PROPAGATION 19 



planted like any other garden seeds, in good garden 

 soil. The strongest of the seedlings may be ready 

 for budding the first of August. As a rule, they will 

 need to be grown two years before they are ready 

 for budding. The large ones should be suitable for 

 root-grafting at the end of the first year. The 

 small ones may be transplanted and grown another 

 year, when they also will be ready for budding or 

 grafting. 



It is generally cheaper and more satisfactory, 

 however, to buy apple stocks ready grown. They 

 are extensively cultivated, especially in the neigh- 

 borhood of Topeka, Kan., where the soil is par- 

 ticularly suited to the production of long, clean, 

 straight apple roots. Prices vary considerably in 

 different years and for different grades. The ex- 

 treme range is from $i to $10 a thousand. Usually 

 a few apple stocks can be bought at retail at con- 

 siderably higher prices from any ordinary nursery- 

 man. This would be the source of supply for most 

 amateurs. 



At present considerable quantities of so-called 

 French stocks are also used in this country. These 

 are very similar to the American stocks. Some 

 nurserymen consider them stronger and more free 

 from disease than the American stocks and are 

 therefore willing to pay higher prices for them. 



Dwarf apples are propagated on so-called Para- 

 dise and Doucin roots. These two varieties are 

 grown mostly in France, and are propagated by 

 cuttings or layers instead of by seeds. Their use 

 in this country is extremely restricted and the ama- 

 teur will find it difficult to secure Doucin or Para- 

 dise stocks for his experimental grafting. Some of 

 the larger American nurseries, however, which do 



