THE APRICOT. Ill 



the plum, but the flavor is more like that of the peach. 

 Its large white blossoms appear early in spring, and 

 render the tree very attractive, but the young fruit is 

 often killed by frost. The apricot should be planted near 

 the house with a northern exposure, as a protection 

 against the frosts of early spring. It is propagated by 

 budding or grafting on the peach, almond, plum, or its 

 own roots. The plum is by some considered the b^st 

 stock, especially so when the trees are to be planted on 

 heavy soil, but peach stocks are generally preferred. 

 Hardy and productive trees are sometimes raised from 

 the seed. The directions given for cultivating, manuring, 

 pruning and training the peach apply as well to the 

 apricot. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF VAEIETIES. 



BREDA. 

 Small, roundish, sometimes rather four-sided, one of 

 the best varieties ; free stone, yellow flesh, ripens early. 

 Originated in Africa. 



BLACK. 



Small and round, resembling a dark round plum ; skin 

 pale red in the shade, but reddish purple in the sun, cov- 

 ered with slight down ; flesh red next the skin, yellow 

 near the stone, adhering to the stone somewhat, juicy 

 and pleasantly flavored ; very hardy, small oval foliage. 

 June. 



EARLY GOLDEN. 



f Free stone, medium size, roundish oval, skin light 

 orange, flesh yellow and juicy; tree vigorous grower; 

 ripens early in June. 



HEMSKIRKE. 



Large, roundish, resembles Moorpark; orange skin 



