THE APRICOT 265 



tropical climate prevails even at relatively high 

 latitudes. There are extensive areas of the Mid- 

 dle and Eastern States, well toward the north, 

 where the apricot tree may be grown without 

 difficulty, but where no fruit can be produced 

 because the blossoms are invariably blasted by 

 the frosts and rains that are sure to come after 

 they are put forth, 



It is obvious, then, that this fruit presents a 

 very specific and unusual problem for the plant 

 developer. 



In case of many other fruits, to be sure, it is 

 desirable to increase hardiness ; but with no other 

 fruit that we have hitherto considered is it so 

 preeminently desirable to focus on this single 

 object. For in the case of no other is there so 

 striking a disparity between the roots and the 

 blossoms as regards the climate to which they 

 are adapted. 



MAKING THE APRICOT HARD^ 



The idea that naturally suggests itself to thi 

 plant developer is that of selective breeding, in 

 which the individuals chosen are those that have 

 shown themselves relatively able to withstand 

 cold and much moisture. 



These, of course, can readily be selected in any 

 region along the outer limits of the apricot's pres- 



