212 Varieties of the Apricot. 
canners for not processing well, and by dryers for loss of weight and for 
white color around the pit. It has served well as a shipping variety. 
Bergettii—An undetermined variety introduced by Mr. Bergetti and 
widely distributed under his name in the San Joaquin. Closer comparison 
may prove it to be St. Ambroise. 
Hemskirke.—A fine English variety quite widely grown in California; 
ripens later than Royal, described by Downing as follows: ‘‘ Fruit large, 
roundish, but considerably compressed or flattened on its sides; skin orange, 
with red cheek; flesh bright orange, tender, rather more juicy and sprightly 
than the Moorpark, with rich, lucious, plum-like flavor; stone not perforate, 
rather small, and kernel bitter.’’ Esteemed in California because the tree 
is more hardy and a more regular bearer than the Moorpark, and the fruit 
ripens evenly on both sides. 
Feach.—A variety from Piedmont of the largest size, about two 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 brown on the sunny side; flesh of a fine yellow, saffron color, 
juicy, rich, and high flavored; stone can be penetrated like Moorpark and 
has bitter kernel. This is a very successful sort in the warmer parts of the 
State especially, and is a favorite in the Sacramento Valley. It ripens just 
ahead of the Moorpark. 
Moorpark.—A standard of excellence and an old variety which origi- 
nated in England. Fruit large, roundish, about two inches and a quarter in 
diameter each way; rather larger on one side of the suture than on the other; 
skin orange in the shade, but deep orange or brownish red in the sun, 
marked with numerous dark specks and dots; flesh quite firm, bright 
orange, parting free from the stone, quite juicy, with a rich and luscious 
flavor; stone peculiarly perforated along the back, where a pin may be 
pushed through; kernel bitter. In California the Moorpark reaches grand 
size, but has the fault of ripening unevenly in most localities. The tree is 
tender and bears irregularly, which leads to its rejection by most planters, 
though some growers cling to it because of its size and quality and occa- 
sional grand crops. The San Jose districts lead in the production of this 
variety, and in some parts of the Santa Clara Valley the Moorpark seems 
to ripen uniformly. The same behavior is reported from localities in the 
upper San Joaquin Valley, where it also seems to be a more regular bearer. 
The variety is almost wholly rejected in southern California. 
VARIETIES OF CALIFORNIA ORIGIN. 
Newcastle.— Originated with C. M. Silva & Son, of Newcastle, Placer 
County, in 1881; size full medium, round; rich golden yellow, with brilliant 
red cheek in the sun; freestone; flavor sweet and rich; not quite as large as 
the Royal, nor quite as rich in flavor, but prettier, being more highly colored 
—the coloring being nearly equal on all sides, except that it is rather darker 
on the side to the sun. The tree is an early, regular and good bearer, a 
medium grower, being rather more upright in its habit than the Royal. 
Its time of ripening is seventeen days earlier than the Early Golden and 
twenty-five days earlier than the Royal—the three varieties being in the 
same orchard within a few yards of each other, and treated in the same way 
as to culture. 
Routier’s Peach.—Originated with Hon. Joseph Routier, near Sacra- 
mento. Large, yellow in shade; deep vrange, mottled or splashed with red 
in the sun; flesh juicy and rich, high flavor and a good market variety. 
Blooms a week later than peach. Very popular in Sacramento and San 
Joaquin Valleys. 
Sparks’ Mammoth.—Popular in Ventura County. Largest size, even 
larger than Moorpark, pale yellow, very tender, juicy and sweet. Recently 
quite widely distributed in southern California, but its bearing habit is in 
question. 
