DRUPACEjE 



407 



parts of the flower are cut off by a basal ring of growth, as 

 described in the plums. 



Distribution. — The species is considered to be a 

 native of southern Asia. It is now cultivated in 

 most temperate climates. In the United States, the 

 practice is to graft apricots on to the roots of plum or 

 peach. 



Other Species. — ^There are several other species 

 of apricots besides P. armeniaca, but none of them 

 bear fruit of marketable size. They are generally- 

 planted as ornamentals. Among such are P. sibirica, 

 the Siberian apricot, P. dasycarpa, the purple or black 

 apricot, and P. mume, the Japanese apricot. 



Uses. — ^Apricots are prized as a table 

 fruit, both in the fresh and the dried con- 

 dition. They are usually pitted before 

 they are dried, but may be dried with the 

 skins off or on. "Sulphuring" may pre- 

 cede the dr}dng process proper. Almond 

 oil is derived from the seeds. 



PEACHES 



The common varieties of peaches come 

 from one species — Prunus persica. Some 

 writers place the peach in a separate 

 genus, Amygdalus persica. The latter is 

 the name given to the peach by Linnaeus. 



Stems. — The tree is low, seldom over 

 25 feet in height, broad-topped, and with 

 a scaly, dark brown bark. Young twigs 

 are glossy green. The flower buds of the 

 peach are simple, containing only flowers, or flowers and a 

 few rudimentary leaves; each bud has one, sometimes two, 

 flowers. The flower buds are borne singly or in pairs][with 



Fig. 170. — Twigs 

 of peach (Prunus 

 persica). (After Pad- 

 dock and Whipple.) 



