330 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



vated varieties may be budded or grafted on all the species of the plum, 

 and it buds well on the peach. In New York, seedlings of the Domestica 

 plums are preferred for stocks, but in the prairie States the seedlings of 

 our native plum (Prunus Americana) are preferred, setting the trees in 

 orchard quite deeply on dry soil. If the seedlings are transplanted 

 prior to budding or grafting to give a good root system, the native stocks 

 have supported the tops of full-grown trees better than any other stocks 

 yet tested. In Southern California commercial growers almost in- 

 variably use peach stocks, mainly for two reasons: (1) the peach roots 

 are best adapted to the light soils, where this fruit does best; (2) 

 the peach roots are not as apt to be eaten by rodents as are those 

 of the apricot or plum. 



The main drawback to the profitable growing of the Apricot where 

 the Peach succeeds comes from the early blossoming of all varieties, 

 thus exposing the ovaries to spring frosts, and the fondness of the 

 curculio for its fruit. In a few cases the writer has observed a positive 

 increase of crop by spraying with milk of lime in midwinter and again 

 prior to blossoming. The white color seems to retard the blossoming 

 quite materially, and the lime appears to lessen the attacks of the 

 curculio. In addition the spraying with arsenite of lime solution 

 (156) just as the buds begin to expand is a decided gain in lessening 

 the damage by 'curculio and some other insects. 



LEADING VARIETIES OF THE APRICOT. 



Alexander. Medium to small, oblong, flattened somewhat at ends, 

 color light orange-yellow with show of color in the sun. Flesh tender, 

 juicy, sweet, quality good. Tree hardier than most varieties. Quite 

 popular in Oregon. Russia. 



Alexis. Large to very large, yellow, with red cheek. Flesh 

 subacid, very good. Season middle of July. Quite widely grown, and 

 popular as far south as Maryland. Russia. 



Blenheim. Size medium to large, oval; color orange, with scale- 

 like spots; cavity deep; suture distinct; apex somewhat depressed. 

 Flesh yellow, firm, free from the stone; quality very good. Popular 

 in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. 



Boston (Boston Nectarine). As grown at Springfield, Illinois, this 

 description is given: "Large, deep yellow, with bright blush. Flesh 



