THE APRICOT. 141 



conclusion that the apricot is not adapted to our 

 climate. For modes of destroying them see next 

 chapter. 



VARIETIES. 



These appear to have been less examined than 

 those of most other kinds of fruit. The earliest 

 appear to be the 



Masculine, or Early Masculine. Fruit small, 

 nearly round, an inch and a quarter in diameter, 

 slightly acid, chiefly valuable for its earliness, 

 ripening in seventh month (July.) 



Breda Apricot. Fruit medial size, round, flesh 

 deep yellow, rich, juicy, and good. Like the 

 Orange, which is inferior, it has a sweet kernel ; 

 but differs by the easy separation of the flesh from 

 its stone. 



Peach and Moorpark. Regarded by many as iden- 

 tical, and closely resembling each other.- These 

 varieties are considered as the finest. Fruit large, 

 sometimes two inches in diameter on young trees ; 

 flesh light yellow, approaching to fawn color, melt- 

 ing, full of very sweet and highly perfumed juice. 

 Ripen later than the two preceding, and nearly at 

 the usual time of wheat harvest. 



The Musch, the Royal and the Turkey, are re- 

 garded as excellent sorts. The Black Apricot, 

 though inferior in flavor, is valuable for its perfect 

 hardiness, withstanding the cold of winter on all 

 soils. 



