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on sloping sheltered slopes favour the setting of the blossoms, which 
often drop off on trees planted in cold hollows where the air is 
stagnant and chilly at blossoming time. The soil should be deep 
and well drained: a wet subsoil is quite unsuitable. Lime is 
beneficial. Pruning in March, after the crop is picked, helps to 
strengthen the buds: the leaders, however, must not be cut back till 
winter pruning. Water, if possible, about that time for the same 
reason. 
NeEwcasrLe Earty, E.—The earliest fair-size apricot. Ripens 
a week after Red Masculine, and a fortnight before Oullin’s Early 
Peach, at the end of November on the Swan and early in December 
farther south. Suitable for early districts. The tree, according to 
Wickson, is an early, regular, and good bearer; a medium grower, 
being rather more upright in its habit than the Royal. Fruit full, 
medium size, round; rich golden yeilow, with brilliant red cheek in 
the sun; freestone; flavour, sweet and rich; three times as large 
as Red Masculine, not quite as large as the Roval, nor quite as rich 
in flavour. 
CAMBDEN PALE SuperB comes between Neweastle Early and 
Oullin’s, and when Early Neweastle, now largely grown, declines in 
price on the local market. Ripens early in December on the Swan. 
OULLIN’s Earty Peacu, E., of which there is an improved 
strain. This is an early form of the Peach Apricot; of large size, 
most delicious flavour, and ripens three weeks earlier. Like the 
Peach, a variety from Piedmont; about 2 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 dark brown on sunny side. Flesh of a fine 
yellow saffron in colour, juicy, rich, and high flavoured. Stone can 
be penetrated, like Moorpark, and with a bitter kernel. Strongly 
resembles the Moorpark; fruit rather larger, finer, and earlier. 
Successful in the warmer districts. Ripens about the middle of 
December on the Swan, and about Christmas farther south. 
Royat, E.—A fine large French variety, nearly as large as the 
Moorpark (when well thinned out), but with larger leaves forming 
on long footstalks, and without the pervious stone of that sort; quite 
as high flavoured, and ripens a week or ten days earlier. A 
favourite with the canners, and au excellent variety for drying. 
One of the leading Californian apricots, being a freestone, of good 
pale orange colour and flavour, ripening evenly. Fruit large, 
roundish oval, and slightly compressed; skin dull yellow, with 
orange cheek and a shallow suture. 
A variety known as “American Royal,” introduced from Cali- 
fornia, is said to excel that variety. A favourite for drying and 
canning. Ripens end of December. 
