lo JuLV, 1911-] Propagation of Fruit Trees. 485 



If propagating the cherry upon undrained soil, select a site in the 

 nursery where the soil is loose and friable, or one that the water can readily 

 percolate through, and be quickly got away by open drains. In badly 

 drained soil, the roots of the cherry readily decay. 



Plum. 



The Myrobalan and Mariana, belonging to the Cherry Plum variety and 

 already mentioned in this article, are now used for propagating the many 

 varieties of plums. Most of the Japanese varieties thrive well when 

 worked upon them. 



I consider Mariana the most valuable stCK:k we ha\e so far in general 

 use. Easily rooted, like Myrobalan, from cuttings, it resists wet or un- 

 drained soil better than the Myrobalan. Trees are not so apt to die out 

 suddenly when worked upon it, and many varieties that are shy bearers 

 upon the Myrobalan are prolific upon this stock. On page 344 is r.-pro- 

 duced a photograph of an area of Mariana stocks from cuttings, ready for 

 budding. 



Although some varieties, like Angelina Burdett and Cole's Blue Superb 

 somewhat over-grow this stock (Mariana) it is no great fault but an im- 

 provement — it influences the bearing qualities of varieties so inclined to 

 over-grow. The somewhat slower growth of the stock retards that of the 

 variety worked upon it. It is not generally known that thousands of 

 the most productive plum trees in this State are worked upon the Mariana, 

 and not upon the Myrobalan as supposed. 



The ordinary plum is a species of fruit that makes its full growth 

 generally before the New Year and becomes dormant in early autumn. 

 Although the top influences the stock, that of the stock upon the top is 

 much greater. When propagating fruit trees for general purposes, a stock 

 whose habits coincide with tho.se of the species to be worked, especially 

 with regard to the vegetative period, should be used. After heavy rains 

 ni the autumn, plum trees are not so apt to start fresh growth or break 

 into bloom when worked upon the Mariana, whereas the vegetative period 

 of the Myrobalan is prolonged well into late autumn and is very responsive 

 to late rains, especially after a dry spell. The writer attributes the sudden 

 dying out of trees when worked upon this variety chiefly to the exhaustive 

 nature of the stock. 



In soils and localities where the peach thrives, the seedling peach is a 

 valuable stock for many varieties of the Japanese plums, such as Wickson. 

 Burliank, Kelsey, etc. Most of the varieties similar in constitution and 

 appearance in growth, etc., to those mentioned, are suitable for working 

 upon the peach stock. Varieties having hard woofl and very smooth bark 

 are most suited for tht- j)lum stock, for exami)Ie, Hale, October. T'urj.le. 

 etc. 



When budding cherry plums or dam.sons. select small healthy stcx'ks, 

 and not large vigorous ones. When making cuttings, see that they are cut 

 straight and about 12 in. in length (Fig. .16). As plum cuttings callus 

 from the cambium expo.sed by the freshly made cut and very seldom r.mt 

 from the buds JH-fore striking root from the callus, it is not necessarv to 

 cut at an apex bud. A pair t>f sharp .secateurs may be used for making- 

 the cuttings, care being taken to see that they cut cleanly. The mattt-r 

 that corrodes upon the insidr of the bhuU" when In use should l">e ke]>t 

 scraped off. otherwise they will not do good work. 



Cuttings, when made. slxMiId be well heeled in or planted out at once. 

 If h'ft heeled in too long and having callused, it will In? necessary to plant 

 them the same way as rooted stocks. /.<•.. bv opening out a grip, and pl.iiU- 



