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CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



much reference to the discussion, and our nurserymen now have 

 /large, thrifty myrobalan trees from which they secure their seed 

 supply. Growing stock from myrobalan cuttings is but little prac- 

 ticed. The myrobalan is now the accepted plum stock for Cali- 

 fornia, except in light, alluvial, well drained soils, where for the 

 French prune, peach, or almond may be preferred. Though 

 described by some authorities as a dwarfing stock, it is found to 

 be sufficiently free growing in California to suit all purposes, and 

 to form a good foundation for full standard trees, though the peach 

 and almond roots in proper soils give a quicker and greater growth. 

 Experience has shown that the myrobalan root thrives in this 

 State both in low, moist, valley lands, in comparatively dry lands, 

 and in stiff upland soils. 



In some soils especially adapted to the peach, peach roots are 

 preferred as stock for the French prune, but, as already said, all 

 plums can not be worked directly on the peach root, the Robe de 

 Sergeant, Columbia, Yellow Egg, Washington, and Sugar Prune 

 for example. Sometimes the bud or scion may make a large 

 growth, but the two woods do not unite, and the trees break off 

 sooner or later. 



Some work the plum on the apricot root, and report success 

 when the soil suits the apricot root, and the gophers do not get at 

 it. But it sometimes happens that the French prune parts from 

 the apricot root even after growing some time upon it. There are, 

 however, instances of the French prune thriving, and, apparently 

 making good union with the apricot root and some of the softer 

 wood varieties, like the Sugar Prune, take kindly to it. 



Some plums do well on the almond root and some do not. The 

 French prune succeeds admirably both when worked on young 

 almond stocks and top grafted in old almond trees. Success is 

 also reported with the Felenberg on the almond. But the almond 

 root is suited especially for warm, dry soils. Excellent results 

 from the use of almond stock are reported from the interior valley 

 and the Sierra foot-hills. 



Propagating by Sprouts. The French practice of growing cer- 

 tain varieties of the plum by means of sprouts from the base of 

 old trees has been successfully followed in this State by Felix 

 Gillet, of Nevada City, and was strongly commended by him as 

 securing a tree which will not gum, which is one of the reasons 

 why the same practice prevails in France. Sprouts growing at 

 the foot of old and large trees, and but few are found to each 

 tree, are taken off and planted close together in a bed to make them 

 root well, and the ensuing spring planted in nursery rows, where 

 they are trained like any other trees, and transplanted where to 

 remain, when branched. For this method it is necessary that 

 the parent tree should be upon its own roots, else one is apt to 



