I 



The Identification of Nursery Stock. 



There is much complaint of the failure of nursery stock to be true 

 to name. Orchardists are frequently desirous of knowing whether or 

 not newly purchased stock or other young trees are what they are 

 claimed to be. To determine this involves usually the identification 

 of the variety in the absence of fruit, a task that is difficult and in 

 many cases well-nigh impossible. 



We can attempt such work only in the case of apple varieties and 

 cannot guarantee accuracy in all cases, nevertheless we are glad to 

 receive specimens and render the best service possible. Also such 

 specimens may be of value to us in the work of the Experiment 

 Station. 



Persons desiring to submit shoots for examination should carefully 

 observe the instructions given under paragraph 6. It is necessary to 

 send two years growth of a free growing shoot and especial care 

 should be taken to forestall injury to the leaves. It is well to send a 

 few typical leaves from the present season's growth, smoothly 

 packed between layers of soft paper in the bottom of the package in 

 addition to those attached to the shoot. If no fruits are enclosed it 

 is well to dampen the packing material slightly. Instructions given 

 under paragraphs 5,7,8 and 9 should be followed. 



Leaf characters are of great value in identifying varieties and it is 

 impossible in most cases to do much without them. However if one 

 is desirous of submiting dormant shoots we will be glad to receive 

 them and do what we can. It is often possible to determine whether 

 or not a tree is correctly named even though in cases of substitution, 

 accidental or otherwise, it is impossible to tell what the variety is. 

 Dormant shoots should include two years growth of a free growing 

 shout and be tightly wrapped to check drying out. 



