47° Journal of Agriculture. [lo Aug., 1908. 



sucker, but such varieties as the "Montgamet" and ''Large Early" type, 

 when worked upon the above stocks are very apt to blow off at the union 

 of the tree with the stock when fully grown. I much prefer the common 

 "Mussel'' plum as a stock, as it succeeds well in most soils and climates, 

 and the most popular market sorts do well upon it. The advantage of 

 the plum stock over the seedling apricot is that it will adapt itself to 

 almost any soil, whereas the seedling apricot is onh suitable w^iere the 

 soil is light and warm, or well drained, the climate warm, and the rainfall 

 not excessive. The seedling apricot is much sought after by planters in 

 the warmer and drier districts of the State, and in many cases it does 

 well. It stands much drought, and will grow when many other trees are 

 at a standstill. It is, however, apt to grow too vigorously at the expense 

 of the size and quantity of fruit, whereas the plum stock, which has a 

 more dwarfing tendency, grows finer fruit as a rule. As in most fruits, 

 the theory that if fine fruit is wanted the stock must not be too vigorous 

 holds good with this as with most fruits. It is much better for a scion 

 to somewhat overgrow the stock than for the stock to grow faster than the 

 scion, or upper part of the tree. In the one case, well-developed fruit 

 and heavy crops are the result, while, in the other, thin crops and poor 

 fruit are the rule. The nourishment which should go to the fruit expends 

 itself in wood and leaf — the cherry is a striking example of this. 

 Some growers work the apricot upon the almond— a most unsuitable stock. 

 Never plant trees upon this stock. The peach is a most desirable stock in 

 localities where the plum does not do so well as the peach. 



Peach. — The peach stock raised from the stone is, doubtless, under 

 almost all circumstances, the best stock for the peach. Some difficulty 

 is often experienced in getting the stones to germinate ; some seasons they 

 come up freely and in others very few grow. The stones from one 

 season's crop of fruit will grow freely, while those from another season's 

 crop will nearly all fail. Stones saved from medium sized mid-season's 

 varieties are generally the best for planting. The stones, immediately they 

 are collected, should be placed in the ground in a well sheltered position, 

 and covered over with sand and allowed tO' remain there until planting 

 time. When once the stock is al)ove ground it is easily managed; it 

 roots very freely, throws plenty of fibres, and a tap root which is easily 

 managed, and does not require to be removed from the seed bed till the 

 \oung tree is ready for transplanting to its permanent position. If the 

 stones are planted in too rich soil, then a strong tap root is formed at the 

 exj>ense of fibrous roots ; in such cases the tree should be removed 

 when young. If possible, always bud thr stocks the same season as they 

 come up. 



There are localities where the almond stock is preferred to the peach — 

 not only preferred, but becomes necessary, as the peach refuses to grow 

 and succeed on its own roots. In such districts as Swan Hill and 

 south of Melbourne growers will, on no account, plant peaches upon any 

 other .stock than the almond. The effect produced upon the growth of the 

 peach tree in these districts (when upon the peach) is remarkable. The 

 tree assumes a thick bushy habit of growth, throwing out innumerable 

 useless lateral shoots with no bearing wood. The tree remains a thick 

 liushy shrub, while those on the almond produce quite a different growth — 

 fruitful shoots are made, covered with well -developed fruit buds. The 

 leaves are of a paler green than upon the peach, and none of that useless 

 unfruitful sprav is made, and the result is good crops of fine well-coloured 

 fruit. 



