Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/116

, 9 2] APR »andy, gravelly, damp, or cold ground. As they are general y placed near walls, an eastern aspect will be the most eligible and pro- per, because they are apt to grow mealy, from the strong an d con :• heat of the sun, in a southern direc- tion. In a luxuriant boi torn, they may be planted at a distance of ' sixteen or twenty feet from each other;, but in an inferior soil, from twelve to fifteen. Vv r hen trans- p' anted in the month of October, no other branches ought to be pruned off, except such as cannot be rixed to the wall. After tl e tree has been properly set in the ground, its branches should be loosely tied, and the surface of the soil surround- ing the stem covered widi good ma- nure, partly to prevent injury from frost, and to afford more nourish- ment to the roots. Towards the end of February, or beginning of March, tire branches must be un- tied, and die top of the tree cut off, while the operatoy's foot should be placed close to its trunk, and only four or five eyes are to be left above the place where it has been grafted : taking care that the ob- lique side of the cut be turned to- wards the wall. During a dry spring, the roots may be occasionally watered, and covered with a little straw or grass plats, in order to protect thtm against night-frosts, and afford diem additional moisture in summer. All the young shoots should be tied horizontally. About die end of September, the branches are again to be loosened, and pruned, so diat two only may remain, one of a larger size, from eight to nine, and an inferior one, from five to six inches long. In the second summer, all the straight shoot* ought to be removed, APR as in the first, while the new sprigs are transversely fastened close to the wall, so that the trunk of the tree remain free : die pruning, However, should not be attempted later than in the course of April. About Michaelmas, the young shoots are again to be dressed, as in the preceding year ; and the most vigorous left from eight to ten, but the weaker ones, only six or seven inches long. A similar treatment must be pur- sued in the third and following years. It deserves farther to be remarked, that apricots bear their buds and blossoms not only on the branches of the preceding year, but likewise on the young shoots and tops of these branches : hence the dressing of them, during summer, ought to be performed with addi- tional care. Us'ib. — From the vinous and sac- charine nature of this fruit we may readily conclude, that it is pos- sessed of antiseptic, cooling, and nutritive properties : yet, unless fully ripe, it is apt to ferment and turn acid in Weak stomachs, espe- cially those of persons who are. sub- ject to flatulency and eructations : hence apricots ought to be eaten in moderation, with the addition of a little bread, and rather before, than after, meals. In short, they are more useful to bilious and 61e- dioric, than to phlegmatic and hy- sterical individuals, or those trou- bled with hypochondriacal com- plaints. In France and Germany, the orange apricot is usefully preserved in a dry state, for the winter, when it forms a delicious ingredient in pyes, tarts, &:c. The kernels of several species of apricots contain a sweet oil, on ac- count of which they were formerly, • like