PROPAGATION OF FRUIT TREES. 203 



remain there for one year ; then transplant them 3ft. apart 

 in rows 6ft. asunder. As soon as the branches meet, 

 again lift and replant loft, apart each way. The seedlings 

 of Apples usually commence to bear fruit wheri seven to 

 ten years old, and those of Pears when twelve to fifteen 

 years old. <r If the fruit produced promises to be a distinct 

 novelty, then take scions from the tree, and graft them 

 on the Crab or the Paradise stock in the case of Apples ? 

 and the Quince for Pears. 



Crabs for forming stocks for grafting Apples on should 

 be reared as follows. Extract the pips from ripe Crabs in 

 the autumn, and store them in sand till spring; then sow 

 them in drills lin. deep and 6in. apart. The seeds should 

 be placed 3in. apart in the drills. The following autumn 

 transplant the seedlings ift. apart in rows 3ft. asunder. 

 Shorten the tap roots about half-way. The next autumn 

 again transplant 3ft. apart, and the third year transplant 

 6ft. apart. When the stems are fin. in diameter they are 

 ready for grafting. 



Apricot seeds (stones) should be sown as soon as ripe 

 (August or September) 6in. apart in drills 2in. deep and 

 6in. asunder, in a warm, sheltered border. The following 

 autumn lift the seedlings, shorten the tap-roots, and re- 

 plant 2ft. apart in rows 3ft. asunder. The trees begin to 

 yield fruit when five to seven years old. 



Plums, Bullaces, and Damsons are reared in the same 

 way. If to be used as stocks for budding, the seedlings 

 should be cut back close to the soil in February after the 

 first transplanting. 



Cherry stones sow in the same manner as soon as ripe. 

 Transplant the seedlings the second year ift. apart in 

 rows 3ft. asunder. If required as stocks for budding, bud 

 them the following summer; but if to be fruited, trans- 

 plant the next autumn 2ft. apart in rows. 4ft. asunder. 



Peaches, Almonds, and Nectarines, sow as advised for 

 Apricots. If to be used as stocks, bud the seedlings when 

 two years old. Plums, Peaches, Cherries, and Nectarines 

 begin to bear fruit when five to seven years old. 



