APPLE STOCKS IN THE NORTHERN NURSERY. 



243 



crabs and apples in our orchards. A notable instance was the 

 Orange crab. In one of our old orchards planted by Dr. Jewell 

 were about a hundred large bearing trees of this variety, the Doc- 

 tor being an early admirer of its quality. An especially large crop 

 about ten years ago started us to using them for seedlings, and we 

 found that almost without exception they produced the most vigor- 

 ous roots of anything we were then using; and when grafted they 

 produced trees that evidenced a similar uniformity in vigor, which 



Was hing out crab seed in running water. 



effect was especially noticeable with varieties known to be light root 

 producers. This effect was, of course, not as easily traced with 

 trees piece-grafted on short roots as in those crown-grafted in the 

 field, where the whole root is used. 



We have also found good results from other of our common 

 crabs and hybrids, but to date our men seem to think the Orange 

 has points of superiority. If one were going to raise crabs for the 

 seed it would be impracticable to give much attention to the larger 

 ones or those not naturally prolific in seed or, again, those that are 

 shy bearers. With the nurseryman the question of quantity as 

 well as that of quality must be considered, unfortunate as that may 

 be. We have been a little afraid to use the Transcendent on account 



