22 



Commercial Gardening 



Fig. 324. Wild Crab Apple 

 Stock 



allowing for the divergences of individual characteristics, are strong, thick 

 roots delving deep in the soil, producing vigorous, often luxurious, growth. 

 The commencing of fruit-bearing is sometimes deferred until the tree has 

 attained a considerable age; in the case of the 

 " Duchess Favourite " it may be twenty years, and 

 in the case of the " Blenheim Orange " more. The 

 Crab is the only stock for half-standards and orchard 

 standards. 



(6) The Free Stock. This is often erroneously 

 bracketed with the Crab, as being synonymous with 

 it; but frequently it is obtained by sowing the pips 

 from apples used in cider-making, and may possess 

 the characteristics of widely differing parents. These 

 may suit the variety worked on them, or they may 

 not. 



(c) The Paradise. The first trees on this stock 

 (fig. 325) were imported from France, but the French 

 Paradise stock has proved too shortlived, and the 

 planting of Apples worked on it may have led to 

 some wholesale condemnations of the stock generally 

 which are certainly not justified. There is an 



English variety which is sturdy and longlived. The advantages of Apple 

 trees worked on the Paradise stock are: No tap roots, but roots of a 

 fibrous nature that remain near the surface, and admit of more control by 

 the cultivator; short, jointed growth that allows of closer planting; and, 

 finally, quicker development of bearing capacity, 

 often five years earlier than the same variety on 

 the Crab. 



(d) The Doucin or Dutch possesses similar char- 

 acteristics to the Paradise, only with more vigour of 

 growth. This is an advantage with some varieties, 

 as, for instance, " Early Victoria " and " Stirling 

 Castle", which will crop so furiously on the Para- 

 dise as to leave no spare energy to grow a tree. 

 It is important to remember that when planting 

 trees on the Paradise or the Doucin stock, the place 

 where the scion was put on to the stock should be 

 below the level of the soil, and it should not be 

 forgotten that the soil, after the planting, will 

 settle considerably. 



It will be apparent at once that if Dwarf Apples 

 only are planted, the fruit will be more easily 



gathered, and it will be there to gather sooner. Insect and fungoid pests, 

 also, will be more easily detected and dealt with. The initial outlay will 

 be greater, because the trees cost more, and it will take more of them 

 to the acre. 



Fig. 325. Paradise Stock 



