A factory class that uses generics

GenericFactory.cs

// Example usage: Apple myAppleVar = Fruit<Apple>.CreateInstance();
// ref: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1380087/whats-the-correct-alternative-to-static-method-inheritance-c

public abstract class Fruit<T>
    where T : Fruit<T>, new()
{
    public static T CreateInstance()
    {
        T newFruit = new T();
        newFruit.Initialize();  // Calls Apple.Initialize
        return newFruit;
    }
 
    protected abstract void Initialize();
}
 
public class Apple : Fruit<Apple>
{
    protected Apple() { }
 
    protected override void Initialize() { ... }
}