358 [THE APRICOT 



beetles are regular parasites in the stems and branches, 



viz: Scolytus Pruni Ratz., 6 1 . rugulosus Ratz., Magdalis 



Pruni Lin., M. Cerasi Lin., M. aterrima Fb. and 

 Phytoecia cylindrical Lin. 



Perhaps the worst enemy of the plum and of the 

 apricot grafted on plum -stock is the beetle Capnodis 

 tenebrionis L., belonging to the family Buprestidae. The 

 larvae of this beetle is known to attack also the base of 

 the trunk of the pear, the quince, the apple, the haw- 

 thorn and the service tree, but unlike the larva of the 

 beetle Cerambyx miles Bon. which is such a dreaded 

 enemy of these trees, it attacks also the base of the stem 

 and the large roots of the wild plum. The larva lives 

 chiefly between the bark and the wood destroying the 

 cambium and ultimately killing the tree. As many as 50 

 larvae have been found under the bark of the same tree, 

 and the destruction of many large apricot and plum 

 plantations is generally due to this insect. The action of 

 this pest is the more dangerous because usually there 

 are no signs of its presence above the ground, and when 

 the tree become unproductive and exudes much gum, the 

 attack is already too far advanced, the tree generally 

 succumbing in a year or two. In localities infested by 

 this pest it is advisable 10 graft the plum on bitter almond 

 stock, and to graft the apricot on apricot seedling, or 

 better to top-graft the apricot on the plum growing on 

 almond stock. 



THE APRICOT. 



Prunus Armeniaca \J\\\,Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. 



Maltese = Berkuka. \ta\.\a.n=Albicocco, Armelino, Crisomolo, Percuoco, 



The Apricot, formerly written apricock, is a na- 

 tive of China, Turkestan and Mongolia as well as of 

 the Caucasus. Its name "berkuka" from which most 



