4 HOETICULTURAL MAXUAL. 



rience has also shown that the pits of our highly-developed 

 cherries and plums are either entirely abortive or of little 

 value for stocks on account of feeble growth. On the 

 other hand, the pits of the wild cherries of Europe or of 

 our native wild red cherry develop vigorous, strong-grow- 

 ing stocks, and the same is true of the primitive plums of 

 Europe and America. 



Over all parts of Europe the seeds of the native primi- 

 tive orchard fruits are alone used for stocks. In the States 

 where safe from root-killing these European wild stocks are 

 also prized on account of their uniform and vigorous 

 growth. This has favored the use of French crab-seed, 

 the seed of the small Perry pears of Europe, and the use of 

 the primitive Mazzard and Mahaleb cherry stocks, as well 

 as stocks of the Myrobalan and St. Julien plum. These im- 

 ported primitive stocks are found to develop strong, uni- 

 form seedlings, while those from cider-press seed or from 

 marketable fruits of any kind are weak, uneven, and rela- 

 tively worthless. As the years go on, more attention will 

 be given to gathering our native seeds for propagation 

 where possible; and if imported, let it be from the parts of 

 Europe corresponding in climate most nearly to the differ- 

 ent parts of our Union. 



For commercial use and transportation such carbonaceous 

 seeds as apple, pear, quince, and the small fruits require 

 careful drying and storing in a dry room. Freezing will 

 not harm them if kept dry. The conifer seed can also be 

 kept dry until time for planting. The subtropical flower- 

 seeds and fruit-seeds not only require dry storage quarters, 

 but freedom from severe freezing. If kept dry they may 

 germinate, but their vitality will be low if frozen. 



5. Seed-stratification. The practice known as strati- 

 fication by gardeners is simply mixing thoroughly the seeds 

 with sand in a box and burying outside on dry ground, with 



