274 APRICOT. 



shoots of the same year. In the first place, take off close 

 all the irregular fdremost shoots, taking care to retain a 

 competent supply of choice side shoots, with a good leader 

 to each parent branch. Continue these mostly at full length 

 all the Summer, regularly trained in, to procure a sufficiency 

 to choose from in the general Winter pruning, for new 

 bearers the next year. 



If the Summer regulation commences early, while the 

 shoots are quite young, and, as it were, herbaceous, those 

 improper to retain may be detached with the finger and 

 thumb, i but when of firmer growth, they must be removed 

 with the knife. If any very strong shoots rise in any part 

 where the wood is deficient, they may be topped in June? 

 which will cause them to produce several laterals the same 

 year, eligible for training in, to supply the vacancy. 



Sometimes the fruit is much too numerous, if not attacked 

 by insects, often growing in clusters ; in which case thin 

 them while in a young green state, leaving the most pro- 

 minent fruit singly, at three or four inches distance, or from 

 about two to six on the respective shoots, according to their 

 strength. The Apricots so thined off, and the first prin- 

 cipal green fruit, are very fine for tarts. 



SELECT DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF APRICOTS, 



BREDA, Abricot de Hollande, Amande Aveline, Royal Persian Fruit 

 medium size, of a round form, and deep yellow colour ; the pulp is soft 

 and juicy ; the tree a great bearer, and the fruit which ripens early in 

 August, is in great esteem. 



BRUSSELS.. Highly esteemed for its productiveness; fruit medium 

 size, inclining to an oval form ; of a yellow colour, and next the sun co- 

 vered with numerous dark spots ; the flesh is of a greenish yeljow colour, 

 of a brisk flavour; and not liable to become mealy ; ripens in August. 



EARLY ORANGE, Royal George, Royal Orange. The fruit of a medium 

 ize ; of a deep yellow colour, spotted with red or dark purple next the 

 un ; flesh deep orange, succulent and well flavoured ; not perfectly a 

 free stone ; ripens early in August. 



HEMSKIRKE. Fruit middle sized, roundish, slightly compressed; of a 

 bright yellow colour ; flesh tender, juicy, with a particularly rich, deli- 

 fate flavour, resembling that of the Gr^en Gage Plum ; ripe in July. 



