Dwarf Apples. 381 



standards; this is especially true in the case of apples. Fruitful- 

 ness depends largely upon a proper food supply. The reason that 

 a tree bears earlier when it is dwarfed may probably be ascribed 

 to the fact that it comes to an earlier maturity, and that certain 

 buds receive better nourishment than when growing as stand- 

 ards. A dwarf tree never makes a rank growth, so in this respect 

 it may be said to be at all times more inclined to bear fruit than 

 the standard. If, in addition, the stock serves as a check to the 

 return passage of sap, we have the condition which we suppose 

 will produce fruit in standard trees. 



In the case of pears, there is less difference between the bear- 

 ing periods of standards and dwarfs than there is in apples. The 

 difference that does exist may be caused by the same conditions 

 which were advanced above as causes for the earlier fruiting of 

 apples. Dwarf pear trees are also supposed to produce larger 

 and handsomer fruit than standard trees, but I know of no experi- 

 ments which have shown this to be the case, although the truth 

 of the statement is highly probable. All pear growers seem to 

 agree that dwarf trees bear more regularly than standards, and 

 it is the general impression that they bear more abundantly in 

 proportion to their size. 



The entire subject of plant dwarfing is an extremely intricate 

 one. Directly connected with it are all the questions relating to 

 the formation of leaf and fruit buds, the effects of more or less 

 active vegetative growth upon fruitfulness, the kinds and propor- 

 tionate amounts of food which are most influential in producing 

 a desired effect, the influence of certain mechanical disturbances 

 which were advanced above as causes for the earlier fruiting of 

 important points still require investigation. Laws controlling 

 such behavior of plants undoubtedly exist, but continued obser- 

 vation and wide experience must be had before these laws may be 

 formulated with any degree of certainty. 



Fruits grown as dwarfs.. — The pear is the fruit most commonly 

 dwarfed. It might be said that in the eastern states fully 50 per 

 cent, of the trees are grown in this manner. The quince is used 

 for stock. KSuch trees are very productive and under proper 

 treatment they are long -lived. One interesting point to consider 

 in connection with dwarf pears is the fact that some varieties do 



