FRUITS. VARIETIES AND CULTURE. 357 



WINTER VARIETIES. 



Summerour. Camak's Sweet. 



Van Buren. Great Unknown. 



Mangum. Webb's Winter. 



Cedar Falls. Mountain Belle. 



Elarkee. Gladney's Red. 



APRICOT. (Prunus Armeniaca,) 



The apricot is a fruit somewhat resembling both the 

 plum and the peach. The tree is ornamental as well as 

 useful ; larger than the plum, with glossy, heart-shaped, 

 large leaves and white blossoms, which appear so early 

 that they are usually killed by spring frosts. But, as with 

 the nectarine, the great obstacle to its culture is the cur- 

 culio, which may be treated as in the case of that fruit. 

 In favorable seasons, the apricot is very productive. The 

 apricot is a native of Armenia and other parts of Central 

 Asia. In quality it is second only to the peach, but, 

 coming earlier, it is very acceptable. 



For jellies, tarts, and preserving in brandy or sugar, it 

 is much esteemed, and is excellent when dried as directed 

 for the peach. The apricot is generally budded on the 

 plum stock ; it is sometimes propagated on its own root, 

 and also upon the peach. The plum is the hardier stock, 

 and makes the better tree. It may be root-grafted on the 

 Chickasaw plum. Those propagated by seed are usually 

 very hardy and productive. On the peach stock, the tree 

 is liable to be destroyed by the borer, and the fruit is 

 inferior. 



Apricots are apt to bloom so early in the spring that it 

 is best to plant them in a northern exposure, where they 

 will be retarded in blooming ; by the side of a building, 



