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qardened too early. In sunny positions the fruits are often 

 covered v,fith numerous brown patches owing to the action 

 of intense liglit. Such fruits not only lose in appearance 

 but are of inferior quality as dessert. On the contrary, fruits 

 grown on the north side are superior as above stated, in 

 many respects, of which thick bloom and the delicateness 

 of the skin are noticeable. On a loose subsoil plum roots 

 freely penetrate and the result is a greater or less sterility. 

 Plum trees do not fruit well in wet low-lands and in rainy 

 seasons, the fruits are moreover apt to drop prematurely. 

 They also remain inferior in appearance and flavour and are 

 more subject to gum disease. 



APRICOTS. 



The apricot has long been cultivated in our land in 

 a half wild condition. It grows very widelj' in Japan. Its 

 north and south limits almost coincide with those of the plums. 

 It seems to require a similar climate as the hardy plums 

 and rather different from that required by peaches. They 

 are grown with good success in the drier parts of Japan, 

 that is, in the provinces of Kai and Shiiiano in central Japan, 

 as well as the north-west part of Hondo and the Inland Sea 

 Region. The environs of Nagano in the Province of Shinano, 

 have parliculary wide reputation for them since remote antiquity. 

 We have no districts, famous for growing apricots in Omote- 

 Nippon. The fruiting conditions for apricots are more 

 difficult than for the " Ume," the only nearly allied species. 

 They seem to enjoy a rather dry summer and loamy soil. 

 The best apricots are grown in rich alluvial deposits of more 

 or less varying texture, but always with gravelly subsoil. Such 

 soils are found in the growing centers of Hanishina, Sarashina, 

 and Kami-minachi in the Province of Shinano. Frequent 

 rains before ripening induce the fruits to drop down premature- 

 ly, while summer drought make them shrivel. The severest 



