50 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and vegetables. Such persons have only small grounds under 

 cultivation and cannot grow many large trees. In fact some of 

 the city lots where really good gardening is done would be 

 entirely monopolized by three or four full-sized Baldwin apple 

 trees. Dwarf apples, pears, or plums which can be set at six feet 

 apart, or even less, fit the space much better. A comparatively 

 large number of trees can be planted and many more varieties 

 can be indulged in. 



Another great advantage to this class of the population Ues in 

 the fact that dwarf trees come into bearing much earlier. Many 

 of these people live only a short time in any one place. They 

 move about freqvxently and it never seems worth while to plant 

 apple or pear trees which will bear no fruit inside of seven or 

 eight years. In seven or eight years they expect to be some- 

 where else. But trees which will bear fruit in two or three 

 years might seem worth while. These may be planted on rented 

 land. It seems to me that some special effort ought to be made 

 to bring this matter to the attention of the suburban gardeners. 



Dwarf trees are propagated by the usual methods of budding 

 and grafting. They are more commonly budded than grafted, 

 although whip grafting, side grafting or veneer grafting may be 

 successfully practiced with apples or even with pears. In certain 

 cases such grafts prove very satisfactory in the propagation of 

 plums. Still it remains true that budding is. more commonly 

 employed. In either case it is largely a matter of convenience. 

 Each nurseryman follows either method which seems most expe- 

 ditious in his own case. There is no difference in the tree after 

 it has grown, A budded tree is just as good as a grafted tree 

 and vice versa. 



The principal problem in the propagation of dwarf fruit trees 

 is the choice of suitable stocks. I will mention here the stocks 

 which have been found by experience to answer the purpose 

 best. 



Apples are usually dwarfed by propagating them on Paradise 

 stocks. Paradise is simply a very dwarf apple which is largely 

 grown from layers. The young trees are cut off near the ground 

 and are encouraged to throw up sprouts. These are covered over 

 with earth and when one or two vears old the stools are taken 



