GENERAL PRACTICE. STOCKS AND THEIR INFLUENCE. m 



standard trees require to be raised from seed, these having a stronger root system, the 

 main or anchor roots taking a firmer and deeper hold of the soil. 



Stocks enable the grower to overcome difficulties of soil ; indeed, the nature of the 

 soil in which the worked trees are destined to grow should have weight in determining 

 the choice of stocks. The apricot is a sand-loving tree ; but though the Moorpark may 

 be healthier on its own roots, the Royal has its abundant growth concentrated on the fruit 

 when worked on a plum. The almond stock is sometimes used for light loams, but 

 the trees do not long remain healthy. Budded on the plum non-suckering varieties being 

 chosen, as the Mussel and Brussels apricots become fitted for calcareous and heavy soils, 

 or for light soils underlaid by a retentive subsoil. The Myrobalan or Cherry Plum 

 (Primus cerasifera) is said to be a good stock for the apricot, but its permanent value 

 remains to be proved. Stocks from cuttings produce dwarfer trees than do those from seed. 



Cherries are budded and grafted on seedlings of the Wild Cherry or Gean (Cerasus 

 avium), those suiting the Gean, Heart, and Bigarreau varieties ; and common or dwarf 

 (Cerasus caproniana) are suitable for Duke, Kentish, and Morello varieties of cherry. 

 When the former is used as a stock for the Duke race, the scion is increased in vigour; 

 when the latter is used for the Heart tribe, the scion outgrows the stock, producing a 

 wen. The wild Gean, however, is employed for all varieties of cherry : hence the differ- 

 ence in the growth of the same variety in orchards. The Mahaleb (Cerasus Mahaleb) if 

 used as a dwarfing stock, and, though a native of South Europe, proves hardy, ripening 

 its wood earlier than the wild Gean. It is not, however, suitable for the Geau, Heart, 

 and Bigarreau races of cherry, but answers well for the Duke, Kentish, and Morello 

 varieties, also for some of the recently originated varieties, such as Early "Rivers and 

 Governor Wood. Trees on Mahaleb stocks succeed in soils unfavourable to those on 

 the wild cherry stock, these growing and bearing well in loam underlaid by sand, but 

 failing on soils underlaid by clay. The Mahaleb, being a shallower rooter, serves the 

 same purpose to the cherry as the quince stock does to the pear on damp soils. 



Grape-vines may be budded or grafted for replacing undesirable varieties with those 

 of better quality, or to produce some change in the vine, as modifying the growth and 

 improving the quality of the fruit by a weaker stock, or imparting vigour to enfeebled 

 varieties by working them on a stronger root, and in establishing varieties subject to 

 phylloxera and other parasites upon roots which resist those attacks. Resistant stocks 

 have proved eminently satisfactory in America and on the Continent, the American 

 species, Vitis sestivalis and V. cordifolia, being the most effective for the purpose. 



