THE APRICOT. 



819 



The best Clingstone nectarine is tlie Early Newington ; 

 and tlie best of all nectarines is said to be the Stanwick, 

 the quality of which is yet to be ascertained in this coun- 

 try. Temple's is said also to be a fine variety. 



Armeniaca Vulgaris — Apricot. 



The apricot is a fruit somewhat resembling both the 

 plum and the peach. The tree is ornamental as well as 

 useful ; larger than the plum, with glossy, heart-shaped, 

 large leaves, and white blossoms, which appear so early 

 that they are often cut off by frosts. But as with the 

 nectarine, the great obstacle to its culture is the curculio, 

 which may be warded off as in the case of that fruit. In 

 favorable seasons, when protected from the curculio, the 

 apricot is exceedingly productive. 



The apricot is a native of Armenia, and other parts of 

 Central Asia. In quality it is second only to the peach ; 

 but coming earlier (with the earliest plums) it is very ac- 

 ceptable. For jellies, tarts, and preserving in brandy or 

 sugar, it is mucli esteemed, and is excellent when dried 

 as directed for the peach. 



The apricot is generally budded on the plum stock. It 

 is sometimes propagated on its own root, and also upon the 

 peach. The plum is the hardier stock, and produces the 

 best tree. It may be root-grafted on the Chickasaw plum 

 by the method of whip-grafting. Those propagated by 

 seed, are usually very hardy and productive. On the 

 peach stock, the tree is liable to be destroyed by the 

 borer, and the fruit is inferior. 



Apricots are so apt to bloom too early in the spring, 

 that it is better to plant them in northern exposures where 

 they will be retarded in blooming, by the shade of build- 

 ings there is less danger of severe fro^. It is just as 

 necessary to shorten in the young branches of tte apricot 



