128 



APRICOTS. 



tree is healthy, and, when worked on the muscle 

 stock, a vigorous grower. Such may do for a wall, 

 as they soon come into bearing ; but they are not 

 equal to those budded standard-high on the Brussels 

 stock : for it is quite certain there are but four sorts 

 of fruit trees that do well for standards from the 

 bud or graft, when worked near the ground; viz. 

 peaches, nectarines, pears, and apples. Cherries, 

 when so worked, may shoot strongly, but the trees 

 are short-lived. 



The space required by this kind should be some- 

 what more than is advised for the preceding, more 

 especially as the best fruit are always produced on 

 the extremities of the branches. This tree, in fa- 

 vourable seasons, bears well as a standard in the 

 open ground. One, fifty years old (and which had 

 been planted by Mr. C. Grey, formerly of the Ful- 

 ham Nursery), bore, in the year 17^7 ^ an uncommon 

 load of fruit ; of which many presents were made to 

 the customers, who all agreed that the fruit were 

 much superior to those ripened on Avails. The soil 

 and situation where the tree grew were dry, the 

 former being a light, sandy loam. The best aspects 

 in the garden for this tree, are the south-east and 

 west ; the south seems too hot for preserving the 

 quality of the fruit. 



3. Roman Apricot, — Is in season from the middle 

 to the end of August. This variety is particularly 

 useful to the cook and confectioner. The fruit is of 

 the middle size, oval, yet somewliat flattened ; colour 

 deep yellow, which colour also pervades the pulp* 



