THE APRICOT. 433 



highly attractive object in early spring, as its charming flowers are the 

 first to expand. It forms a fine spreading tree of about twenty feet in 

 height, and is hardy enough to bear as an open standard south of the 

 42d degree of latitude in this country. 



The native countries of this tree are Armenia, Arabia, and the higher 

 regions of Central Asia. It is largely cultivated in China and Japan ; 

 and, indeed, according to the accounts of Grosier, the mountains west of 

 Pekin are covered with a natural growth of apricots. The names by 

 which it is known in various European countries all seem to be cor- 

 ruptions of the original Arabic term J3erkoclie. 



USES. A very handsome and 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 ; and it is also 

 dried for winter use. In some parts of Germany, the free-bearing sorts 

 the Turkey ; Orange, and Breda are largely cultivated for this pur- 

 pose. 



CULTIVATION. This tree is almost always budded on the plum stock 

 (on which in July it takes readily), as it is found more hardy and du- 

 rable than upon its own root. Many nurserymen bud the apricot on the 

 peach, but the trees so produced are of a very inferior quality short 

 lived, more liable to diseases, and the fruit of a second-rate flavor. 

 Budded on the plum they are well adapted to strong soils, in which 

 they always hold their fruit better than in light sandy soils. 



Apricots generally grow very thriftily, and soon make fine heads, and 

 produce an abundance of blossoms and young fruit ; but the crop of 

 the latter frequently falls off when half grown, from being stung by the 

 plum-weevil or curculio, to which the smooth skin of this fruit seems 

 highly attractive. To remedy this, the same course must be pursued as 

 is directed for the plum. Seedling apricots are usually more hardy and 

 productive here than the finer grafted sorts. 



This is a favorite tree for training on walls or espaliers, and, in town, 

 gardens especially, we often see it trained against the sides of brick 

 houses, and yielding most abundantly. As it bears its fruit in the same 

 way as the peach, and requires the same management, we must refer oiw 

 readers to the latter head for direction as to pruning and training. As, 

 the apricot, however, expands its blossoms very early, it should not be 

 placed on an east wall, or in a situation where it is too much exposed- 

 to the full morning sun. 



DISEASES. When budded on the Plum, this tree is but little liable 

 to diseases, and may be considered a hardy fruit-tree. In order to. 

 render it fruitful, and keep it for a long time in a productive state, we- 

 cannot too strongly urge the advantages of the shortening-in system of 

 pruning recommended for the peach. 



ALBERGIER. 

 Alberge. 



This is a variety very common in the interior of France, where it is 

 constantly reproduced with but little variation from the seed Alberge 

 being the name of the apricot in some of the provinces. It is a free 

 grower, and bears well, but is neither so large nor fine as many other 



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