43 



Continuing this same idea we are brought to a study of the 

 influence of stock on scion, or scion on stock. That there is an 

 influence, and a marked one, is conceded by all authorities. In- 

 deed, any observing orchardist may see the evidence in his own 

 orchard, and all nurserymen are still more familiar with the de- 

 tails. 



For instance, we may have the best stock, and yet the budded 

 or grafted tree on these same roots will vary much as to growth 

 and vigour. The Japanese variety of plums will make an im- 

 mense growth on either plum or peach root, while the Bradshaw, 

 Yellow Egg, etc., grow feebly in comparison. A vigorous top 

 growth always indicates a correspondingly strong root growth, 

 and anyone at all unfamiliar with these things would be amazed 

 at seeing the root of a Burbank and of a Bradshaw plum tree, 

 though prior to the budding or grafting process, both stocks or 

 roots were exactly the same. 



\Yithout illustrating further, for these are horticultural facts, 

 the question naturally arises, how to best apply this knowledge 

 for practical purposes. There are two ways : One is for the 

 nurseryman to supply trees grown on the best roots, budded 

 from selected trees, and where the variety is known to be of 

 feeble habit, to double work. As an example of " double work- 

 ing," Dr. A. Sharpies, of Goshen, Oregon, believes the Tennant 

 prune to be the best plum stock for that State, particularly as to 

 cold resistance. He has found that the Tennant everywhere 

 was uninjured during very severe freezes which destroyed many 

 trees of other varieties. Those who have planted Tennant trees 

 in California must have noticed their exceptional vigour and 

 hardiness as compared with other trees, and this variety on peach 

 root from seedling peaches, top-worked with any feeble-growing 

 varieties of the plum family, would in all probability result in a 

 tree of great vitality and productiveness. 



The second way is for the orchardist to plant his orchard 

 with whatever varieties are the best growers, let them be Tennant 

 prune, Keiffer pear. Spy apple, or anything else and top-graft 

 them himself in a few years, or in blocks, as he wants them. 

 There is an additional advantage in this, as the orchardist would 

 have more time to decide as to what varieties were best, and the 

 stocks would be planted and growing, so there would be little 

 loss of time. 



The Robe de Sergent prune in California is not altogether 

 satisfactory, being an uncertain cropper, and it is also complained 

 that the tree is tender. In the writer's orchard were a few 

 trees of Italian prune on peach root : these were grafted with 

 Robe de Sergent Scions, and the result shows trees much larger 

 and stronger than those on Myrobolan root, and not double 

 worked, and, what is even more valuable, thev have borne 



