20 



AGRICULTURAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE ORCHARDS OF CHINA. 



or 12 feet high; but when planted in gardens as ornamentals, as one 

 often sees them in Peking, Tientsin, Chinanfu, etc., they reach a 

 height of 30 to 40 feet and form a single trunk, sometimes over 

 a foot in diameter (see PI. V, fig. 1). The cultivated plants vary a 

 good deal in the color of their flowers, which ranges from white to 

 dark rose. The flowering period lasts but a very short time, but as 

 the trees bear graceful dark-green foliage after their flowering they 

 are quite ornamental. 



The greatest value, however, that these wild peaches have for us 

 is not so much in their ornamental appearance as in their use as a 



stock for almost all 

 members of the 

 stone-fruit group. 

 The Chinese graft 

 and bud upon them 

 not only peaches but 

 plums, "bush cher- 

 ries" (Prunustomen- 

 tosa), flowering 

 plums, and cherries, 

 and all of these 

 thrive upon this 

 stock. They are also 

 remarkably drought 

 resistant, and as far 

 as our preliminary ex- 

 periments show they 

 thrive equally well 

 at Ames, Iowa, and at San Antonio, Tex. From the nature of the 

 tree it will do especially well in those sections of the United States 

 where there is only a limited summer rainfall and where winter tem- 

 peratures do not fall too low. 



The kernels of these wild peaches are used to flavor confectionery 

 and some special dishes, but as they are full of prussic acid only very 

 small quantities are used. The stones themselves are often made 

 into rosaries, which the Buddhist priests use in their worship. Being 

 deeply and irregularly grooved they are very artistic when cleaned 

 and polished. (S. P. I. Nos. 17470, 17729 to 17731, 18262, 18595, 

 21227, 21908, and 22009.) 



APRICOTS. 



[Chinese name, "Using," and other names.] 



The apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is found in a wild state in many 

 places in northern China, Manchuria, and northern Korea, and there- 

 fore it is no surprise to find it growing as a fruit tree on a large 



204 



Fig. 7.— A tree of the wild peach (Amygdalus davidiana) growing among 

 rocks in the mountains near Fangshan, Chihli Province, China. 

 This variety is commonly used as a stock in China. Introduction 

 No. 22009. ■ 



