OF APRICOTS. 



Jtcst. lab. 59. This was introduced from Paris, 

 by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, at 

 Sion-house, in I767. It is the finest and largest 

 of all Apricots, and is generally thought to be the 

 same as the Moor- Park ; but upon a minute ex- 

 amination the leaves will be found to differ. It 

 ripens in August. 



10. Black Apricot. Pom, Franc, l.jo. 36. w. 9- 

 1 6. Pom, Aust. tab, 60. Poit, et Turp, Fr. 

 tab, 19. This has been very lately introduced, by 

 Sir Joseph Banks, from France, in which country 

 it is highly esteemed. 



The trees that Sir Joseph planted in his gardens 

 at Spring Grove, near Hounslow, bore fruit last 

 season, for the first time in this country ; but in 

 consequence of the wet and unfavourable weather, 

 it did not arrive at perfection. * It ripens about 

 the second week in August. 



* Since writing the above, I have had the honour of paying 

 Sir Joseph a visit at Spring Grove, where I had the pleasure of 

 tasting one of these Apricots ; and I think it will prove an ac- 

 quisition well worth cultivating. The black colour of the fruit 

 may, perhaps, prejudice some persons against it; but the flavour, 

 in my opinion, is very good ; and if it be considered, that the 

 wood of 1799 was not well ripened, owing to the wet season, 

 there is little doubt, that next year, if the season should be 

 favourable, the flavour of the fruit will be greatly improved, 

 and continue improving till the tree comes to maturity. The 

 scantiness of the present crop of Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, 

 &c. may be attributed to the wood not being properly ripened 

 last year. 



