166 euist's family kitchen gardener. 



tive of China and Japan, growing in great abundance on the 

 dry mountains of those countries. Some travelers also men- 

 tion of its being found in Egypt. The fruit is much esteemed 

 for making marmalades, jellies, and preserves. In its plain 

 state it is considered wholesome and strengthening. In Europe 

 it attains to very great perfection, though with us it never ap- 

 pears to grow to that size we have so frequently seen it there. 

 A Moorpark Apricot, twelve inches in circumference, is a very 

 imposing fruit, compared with the nut-like productions usually 

 seen in our markets. It ripens at a very desirable period of 

 the season, between the period of the late Cherries and early 

 Peaches. We introduce the following as the best sorts : 



Breda. — A small fruit, about four inches in circumference, 

 very abundant, round form, deep brown-orange color, with a 

 few blush spots towards the sun. Flesh deep orange, separat- 

 ing from the stone ; flavor good, kernel sweet, which is a dis- 

 tinguishing character in this variety. 



Hcmskirke. — Fruit medium size (two inches diameter), of a 

 round form, color bright orange. Flesh dark orange ; flavor 

 very juicy and rich. Tree of vigorous growth and an abundant 

 bearer. 



Moorpark. — It is admitted that this variety is the best of the 

 family, and is universally cultivated. I have seen a tree of this 

 sort that covered a wall sixteen feet high and one hundred feet 

 long. Its growth in this climate is not so free as the former, bat 

 it is a greater bearer, and always produces a crop. Size, the 

 largest from two to four inches in diameter ; color pale yel- 

 low ; form round-oval ; flesh bright orange ; separating freely 

 from the stone ; flavor very rich. Growth strong ; eyes close ; 

 foliage large. Delights in a deep, sandy loam. Ripe about the 

 middle of July. The whole of this class of fruits ripen in 

 this month, with us ; but if picked before being fully ripe and 

 put into an ice-house they will be in eating two weeks longer. 



Peach Africot or Ahricot 'peche^ of the French. — There is 

 very little difference between this variety and the former ; in- 



