232 PPOPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



for stocks upon which to work the various cultivated 

 sorts of the Plum, Apricot, and, I may add, the Peach, 

 whenever it is desirable to raise the latter on any other 

 than its own. stock. 



Our indigenous species of the Plum, especially the 

 Primus Americana and P. C/iicasa, are the best stocks 

 on which to groAV all the varieties originating from the 

 same, but the more rapid and stronger- growing European 

 varities soon overgrow the American stocks, unless 

 worked very low down, or directly on the roots. 



The Peach is often employed as a stock for the Plum, 

 and in mild climates, and where the trees are planted 

 on rather light soils, it answers the purpose moderately 

 well ; but it is not recommended for general use, and in 

 cold climates, or where the Peach is subject to diseases 

 and attacks of insects, it is useless as a stock for the Plum. 



PoM~EGR&NA.TE(PunicaGranatum). The Pomegranate 

 is usually propagated by seeds, cuttings, and layers, but it 

 may be grafted ; the Sweet-fruited, Violet, and other 

 varieties being worked on the stocks of the Wild Pome- 

 granate, or one variety may be employed as a stock for any 

 other, whenever such mode of propagation is desirable. 



QUINCE (Pirus, Cydonia of some). Strong kinds, 

 like the Angers and Fontenay, are used as stocks for 

 the improved varieties cultivated for their fruit. Also 

 for. the ornamental, like the Japan Quince, or Pirus 

 Japonica, of nurserymen's catalogues, and the large 

 Chinese Quince (Pirus CJdnensis). Some European 

 authorities recommend the Portugal Quince (P. Lusi- 

 tanica), as a stock not only for the Pear, but for other 

 varities of the Quince, as it is a very vigorous grower. 



TREE AND SHRUB STOCKS. 



In making a list of the stocks usually employed in the 

 propagation of ligneous plants, I shall not attempt to 

 include in it every species and variety that has been, 



