APRICOTS. 



171 



by one at those points which formed the axils of the leaves the 

 previous year ; the fruit is round, very slightly compressed, of 

 moderate size, measuring from thirteen to fifteen lines in its 

 greatest diameter, and supported on peduncles of four to five 

 lines in length ; the skin is a violet red, very dark or blackish, 

 on one side somewhat velvety, and is marked by a longitudi- 

 nal line, which extends from the insertion of the peduncle to 

 the summit of the fruit; this line is only remarkable for its 

 colour, but does not form a distinct groove ; the flesh is reddish, 

 especially that part which is near the skin, the residue is yellow 

 or a brownish-fawn colour and strongly adheres to the stone ; 

 the flavour is sweet, not very rich, and is sometimes attend- 

 ed with a small degree of bitterness or sharpness, similar to 

 that of particular Damask plums ; the stone considerably re- 

 sembles that of a plum, and is seven and a half to eight lines 

 in length, and six and a half to seven in breadth, and termi- 

 nates in an acute point ; the sides are compressed, and one is 

 rather more convex than the other ; the period at which the 

 fruit ripens is later than that of most other varieties, being 

 usually the latter part of August, and sometimes the first of 

 September. It is both pleasant and peculiar, but I have not 

 found the tree to bear well, perhaps however it may in a difier- 

 ent climate ; it has altogether a wild and uncultivated aspect, 

 being the natural variety of a species distinct from other apri- 

 cots, but we may expect similar improvements in the seminal 

 varieties that will be produced from it, to those which have re- 

 sulted from a like course with the other species : and it is sin- 

 gular that experiments in this respect have not been already 

 made, as it is by the varieties of this species that we may be 

 enabled to extend the successful culture of the apricot much 

 farther to the north, for it is my belief that this species will 

 support the winters of Lower Canada. 



