lo JuNE; 191 1.] Propagation of Fruit Trees. 369 



During the summer months the growing pips should not be allowed 

 to become dry, but should be irrigated if possible. The following winter, 

 if well grown, they should be ready for planting out permanently 

 for budding upon. If small, let them remain another season in the 

 beds. The illustration on page 368 shows seedling stock twelve months 

 from seed. 



In the cooler and moister districts of the State, and where the soil is 

 of a heavy and retentive nature, many varieties worked upon the seedling 

 pear make gross and rapid growth, taking years to come into bearing. 

 Working upon the quince stock is an advantage. The slower growth of the 

 quince influences that of the pear, and causes the latter to become produc- 

 tive much earlier. Again, where the position is a wet one, and the soil 

 heavy, the quince is far hardier, and better adapted than fhe pear. With 

 the well known variety, Keiffer's Hybrid, which refuses to set its blossom 

 when growing in certain localities and upon strong-growing soil, possil)ly 

 this difficulty would be overcome by using the quince as a stock. 



As there are only a few varieties of pears that flourish when worked 

 directly upon the quince, it is necessary to double- work, i.e., by first 

 working a selected variety, like Beurre Diel, Beurre d'Amanalis, or Vicar 

 of Winkfield, upon the quince, and then working the desired variety upon 

 the yearling pear growth. Pears worked upon the quince should not be 

 planted in light soils or dry localities. If so, the planter will be dis- 

 appointed. 



The best variety of quince for working the pear upon, and one that 

 the writer recommends, is the Hereford, easily propagated from cuttings or 

 stools ; failing this, seed or cuttings taken from any commercial varieties. 



Quince Stocks. 



The quince thrives best upon a heavy deep moist soil or loam, overlying 

 a clay subsoil. The stock for propagating upon should be raised from 

 seedlings, or rooted cuttings taken from seedling varieties or other strong- 

 growing ones. 



When saving seed, the fruit should l)e treated the same as pears, and 

 allowed to rot. Then cut or break open, remove the cores, and press 

 with the hands to force out the seed. Wash and treat the same as pear 

 seed, when it will be ready for planting. 



Sow at the same time and in the same manner as pear seed. Thin 

 cuttings — no thicker than an ordinary lead pencil — should be .selected. Do 

 not allow cuttings to suffer from the want of moisture during the rooting 

 period. 



Apricot Stocks. 



For practical purposes, the best all-round stock for propagating the 

 apricot upon is the seedling apricot. In moist districts or heavv retentive 

 soils certain varieties of the apricot thrive well upon the plum. 



The common Red Cherry Plum of commcrci^ is far more suitable as a 

 stock than La France {Fruuus M yrohalaini). Apricots worketl upon this 

 latter stock, if growing in a bndly-drained land or receiving an exce.ss 

 of water sudd<>nly. die out, <>specially the varietv Oullin's F.arly Peach. 

 The rommon Mus.sel Plum is a gfM^d stock, but owing to its habit of throw- 

 ing up suckers is not likely to court favour with the planter. Owing to 



