]06 THE PAKKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS. [CnAP. XIX. 



CHAPTEE XIX. 



THE PARADISE, DOUCIN, AND CRAB STOCKS. 



The stock is as important to the cultivated fruit-tree as the founda- 

 tion is to the house ; if we have not the right stock, all is wrong. 

 The French Paradise stock is the only one that should be used to 

 form cordon trees except on the very poorest and driest of soils. 

 Before the writer had seen the results of using this stock in France 

 and called attention to its merits, it was condemned as useless 

 by our authorities, who described it as "exceedingly dwarf in 

 its habit, and too tender for this climate, unless in very warm 

 and dry soils ! " But in fact it is as hardy as the hardiest tree 

 of the forest, not perishing even if thrown with its roots exposed 

 on the surface of the ground, and allowed to remain there 

 through a rigorous winter ; and the soils above all for which it is 

 peculiarly unfitted are those that are hot and very dry, while it 

 flourishes on rich, moist loams, and even bad clays — the very 

 soils which often present the greatest amount of difficulty to the 

 British fruit-grower. As will be readily seen, this is simply a 

 matter for experiment, and I appeal to the horticulturists of 

 Britain to settle the question by direct trial, a thing they can so 

 readily do. The " English Paradise " is the Doucin — one that 

 as regards vigour is intermediate between the Crab and the 

 Paradise, well fitted for neat standards, pyramids, and large 

 bushes, but growing too vigorously to furnish anything but 

 disappointment if planted as a low cordon, except on very light 

 calcareous or " burning " soils. To plant the Apj^le on the 

 common or Crab stock, and expect to form a dwarf fertile tree, is 

 folly. By mutilation and removals we may secure a crop, and 

 keep the Doucin or " English Paradise " within bounds ; but 

 what is wanted is a stock that will furnish a dwarf and fertile 



