PROPAGATION OF STOCKS. 127 



to be transferred to nursery rows in the spring follow- 

 ing ; a year is thus saved, but the stocks are, of course, 

 much inferior. If earthed up in midsummer, they will be 

 partially rooted in the autumn, too, but not so well as if 

 bent down; for the bending has a tendency to stop the 

 sap at the point fastened to the ground, and hastens the 

 formation of roots. This stock may also be propagated 

 from root cuttings. 



The Paradise. This, also, is a distinct species of apple. 

 The tree is of very small size, never attaining over three 

 to four feet in height. It is used for stocks for dwarf 

 trees or bushes that occupy but a small space in the gar- 

 den. It is propagated in precisely the same manner as 

 that described for the Doucin. 



2d. Stocks for the Pear. The pear seedling and the 

 quince are the only two stocks on which the pear can be 

 advantageously worked to any considerable extent. The 

 Mountain Ash and the Thorn are occasionally used for 

 special purposes only. 



Pear Seedlings. The seeds are obtained by collecting 

 such fruits as can be had containing perfect seeds. Nearly 

 all the seeds used \\\ this country, of late years, have been 

 imported from Europe. Great care should be taken to 

 gather the fruits of hardy, healthy, vigorous trees only, 

 and the seeds should be full and plump. The seeds are 

 separated and washed, as described for apples. They arc 

 also saved and planted in a manner similar in all respects ; 

 but, in this country, it is a much more difficult matter to 

 succeed with pear seedlings than with the apple. This 

 difficulty is owing chiefly to a species of fungus, called 

 " leaf-blight," that attacks the leaves of the young plants, 

 very often before they have completed their first season's 

 growth. To obviate the difficulty which this malady pre- 

 sents, a vigorous growth should be obtained early in the 

 season. New soil, or that in which trees have not be- 

 fore been grown, should be selected an old pasture is the 



