CHAPTER II 



THE APRICOT 



By OWEN THOMAS 



When one realises that this valuable fruit has been with us for a matter of 

 nearly four hundred years, having been introduced into Britain from Italy 

 by Wolf (gardener to King Henry the Eighth), in the year 1524, it does 

 seem incredible that its merits, especially as an article of commerce, have not 

 been more fully recognised, and its great possibilities in this direction more 

 developed. We cannot here shelter ourselves under the plea that the climate 

 of France (from wrhere ten times as many apricots as we grow are exported 

 to Britain) is so much better suited to the growth of this fruit tree than 

 that of England. The contrary is the case, and if further proof is needed it 

 is to be found in the fact that English-grown apricots, if delivered in good 

 condition, realise in the market at least 20 per cent, more than do the French, 

 yet as an article of commercial value this fruit has received scarcely any 

 attention, nor have its possibilities in this way been turned to practical use 

 by our horticulturists. As one item that goes to make up the importance of 

 the minor industries associated with the land in this country, the apricot, I 

 am well convinced, is deserving of more serious consideration. 



A wall with a warm aspect is necessary to grow it to perfection. Where walls 

 are non-existent, I should certainly not recommend expensive brick ones to be 

 built for this purpose ; but what I would recommend to those who wish to 

 make money out of their gardens is to plant an apricot tree against every 

 available inch of warm wall they may have about their premises, whether it 

 is a wall of the house in which they live, or the buildings by which this is 

 surrounded. I may say that it has been proved beyond doubt, and the fact 

 is now generally admitted, that in the south of England there are miles of 

 garden walls planted with varieties of pears, that would succeed much better 

 planted out in open quarters than against warm walls. They might well make 

 room for the more remunerative apricot. The hardy variety "Breda" will 

 succeed well as a bush or standard in warm and sheltered positions in the open 

 garden in the south of England, and deserves to be more extensively cultivated 

 in this way. Before the trees are planted the borders should be deeply trenched 

 and well manured, in order to be able to maintain not only the vigour and 

 fertility of the fruit trees, but also the surface crops, such as early vegetables and 

 salads. 



Planting. — The apricot is supposed to be a native of Armenia, and, like 

 the peach, loves all the natural heat and light we can give to it ; therefore, 



