464 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Oct. 



i 



{ 



A GKOUP OF APBICOTS. 



In the Farmer of August 18, we said, "we are 

 indebted to Mr. J. Q. A. Wild, of Quincy, 

 M;^.sr,., for a cluster of the most beautiful apricots 

 that we ever saw. Their fragrance is delicious, 

 and our 'mouth is watering' for them while the 

 artist is sketching their fine proportions. We 

 have never seen fruit of this kind so handsome 

 in the Southern States. They measure 6^ inches 

 in circumference one way, and 7^ the other. Will 

 Mr. Wild be kind enough to send us his mode of 

 cultivation, soil requisite, &c., to accompany the 

 engraving which we shall have prepared to illus- 

 trate them ?" 



In compliance with our request, Mr. Wild 

 says, — "I am sorry that I did not send one of the 

 largest ones with them ; for there were a number 

 that were three-fourths of an inch larger ; but as 

 they were not on the cluster, I did not think of 

 sending one. As for the soil and cultivation, they 

 are not different from those necessary for the cul- 

 ture of the pear and other trees. I think their 

 fine gi-owth is owing to the locality. The tree is 

 trained on a trellis on the west side of the house, 

 and sheltered from the northwest winds, and on 

 cold frosty nights in the spring I have been in 

 the habit of covering it with a sheet." 



