222 



STONE FRUITS. 



These comprise such fruit as apricots, cherries, peaches, 

 nectarines, plums. 



SELECT APRICOTS (Prunus Armeniaca). 



These trees are best worked on apricot root in the warmer and 

 drier districts, as it stands drought fairly well, and is, in moister 

 localities, apt to grow too vigorously. Plum stock stands wet better 

 than the apricot root, has a more dwarfing tendency, and grows 

 fine fruit, but suckers when cultivated too deeply ; the union is 

 sometimes imperfect, and it often produces gumming and the die- 

 back diseases. Peach roots do better on lighter soil, and is generally 

 a good stock to work apricots upon. An ideal apricot district is one 

 which is neither too hot nor too cold, neither too dry nor too wet, 

 but one enjoying just a happy mean. 



NEWCASTLE EARLY, E. The earliest fair size apricot. Ripens 

 a week after Red Masculine, and a fortnight before Oullin's Early 

 Peach. The tree, according to Wickson, is an early, regular, and 

 good bearer ; a medium grower, being rather more upright in its 

 habit than the Royal. Fruit full, medium size, round ; rich golden 

 yellow, with brilliant red cheek in the sun ; freestone ; flavour, sweet 

 and rich ; three times as large as Red Masculine, not quite as large 

 as the Royal, nor quite as rich in flavour. 



OULLIN'S EARLY PEACH, E., of which there is an improved 

 strain. This is an early form of the Peach Apricot ; of large size, 

 most delicious flavour, and ripens three weeks earlier. Like the 

 Peach, a variety from Piedmont ; about 2 inches in diameter ; 

 roundish, rather flattened and somewhat compressed on its sides, 

 with a well-marked suture. Skin yellow in the shade, but deep 

 orange mottled with dark brown on sunny side. Flesh of a fine yellow 

 saffron in colour, juicy, rich, and high flavoured. Stone can be 

 penetrated, like Moorpark, and with a bitter kernel. Strongly 

 resembles the Moorpark ; fruit rather larger, finer, and earlier. 

 Successful in the warmer districts. 



ROYAL, E. A fine large French variety, nearly as large as the 

 Moorpark (when well thinned out) , but with larger leaves forming 

 on long footstalks, and without the pervious stone of that sort ; 

 quite as high flavoured, and ripens a week or ten days earlier. A 

 favourite with the canners, and an excellent variety for drying. 

 One of the leading Californian apricots, being a freestone, of 

 good pale orange colour and flavour, ripening evenly. Fruit, large, 

 roundish oval, and slightly compressed; skin dull yellow, with 

 orange cheek and a shallow suture. 



BLENHEIM, E. (syn. Shipley.) A very good early variety, 

 above medium, oval, orange with a deep yellow, juicy, and tolerably 

 rich flesh ; good grower, and regular prolific bearer. Fruit runs a 

 little larger than the Royal, and is usually better distributed 011 

 the tree, but it must be well thinned. This variety is approved by 

 canners. Ripens a little later than the Royal. 



