264 Stocks for Plums and Prunes. 
the seed of the Myrobalan vary as do other fruit seedlings, both 
in fruit and in foliage and habit of trees, and perhaps this fact 
has given rise to the distinction between “true” and “false” 
Myrobalan, so called. Practise has proceeded without much 
reference to the discussion, and whether grown here, from seed 
of trees imported long ago, or from cuttings of the same, or 
whether seedling stocks are imported directly from France, as 
large quantities are, the Myrobalan of French origin 1s now the 
accepted plum stock for California, except in light, alluviai, well- 
drained soils, where, for the French prune, peach or ‘almond 
may be preferred. The Myrobalan has -largely displaced the 
St. Julian and the Mirabetle, as well as the peach. 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 stock thrives in 
this State both in low, moist, valley lands, in comparatively dry 
lands, and in stiff upland soils. Thus it has come to be accepted 
as an all-around stock for the plum. 
In some soils especially adapted to the peach, peach roots 
are preferred as stocks 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, and Washing- 
ton, 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. 
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 Fellenberg 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 vallev and the Sierra foot-hills. 
Propagating by Sprouls—The French practise of growing 
certain 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 is strongly commended by him as 
securing a tree which will not gum, which is one of the reasons 
