From R. G. Chasb & Co., Geneva, N. Y

Russian apricots have proved hardy in this locality. We regard the Alexander, Budd, Alexis and Catherine as the best varieties. They seem to do well in our stiff clay soil, also in gravelly loam. How they would do on sandy loam, we cannot say. We think they should have cultivation and annual pruning the same as other orchard trees. They are a valuable acquisition where the finer or older varieties cannot be grown successfully. We have tested them by budding on peach, common plum and myrobolan stocks, and are inclined to use myrobolan exclusively hereafter.

From H. E. Van Dkman,Department Of Agriculture, Washington, D. C

In the first place, I think it is entirely proper to say that the apricot should hardly be mentioned as one of the fruits of Russia, for, according to authentic reports, it is only found in the vicinity of the Crimea, which is a very different and much milder climate than Russia proper. Because this little corner over which the Czar has domain is mild enough to allow the culture of the apricot, it is not wise to associate it with the fruits that generally grow in Russia. Having seen many varieties of the apricot growing in both eastern and western states which were called Russian, I might be justified in saying that they seemed similar in nearly all respects to the ordinary seedling apricots which are found all over the country. I think they are quite as hardy as the ordinary varieties of the peach, but not having been able to make a careful study of the named varieties in the orchard, I do not feel like giving an opinion upon their relative merits. Those seen in the Mennonite settlements in central Kansas were quite small, of poor flavor and were affected by the curculio to a considerable extent.

In answer to the direct question from the editor, as to whether I consider them "a valuable acquisition," I would say from my present knowledge. No! There may, however, be some varieties with which I am not acquainted that would convince me to the contrary, and of this I should be very glad. The best stock to bud them upon is the native plum (Prunus Americana), although it sprouts badly. I have never seen it upon the Marianna stock, but I think this would be still better, as it does not sucker, and I think it will be hardy wherever the apricot will grow.

From Professor E. S. Goff, Madison, Wis

Professor Henry set out six named varieties and six unnamed seedlings on our station grounds in the spring of 1887. The following winter all were killed down to the root, though most of them started anew in the spring of 1888. The next winter all were again killed down to the root, and several were killed outright. Most of those that started grew from the stock. During the last winter the remaining ones were again badly killed back, and as none of them showed any blossoms all were removed, so that at present we have not an apricot tree on the place. Evidently the Russian apricot is not adapted to Wisconsin.

From Professor J. L. Budd, Ames, Iowa

Some of the named varieties are fairly hardy on the college grounds, yet they are injured at the points of growth by our severest winters. They succeed best on high and dry soil. The treatment does not differ materially from that required by the plum, but more care should be given to spraying, as the curculio works upon them to a greater extent than on some of our native and Russian plums.

I first tested the fruit in south Russia in the summer of 1882. I did not then consider it superior for any use to the best native plums of the west for dessert use, and my opinion has not since changed. But it is superior for culinary use, and upon the whole a decided acquisition. In tree it is much hardier than any of the old sorts, the foliage is far better, and in all respects the best varieties are better adapted to our American soil and climate east of the Rocky Mountains. If not up to the required standard in fruit, we can soon improve it by crossing with the pollen of the best California varieties. In this line, I am glad to report that apricot pollen can be sent across the continent by mail without loss of vitality. We have germinated California apricot pollen six weeks after it was taken from the anthers. They work perfectly on seedlings of our western native plums (Prunus Americana), but we find they do not unite well with the peach, or with such foreign stocks as St. Julian or myrobolan.

Of the varieties we have tested and observed, the Gibb, Nicholas, Catherine and Budd, appear to stand well at the bead. But the best of all in tree and fruit is Chinese, rather than Russian in origin. It was grown from a pit imported by the Iowa Agricultural College from the province of Shense, in northwest China. At first it was sent out for trial under the name of Chinese apricot. Later we named it " Shense," but in Nebraska it is grown by a few parties under the name of Acme. It does not come into bearing so early as some of the Russian varieties, but it makes a larger and handsomer tree, has larger and better foliage, and the fruit is larger, handsomer and better for any use than any of the Russian sorts I have seen in east Europe or here.

From Carpenter & Gage, Fairbury, Nebraska

The Russian apricot is perfectly hardy in southern Nebraska. We have seen a fair crop of fruit after 300 below zero. We consider the Alexander the best variety, although many varieties are good. It is a success in all kinds of soil in this state, but, like the peach, the buds are more liable to be injured on lowland than on upland We find apricots on peach much better than on plum, as they make a better union.

From G. C. Brackett, Lawrence, Kansas

The Russian apricot is not hardy in every respect in this state. Varieties are as numerous as peach seedlings, and a majority are as worthless. Selections can be made of varieties of superior quality and beauty. The sorts selected and propagated thus far have not proved productive, so far as reported from Kansas growers. Soil and treatment should be the same as for plums. I do not regard them preferable to such as were in use before their introduction to this state. There has not been sufficient time devoted to their testing to prove what is the best stock for their propagation. They make much the strongest wood-growth on the peach. I have several kinds grafted into branches of the Early Golden apricot as a test in comparison. They show no evidence which would give them a preference. They were first brought into notice by the Mennonites settling in Marion, Harvey and McPherson counties, and for a few years succeeded. I visited a number of orchards in Marion county, and found almost the entire crop ruined by curculio, plum gouger and scab, and found it very difficult to obtain half a peck of the fruit fit to bring away with me for my family and friends.

Nurserymen said that it would prove a valuable substitute in regions where the peach failed; but I have yet to learn of a crop being grown in seasons when the peach failed, and last year when a good peach crop was grown, the apricot failed. I was strongly in hopes that it would prove to be all its friends had claimed for it. But so far it has not, and residents of the most favored counties report to me that it has not, nor will not become a profitable fruit. It may be profitable in successful peach regions and where it is exempt from late spring frosts, and even then will not prove superior to our old established sorts. It has been a nurseryman's hobby.