48 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



too uncertain to be depended upon as a crop in most parts of our country ; but if 

 situations were chosen, such as are generally selected by apricot growers in Persia, 

 Italy, and France, it would be found to flourish just as well here as there. It does 

 not require warm countries, neither should the climate be very cold. But always 

 plant on your high hill-sides ; on mountains, if you have them. And if in such a 

 situation that the sun shall not strike the trees until an hour or more after rising, so 

 much the better ; frost on the blossoms would then have time to evaporate, and the 

 heat of the sun's rays could do no injury. 



In the cultivation of the Apricot as a market fruit, much of its value will 

 depend upon the perfection of its ripening upon the tree. Like the Green Gage and 

 other superior plums, it should remain upon its native- stem until the exact time has 

 come no pulling to take it off, only gently coaxing. During the last two or three 

 days that such fruits hang upon the trees, before they become what is called dead 

 ripe, they increase greatly in size, and the richness and beauty of their colors 

 are then fully developed. Fruits thus perfectly ripened are always wholesome, and 

 are as superior to those picked prematurely, as the blackberry which surrenders to a 

 touch is to the one torn off when only red. 



Some may suppose that such fully ripe apricots, plums, or nectarines, cannot 

 be carried any distance to market. That will depend upon the packing. They 

 must not be bruised, of course ; and if that is guarded against it will be found that 

 fruit fully ripened will keep better than that gathered prematurely. It will not 

 wilt, and is not so liable to rot. Small baskets are best. I had them made one foot 

 long by six inches wide and four deep. Two, side by side, made a square. Two on 

 the top of these, crossing them, and then two more the six going together brick- 

 fashion made a very convenient package for a small-sized square crate. Two rows 

 of the Moorpark Apricots, packed with intermediate layers of their own leaves, 

 would nearly fill one of these baskets level with the top, and fifty apricots were the 

 usual allowance. The six baskets contained about half a bushel. The crates were 

 made entirely of slats, the lids fitted with hinges and locks. If carefully managed 

 they will last for years. Some crates were made double this size, to contain two 

 packages of six baskets each. 



Few sights in the markets are more refreshing than the opening of such crates 

 filled with perfectly ripe Moorpark Apricots, picked the day before. The extra 



