Tlic Apricot. 



97 



cause of this disease is also unknown, and the only pre- 

 ventive measure is the one described for the j-ellows (121). 



D — THE APKICOT 



126. Tlie apricot (Prunics Armeniaca) resembles to a cer- 

 tain extent both the peach and plum. The fruit, which ripens 

 earlier than either the peach or plum, resem- 

 bles the peach, but is smoother, has rich, yel- 

 low flesh and a large, flat, smooth stone. The 

 leaves are roundish and pointed; the tree re- 

 sembles the peach tree in size and form. 



The apricot is used for dessert, for canning 

 and for drying. It is extensively evaporated 

 in parts of California. 



127. Cultural ran§:e. The apricot can be 

 grown in about the same localities as the 

 peach, but requires a somewhat stronger soil 

 and more careful treatment, as it is more sub- 

 ject to damage from frost and insects. It is 

 grown commercially to some extent in the 

 Eastern and middle states, but chiefly in Cali- 

 forjiia. 



128. Fruiting habit. The apricot bears its 

 flowers oil either side of the leaf buds on 

 young shoots, like the peach, and also on 

 short spurs from the preceding year's growth, 

 like the plum (Fig. 34). The flowers expand 

 very early in spring and hence are especially 



^"'" **■ liable to be injured by frost. The trees com- 

 mence bearing at 3 or 4 years old, and under the best con- 

 ditions, are nearly or quite as productive as the peach tree. 



* Fruiting wood of apricot. S S, spurs. 



