IX 



THE DWARF APPLE-TREE 



We have learned that many kinds of apples and apple- 

 trees may come from a batch of seeds. Differences are 

 expressed in the tree as well as in the fruit. In fact, 

 stature is usually one of .the characteristics of the variety. 

 Here I open Downing's great book, "The Fruits and 

 Fruit-Trees of America," and find the description of a 

 certain variety beginning : "Tree while young very slow 

 in its growth, but makes a compact well-formed head in 

 the orchard," and another: "Tree vigorous, upright 

 spreading, and productive." We know the small stature 

 and early bearing of the Wagener (wherefore it is often 

 planted in the orchard as a filler), and the great wide- 

 spreading head of the Tompkins King with the apples 

 scattered through the tree. 



Now it so happens that in the course of time certain 

 great races of the apple-tree have arisen, we do not know 

 just why or how. There is the race or family of the 

 russets and of the Fameuse. So are there several races 

 very small in stature, remaining perhaps no larger than 

 bushes. If we Avere to propagate any of the ordinary 

 apples on such diminutive stocks, we should have a 

 "dwarf apple-tree." 



The dwarf apple, then, is not a question of variety 

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