some- 

 times called "White Royal," which is not liked by canners, because of its lack of 

 color and flavor. 



Large Early Montgamet. Large, orange yellow, reddish on sunny side, firm. 



Oullin's Early. Early form of Peach apricot, large size, delicious flavor. 

 Ripens in Amador county four weeks earlier than Peach. 



_ Luizet. Large, oval, distinct suture, one side higher than the other; orange 

 with crimson cheek; flesh deep yellow, firm, rich. Especially approved in the 

 upper San Joaquin. 



' Blenheim or Shipley. This is a valuable variety in this State, standing next 

 to Royal in popularity; was described by John Rock as follows: "A very good 

 variety, above medium, oval; orange, with a deep yellow, juicy and tolerably 

 rich flesh; vigorous grower and regular, prolific bearer." This behavior of the 

 variety was demonstrated fully in the University orchard at Berkeley, where it 

 was for years the! best of twenty varieties. It is now popular in all parts of the 

 State. Fruit runs a little larger than the Royal, and is usually better distributed 

 on the tree, but it must be well thinned. This variety has been approved by 

 canners. Ripens a little later than the Royal. 



Alberge de Montgamet. Large and handsome, late, grown in Vacaville 

 district. 



Early Moorpark. Very popular in Southern California, where its identity has 

 been long in dispute, and is not yet fully determined. The Early Moorpark of 

 Thomas Hogg is as follows : Roundish, inclining to oval, with very deep suture 

 on one side, extending from base to apex. Skin yellow, mottled, and dotted with 

 crimson on the exposed side. Flesh in all respects resembling Moorpark. Stone 

 oblong, with a covered channel along the back, which is pervious. Kernel bitter. 

 Ripens three weeks earlier than Moorpark. 



^St. Ambroise. Large, early, compressed, deep yellow, reddish on sunny side. 

 Juicy, rich, and sugary, with firm flesh when grown in the interior; apt to be 

 coarse and to lack flavor near the coast. Condemned by canners for not process- 

 ing well, and by dryers for loss of weight and for white color around the pit. It 

 has served well as a shipping variety. 



