STOCK AND CION HANDLING 



193 



for cider making. Seeds from cultivated apple trees are 

 considered inferior and when mixed with wild crab seeds 

 reduce the value of the sample. The seed, washed from 

 the pomace at cider mills and on farms, is dried in the 

 open air. Normandy is the leading source of the seed. 



In early winter the nurserymen mix the newly secured 

 seed with sifted river sand and store the boxes in shel- 

 tered places, such as stables and outhouses, care being 



taken to prevent attacks of _ 



mice. The sand, kept moist, 

 is stirred occasionally. 

 When the seeds begin to 

 swell (in about a month), 

 they are either placed in 

 cold frames or sown in the 

 field. In the former case 

 the seedlings are trans- 

 planted. Three or four 

 weeks are needed for ger- 

 mination. Lukewarm water, 

 used by some growers, has- 

 tens germination, but is 

 considered inexpedient by 

 many. Some growers soak 

 the seed 48 hours before 

 planting, but the plan is 

 not widely popular. It is 

 used only when the season 

 is precocious and hastened 

 germination seems neces- 

 sary. 



French layers (Fig. 55) of Doucin and Paradise apples 

 are cut from the parent plants in the fall and either sold 

 that season in spite of their small roots or they are trans- 

 planted and grown in nursery rows the following year to 

 make vigorous plants. The latter cost more. 



248. Vermont crab stocks are grown from seeds gath- 



FIG. 162 FIRST PRUNING OF 

 BUDDED TREE 



Stock top and pruners in center. Budded 

 tree at right. 



