CHAPTER V. 



THE APRICOT. 



IT is remarkable that a fruit of such excellence as the Apricot and 

 ripening from one to two months before the best early peaches, 

 should be so little known. In its natural character, it is more nearly 

 allied to the plum than the peach, resembling the former in its broad 

 leaf, and in the smooth stone of its fruit ; but downy like the peach, 

 and partaking largely of its flavor and excellence. 



The apricot is budded on seedling apricots, and on peach and 

 plum stocks. Plum stocks are preferred, and are more especially 

 adapted to heavy soils ; on light soils, the hard-shelled almond, and 

 the wild plum, have proved excellent. 



The soil should be deep and dry. Young trees have frequently 

 perished from a wet sub-soil, even where the surface is not unusually 

 moist. On suitable soils, it is as hardy as most early peaches. The 

 trees have been commonly planted in the warmest situations, as on 

 the warm side of buildings, or other sheltered site, facing the hot 

 sun, where they have blossomed early, and as a consequence, the 

 crop has not unfrequently been destroyed by vernal frosts. Hence, 

 a northern or more exposed aspect, would be far preferable. If 

 trained on a building, the eastern side should be especially avoided, 

 as a hot morning sun upon frosted buds would be nearly certain 

 destruction. 



The liability to the attacks of the curculio, and the very common 

 destruction of the whole crop by this insect, has led to the erroneous 

 conclusion that the apricot is not suited to our northern climate. 

 Several cultivators, as far north as forty-three degrees of latitude, by 

 a systematic destruction of this insect, and by selecting a dry 

 sub-soil, often obtain heavy 'crops of this delicious midsummer 

 fruit. The mode of protection is fully described in the chapter on 

 insects. 



