SELECTING STOCKS. 229 



PEAK. Seedlings of wild or inferior varieties are pre- 

 ferred to any other as a stock for the Pear. Most of the 

 seed used in this country is imported from Europe, where 

 it is saved from the pomace after expressing the juice of 

 Pears for making perry. In raising seedlings in this 

 country, great care is required in their cultivation to pre- 

 vent blight on the leaves during the first season. Fresh, 

 new, or virgin soil is best for a seed-bed, and it should be 

 worked very deep in order to insure an equable amount 

 of moisture during the entire summer. While seedlings 

 of the Wild Pear of Europe have long been considered as 

 the best stocks for standard trees, it is quite probable 

 that the oriental species (Pirus Sinensis), and some of its 

 varieties, found in both China and Japan, will eventually 

 prove to be superior to the European species as a stock 

 upon which to work the improved and long-cultivated 

 varieties. These oriental species and varieties appear to 

 possess a vigor surpassing that of any of those of Euro- 

 pean origin, as seen in their large, thick, leathery leaves, 

 as well as in the great rapidity of growth and sturdy 

 character of their young shoots. They certainly give 

 promise of value as stocks upon which to work the less 

 sturdy-growing varieties. 



The Quince has long been used as a stock for the Pear, 

 especially for producing low-growing or dwarf trees, 

 which are desired for small gardens, or for training in 

 some other form than as standard trees. While some 

 varieties of the Pear succeed admirably when grown 

 on Quince stocks, others soon fail for the want of a 

 proper affinity between the wood of two species of 

 trees which we force to unite temporarily, or otherwise, 

 by budding or grafting. 



By adopting a method known as " double working," 

 we may use Quince stocks for varieties^that do not succeed 

 when worked directly upon it. In double working, 

 varieties are selected that are known to unite readily and 



