THE APRICOT AND NECTARINE 



These two fruits are little known in the North 

 and are seldom seen in our markets except in a dried 

 state. This may be from the fact that as commonly 

 grown the trees are short lived, and the fruit is of 

 rather poor quality. 



THE APRICOT 



The apricot is thought by some botanical authori- 

 ties to be a cross or hybrid between the European plum, 

 Prunus domestica, and the peach, Pruniis Persica, and 

 by others to be a distinct species. It matters little to 

 the practical grower which view is correct. 



I incline to the latter theory, as its specific fea- 

 tures are as marked as many of the most distinct 

 species of other plants, and it is a question at what 

 time all species of plants may have been evolved by 

 the process of hybridization or environment to their 

 present condition. I have never known either the apri- 

 cot or nectarine to produce plants from seed other 

 than their specific types, though I have grown many 

 seedlings of both. 



As grown in the Eastern States the fruit is not of 

 as good quality as that from California, but in a warm 

 soil, rather thin, with a full exposure to the west, the 

 trees grow rapidly, and with proper thinning, pruning 

 and spraying very satisfactory results may be obtained. 



The peach stock is most largely used upon which 

 to bud these fruits. The plum stock is recommended 

 for heavy soil, but I know of no case where the apricot 



