4 8 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



stock; all other sorts on the Black Damask or St. Julien. All apricots " take " on the 

 Brompton stock, but it is liable to canker and is not lasting. Budding is usually done 

 from the middle to the end of July, when the bark with the bud can be readily 

 detached from the wood. For dwarf trees the buds should be inserted 6 inches 

 from the ground, never more than 9 inches, as when budded at 1 foot, the trees have 

 too long stems, occasioning a loss of wall surface. Standard or rider trees should be 

 budded at the height required. The buds selected for insertion must be wood buds. 



Grafting. Success depends entirely on the selection of scions with wood buds, ripe 

 wood, and keeping the buds dormant until the sap rises freely in the stocks. Scions 

 should be detached in January, and inserted half their length in moist sand at the 

 foot of a wall with a north aspect. Whip-grafting is the most eligible method. In 

 preparing the scions the wood should be well thinned away, and, after insertion, 

 binding, waxing, or claying, success will be better assured by wrapping the stem of 

 the stock and covering the pigment with damp moss, or placing soil against the stem as 

 high as the top of the clay. This will cause the sap to rise freely, and when the scion 

 has united with the stem, the wrapping or earthing can be removed. Grafting is seldom 

 practised, budding being a much safer and better method to pursue. 



SITUATION AND ASPECT. 



Except in specially warm soils and situations, apricots do not succeed as standards 

 or bushes in the open. The blossom, though comparatively hardy, is liable to be 

 destroyed by spring frosts, and the tender fruit is even more susceptible of injury from 

 cold. In late springs the blossom and incipient fruits have a better chance, through 

 the foliage being more advanced and protective, but the chief cause of failure is 

 imperfectly developed buds and immature wood. Crops on standard trees can only be 

 relied on in exceptional situations and seasons, those occurring favourably to the apricot 

 " about twice in seven years " (Eivers). 



The great bane to the apricot is damp. It seems to take every opportunity of 

 showing its detestation of moisture-laden air. Sheltered nooks it may grow in, but it 

 is there marked by a luxuriant crop of leaves and soft spray. On farmhouses and 

 detached cottages trees may be seen covered with golden fruit, whilst those on the 

 warm, sheltered walls of gardens are strong in growth and gum, but sparse in fruit. 

 Indeed, the apricot loves air and light ; the situation can hardly be too open, yet it must 

 be exposed to the sun. 



