STOCKS. 



- knowledge is required and interest in fruit growing is 

 aroused and orchards planted, the question of stocks will, as in 

 other countries, force itself to the front as one of the most im- 

 portant questions confronting the planters. 



For several years after our establishment here it was a ques- 

 tion i except with the very few) which never appeared to be 

 considered at all, so long as the tree was a peach, pear, plum or 

 apple, it would fulfil every requirement of the purchaser; how- 

 ever, we have lately found considerable interest being taken in 

 this important question, mainly due we consider to the teachings 

 of the Government experts, who have invariably forced this im- 

 portant question to the front, and also through the more intelli- 

 gent planter having made inquiry into the reasons why some of 

 the trees are not growing satisfactorily. 



As nurserymen we have also tried to impress on planters the 

 importance of this (vide catalogues published in 1893 to 1915), 

 practically without result, however, until lately. 



Planters must realise that in ordering their trees they should 

 expressly stipulate that the trees be of the stock which is best 

 suited to their soil ; so much depends on this. At the same time 

 they must bear in mind that there may be technical considerations 

 which go against what otherwise should be a sound choice of 

 stock. We refer to the fact that some fruits don't thrive on roots 

 that they apparently should thrive on. 



As we are now frequently asked our opinion re stocks, we 

 think it will assist planters to enter into the matter at some length 

 by bringing forward the result of a careful study for some years 

 and showing how, from time to time we have narrowed up our 

 list of stocks. 



Apples. There are practically three classes of stocks known 

 to the trade: 



(i) Mains cotnmunis (common apple), which should be the 

 seedling grown from the selected apples as pressed out 

 at the cider mill or at the drying sheds. 

 Paradis (mains paradisical, which is the usual dwarfing 

 stock used by planters. 



(3) Blight proof stocks which are generally of the North- 

 ern Spy or Winter Majetin variety, and are resistant 

 against the woolly aphis or American Blight. 



The common apple has been the stock generally used ; it is 

 "healthy and free growing, without any dwarfing tendency, and 

 makes in every way a sound healthy tree, its most dangerous 

 enemy being the woolly aphis. All varieties so far as we know 

 <do equally well on this stock. This stock is, however, now being 



