84 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



INFLUENCE OF DWARF STOCKS. 



As the sand cherry is only thought to be of value as a dwarf stock, 

 planters must expect smaller nursery trees than those of same age 

 on native plum or other stocks not dwarf in habit. The somewhat 

 imperfect union would tend to load the top with nutriment and 

 hence favor earlier fruitfulness. This is the general effect of dwarf 

 stocks. Pears on quince stocks bear earlier than when on pear 

 stocks, and apples on Paradise stocks bear earlier than when on 

 apple stocks. The effect is similar to that observed in ringing, gird- 

 ling ^nd wiring limbs of fruit trees and grape vines. The elabor 

 ated sap is retained to a greater or less extent in the top, causing 

 the wood to acquire earlier the degree of maturity necessary for the 

 formation of fruit buds. 



In this connection it is of interest to note that Mr. C. W. H. Heide- 

 man of New Ulm, Minnesota, has found the vSand cherry to bear 

 heavily when budded on native pluin stocks, while it was barren of 

 fruit when on its own roots. 



It is too early to make positive statements as to the ultimate value 

 of the sand cherry for stocks. As a dwarf stock for the plum in the 

 prairie states it seems very promising. Some of the cherries, espe- 

 cially such very hardy ones as Shubianca, appear to make a good 

 union with it. If they hold out and make fruitful trees, it will surely 

 prove a blessing to the cold North, as we have no other hardy stock 

 except the wild red cherry. 



I trust that this paper will draw out the Minnesota expedience and 

 observation in this line. It is certainly a question of much interest 

 and importance. 



DISCUSSION. 



Prof. S. B. Green: I want to express my approval and en- 

 dorsement of the paper prepared by Mr. O. M. Lord, of Min- 

 nesota City, a man who has had experience in growing the 

 plum, who makes it a specialty; and everything that is said in 

 that paper is worthy of our careful attention. There is one 

 point, however, on which I do not entirely agree with him. 

 He refers to the matter of plum pockets being caused entirely 

 by the weather. He goes on to say that mycologists claim that 

 the disease passes from one tree to another, in order to show 

 that it is occasioned by a fungus growth. Now, it is like this, 

 you frequently hear people say that wheat rust is brought 

 about by warm, damp weather. So it is — it occasions the 

 development. You have a cold, you go out doors and expose 

 yourself, and you get more cold; it is the same condition in the 

 wheat plant — the rust is present, but the warm, damp weather 

 gives an opportunity for its development. It is generally pres- 

 ent to some extent, and the warm, damp weather gives it a 

 chance for further development. It is the same w^ay with the 

 plum pocket, as it is called; it is undoubtedly due to the effect 



