lo July. 1911-] I'rofa<^atio)i of Fruit Trees. 485 



LOQ'JAT 



This fruit can be propagated frum seed, or liv Ijiidding and grafting. 

 The seed should be sown in drills i^ in. in depth and covered with light 

 soil or sand. The following winter the seedlings may be planted out 

 permanenth'. Seed sa\ed from choice \'arieties only should be sown. 

 Trees raised from seedlings take many years before they become produc- 

 tive. Sow : ;. jd in May, June, July, or August. 



By using the quince as a stock for piopagating upon the loquat is 

 brought into bearing much earlier. The writer's advice to tho.se growing 

 for ])r<>fit is to plant the loquat worked upon the quince. Quince stocks 

 should be field grafted at ground level (whip-tongue method). Select well 

 matured scions, bind well with raffia, and mould the graft with soil. Graft- 

 ing should be performed wlien the sap is starting to rise in the quince 

 stocks, in earlv spring. 



The loquat tree is ornamental as well as fruit producing. Tn the drier 

 districts of the State it re(]uin\s judicious irrigation during the flevelopm.ent 

 of the fruit 1(1 grrjw it to perfection. It thrives well in almost any free 

 natural or artili:iall\" drained soil. 



Mulberry. 



The stock used for prop;!gating the Black Mulberr\ {Morns nigra) \\\)<m. 

 by budding and grafting, is the White Mulberry (J/, alba). Tin- latter 

 variety is easily propagated from seed or by cuttings. 



The seed should l^e sown in a l)ed after the soil has been reduced to 

 ii very fine state. Cover the seed lightly with sieved mould or light soil. 

 and keep the beds sheltered from the w-eather until the .seedlings are strong. 

 Sprinkle the beds with a watering can having a line rose. Seed can be im- 

 ported direct from France or Germany, or through seedsmen, and should be 

 sown in October and November. 



The following winter the seedlings ought to be strong enough to lift 

 from the beds ; then trim and i)lant out for working upon. When 

 making cuttings, well matured straight growths should be chosen (about 

 I ft.), the lower end being cut just below a bud and straight across. Use 

 a sharp knife. As cuttings shoot freely they should be planted out perma- 

 nently where they are to remain for working upon. Plant cuttings in June, 

 July, or August. 



Rooted st<Kks may be bench grafted. The most popular method is to 

 work the scions of the black variety directly upon the r(X)t of the white 

 variety (whip-tongue or insertion method). Secure the roots by digging up 

 stcjck trees of the latter varietv. When re-planting stix^k trees cut the 

 growths hard b:i<k. Keep well watered during the clry summer month.^. 

 Root graft in August. J''ield graft when the sap is rising. 



Attempting to pro])agate the mulberry in the cooler districts of the State 

 is very unsatisfactory ; only a very low percc-ntage of the buds and grafts 

 will take. In the warm and irrigable districts the Black Mulberry would 

 ])ay w<-ll to pro])agate up to a limit«'d quantity. (5(X)d trees in nurx'ry 

 stock alwaxs lind a ready sale at remuner.itive rates. 



If p<»Nsible, plant in de<'p l<M»se .soil, and water well during the hot 

 weather. If given pro])er eultun". the voung trees ought to Ik- s.deable 

 the winter following bu<lding or grafting. Do not iheck the growth by 

 top|)ing in the ho])e of getting them to l)r.ini'h. 



I'lC. 



The fig may be pn)pagated from iiittings, layers. st<Kils. or gr.ifling. 

 ^^'he!l making cuttings, well n,atur«(l jiast se.t.son's growtiis should l>e 



