226 THE NURSERY-MANUAL 



able to almonds, as stocks. Where irrigation is practiced, pref- 

 erences are expressed for the peach stocks as they withstand the 

 fluctuating moisture conditions better than the almond. The 

 almond unites well with Prunus (or Amygdalus) Davidiana, the 

 " wild peach of China/' and its roots appear to be more resistant 

 to alkali in the soil than are peach roots, but its ultimate influence 

 on the size, longevity, vigor and productiveness of the tree has 

 not been determined. The myrobalan plum has been used as a 

 stock for almonds, and recommended especially for poorly drained 

 soils, but the almond outgrows the plum stock, although the union 

 appears to be strong. The result is a dwarfing of the tree, and ap- 

 parently such trees do not bear as well as those on almond or 

 peach stocks. 



The so-called flowering almonds (several species of Prunus) will 

 grow from root-cuttings if on their own roots. Heel-in the plants 

 in fall, and buds will begin to form from the roots in a few weeks ; 

 then make cuttings. Results are less satisfactory when cuttings 

 are taken directly on first digging the plants. They are some- 

 times budded on myrobalan plum stock, but these stocks are likely 

 to sprout or sucker badly and to outgrow the top. See Prunus. 



Alnus (Alder). Betulaceoe. 



Propagated usually by seeds, which are gathered in the fall and 

 dried. The seeds are sown in spring under a light covering and the 

 beds are kept moist and protected from sun. Sometimes the bed 

 is covered with a thin layer of moss, which is removed after germina- 

 tion. The seedlings are transplanted the first autumn or the fol- 

 lowing spring to nursery row r s. Alders are also increased by suckers, 

 by cuttings, and by grafting. Hardwood cuttings of some kinds 

 (as A. glutinosa) grow in moist sandy soil. Named varieties or 

 rare kinds are sometimes grafted indoors on potted stocks of the 

 ordinary kinds. 



Alocasia. Araceoe. 



Increased by seeds and divisions, as for caladium. Place 

 suckers or cuttings of rhizomes in small pots containing mixture 

 of light fibrous peat and sand in equal proportions, and plunge 

 in close frame or propagating-box with bottom heat. Seeds should 

 be sown in 4-inch pots in light peaty soil, with temperature of 

 75 F. March is best time for propagating. See Araceoe, page 

 239. 



