APRICOTS. , 



Blanc. See White Masculine. 

 Blenheim. See Shipley's. 



BREDA (Atnande Aveline; Aveline; Ananas; De Hollanile ; Has- 

 xelmixmiuiwli'l ; Xmsette). Fruit, below medium size or small, roundish, 

 compressed on the sides, in some cases so much as to be of a four- 

 sided shape ; divided on one side by a deep suture, which extends from 

 the base to the apex, where it terminates in a depression. Skin, deep 

 orange on the shaded side, but deep dull reddish orange, dotted with 

 brown and red dots, on the side next the sun. Stalk, deeply inserted 

 in a narrow cavity. Flesh, deep orange, tender, juicy, rich, and highly 

 flavoured, separating freely from the stone. Stone, small, smooth, 

 and more round than that of any other variety, and without any pervi- 

 ous channel on the back. Kernel, sweet, like that of a hazel nut. 



An excellent early apricot, ripe on walls from the beginning to the 

 middle of August ; but on standards, which bear well in sheltered 

 situations, it does not ripen till September. The tree is a good grower, 

 with pretty strong shoots. 



There is a diversity of opinion among pomologists as to what is the true Breda 

 Apricot. It is evident that the variety here described is not the Breda of Miller 

 and other authors of the last century; nor is it that which is still grown in nur- 

 series at the present lime, for both Roman and Brussels are to be found under the 

 name of Bieda. Knoop says the Breda Apricot is large, and sometimes larger than 

 the Bois-le-Duc, which is the largest of all apricots. It cannot, therefore, be the 

 same as this. In the Horticultural Tour of the Committee of the Caledonian 

 Horticultural Society it is stated, when treating of the horticulture of Breda, " The 

 Breda Apricot is well known and highly esteemed in Scotland, both on account of 

 its large size and fine flavour, &c." The only conclusion I can come to there- 

 fore is, that the large apricot described by Miller, and which was cultivated in the 

 gardens of this country for Breda, was either the Brussels or Orange. The 

 Abricot de Hollande which I now describe has long been cultivated as the true 

 Breda. 



Brown Masculine. See Red Masculine. 



BRUSSELS. Fruit, medium sized, rather oval, flattened on the 

 sides, marked with a suture, which is deep at the base, but diminishes- 

 at the apex. Skin, pale yellow, dotted with white on the shaded side, 

 but red, interspersed with dark spots, next the sun. Flesh, yellow, 

 firm, brisk flavoured, and separating freely from the stone. Stone, 

 small, impervious on the back. Kernel, bitter. 



A good hardy variety, ripe in the middle of August, but the fruit 

 must not be allowed to become too ripe, as it is then pasty. 



The tree is a free grower and an excellent bearer. It is the best to 

 cultivate as a standard, and in favourable situations it produces fruit 

 of finer flavour than when grown against a wall ; but then it is a 

 fortnight later. 



CANINO GROSSO. A fine large apricot, ripening at the same 

 time as Royal. The tree is very robust. 



