20 STOCKS. 



CHAPTER IV 



ON STOCKS. 



It is the opinion of the most judicious writers on 

 the subject of Fruit trees,that the character of stocks 

 has no influence on the consistence or flavour of the 

 fruit ; the office of the stock is supposed to be sub- 

 servient to the branches : vigour and hardiness are the 

 properties to be sought for in stocks ; most of our fine 

 cider apples possess this quality in an eminent de- 

 gree; none more so than the Hewes's Virginia crab, 

 and the Harrison and Campfield apples of New- Jer- 

 sey. Home growths of the apple are spreading both 

 in the branches and roots, others send up straight 

 branches, and have roots striking deep into the earth : 

 consequently, the former are best adapted to shallow, 

 the latter to deep soils. 



All stocks shciild be raised from seeds, and ne- 

 ver from suckers $ a practice which cannot be too se- 



