PROPAGATION BY SEEDS. 81 



well-matured fruits. This is more especially important in 

 the case of the peach, which, in some sections, is affected 

 with a fatal malady, known as the " yellows." 



In the case of the plum, too, care should be taken not 

 to grow stocks from the seeds of trees affected with that 

 well-known fungus disease, called " black-knot." 



I have strong reasons for believing that stocks grown 

 from trees affected with this disease will soon fall a prey 

 to it. Indeed, I have seen it make its appearance among 

 seedlings during their first season's growth in the seed- 

 bed. 



As this disease is now so prevalent, I would recommend 

 the total rejection of American seedlings unless grown 

 from seed positively known to be the product of sound 

 trees. It is safer to import stocks from Europe, where 

 the plum-tree is exempt from the black-knot. 



In regard to other stocks, as the apple, pear, cherry, 

 etc., usually grown from seed saved promiscuously, the 

 greatest care should be taken to select and plant out, for 

 budding or grafting upon, only such as show unmistaka- 

 ble signs of health and vigor; all others should be dis- 

 carded. The strongest stocks come from the sound and 

 healthy seed, and it is a pretty safe rule to discard the 

 small ones. 



A discriminating spirit is already becoming apparent 

 among the best classes of cultivators, and their example 

 will soon be felt. The selection of seeds for stocks is a 

 point of more than ordinary importance, and merits the 

 special attention of every man engaged, to whatever ex- 

 tent, in the propagation of fruit trees. 



Production of New Varieties. New varieties are pro- 

 duced from seeds that have been properly hybridized, as 

 described in the article on hybridization, or from seeds of 

 the best specimens of the best varieties. 



Where it is desired to obtain seedlings of a particular 

 variety, free from any crossing with others, the flowers 

 4* 



