MOST GENERALLY ESTEEMED. 45 



one of the best stocks for it. Some use the peach, which answers 

 very well on light, sandy soils, but generally gives too much ten- 

 dency to wood growth, rather than producing fruit. The seeds grow 

 readily, and pits from isolated trees often produce very good sorts ; 

 few, however, ever get into notice, from not surpassing the parent in 

 size, although often proving more hardy and productive. Budding 

 into the limbs of a standard peach, or plum tree, has been thought 

 to add hardihood to the apricot. 



Soil and Diseases. Deep, strong, loamy, but not wet soils, are best 

 adapted to successful fruiting the apricot, although they are often 

 grown readily and beautifully on light sand. In the latter case, how. 

 ever, it requires mulching or free watering, otherwise the tree ripens 

 its wood and drops its fruit before fully matured. 



The diseases belonging to the apricot as a tree are only the result 

 of exposure, as stated previously ; but the fruit is a favorite of the 

 curculio, and frequently destroyed ere half grown. Trees trained 

 against buildings and near walks are often exempt from attacks of 

 this insect. 



Uses. " A very handsome arwl delicious dessert fruit, only inferior 

 to the peach, ripening about Midsummer, after cherries and before 

 plums, at a season when it is peculiarly acceptable. For preserving 

 in sugar or brandy, for jellies or pastries, it is highly esteemed, and, 

 where it is abundant, an admirable liquor is made from the fruit ; it 

 is also dried for winter use." It is also used, when partially grown, 

 in the preparation of tarts. 



VARIETIES. 



CLASS I. Most generally esteemed. 



BREDA. 



Amande Aveline, I Ananas, I Hasselnussmandel. 

 De Hollande, | Persique, | 



This old variety withstands severe frosts in Spring, is hardy as a tree, a 

 good grower, productive although small, and hangs well, even alter ripe. 

 Fruit, small, roundish, often approaching four-sided ; suture, well marked ; 

 skin, orange, becoming rich, brownish orange in the sun ; Jlc.sh. deep orange, 

 parting freely from ihe stone, juicy, rich, and high-flavored ; stone, smal.l, 

 roundish, compressed ; kernel sweet. Season, first of August. 



HEMSKIRKE. 



A foreign variety, ripening at same time as the peach apricot. Tree very 

 short-jointed wood. Fruit, above medium, roundish, compressed ; skin, 

 orange, with a brownish red cheek : Jlesh, bright, clear orange, tender, 

 juicy, rich flavor; stone, small: kernel, partially bitter. Season, last of 

 July. 



