He did not indicate whether he meant the flowers would pollinate themselves or that they would set only if pollinated with their own pollen. Corner et al. There seems to be little question as to which pollinating agents are effective on apricots. Instead, they said that the sticky pollen needs the help of insects to carry it from the stamens to the stigma. The chief pollinators are bees.
Honey bees are the primary pollinating agents.
A heavy population of bees may be unnecessary, but they should be distributed throughout the orchard. Thus, since the bees are required but not in large numbers, the recommendation by Corner et al. Gleanings Bee Cult. Agr., Victoria, British Columbia, Apiary Cir.