COMMUNICATIONS. 



ORIGIN OF FRUIT. 



BY R. L. PELL, of Pellham, Ulster Co., N. Y. 



I MET the other day five or six fruit growers and agriculturists, one 

 of whom asked from whence the apricot^ cherry ^ apple, plumj &C.5 a» 

 well as different vegetables were deiived. There was some difficulty 

 among them to answer the question, and as it is one that often pre- 

 sents itself to the imagination, when eating a luscious pear, or deli- 

 cious peach, I have taken the pains to overlook authors treating the 

 subject, and from many, Lmnseus among others, have gleaned the fol- 

 lowing, which, with your consent, I will read to you, in order that 

 you may obtain the information in the easiest possible manner, and 

 without labor. 



The Apricot originated in Amenia, from whence it derives its name, 

 Amenian. Linnseus arranges it in his twelfth class, Icosandria Mono- 

 gynia, and includes in the genus the apricot^ cherry, and bird cherry., 

 making them different species of the same genus. I have frequently 

 on that account endeavored to inoculate the cherry upon plum 

 stocks, and apricots upon cherry stocks, but without success. Th? 

 apricot I have inoculated upon various plum stocks successfully. 



It grows and flourishes in Arabia, China, Japan, Asia; and in the 

 vicinity of Pekin they form forests, covering the hills and mountains. 

 Thus far the old varieties are the best, viz: The Orange, Breda, 

 Moorpark and Masculine. They are the sorts originally imported 

 into England as early as 1767. Apricots enjoy a rich, dry soil, well 

 tilled. Before planting a trench should be made about 2^ feet deep, 



