THE APPLE. 



55 



in degree to the root vigour and character. 

 Experience with many varieties of fruits in 

 differing soils and situations proves, however, 

 that it is impossible to lay down a definite rule 

 even with regard to the behaviour of any one 

 variety under all circumstances on the respec- 

 tive stocks. Observation, too, will show that 

 this is not surprising, for it is possible to have 

 a seedling stock with abundant fibrous roots, 

 and it is equally possible to have a layered 

 stock with few fibres. We have seen many 



tUpO'W 



Fig. 850.— Wild Crab Apple Stock. 



Fig. 851.— Paradise Stock. 



that possessed all the characters considered to 

 be peculiar to the others. Then again the root 

 growth of the " free " stocks can be to some 

 extent modified by shortening the tap-root, or 

 bending it into a horizontal direction, while in 

 some soils a strong rooting habit is induced in 

 the Paradise and other layered stocks. In the 

 true types of each the difference is clear, but 

 they are rarely selected in that way, and the 

 result is all the divergent experiences recorded 

 by horticulturists regarding the adaptability of 

 certain varieties to different stocks. Apart from 

 this, some varieties of fruits possess an over- 

 powering vitality, the effects of which in a few 

 years are visible on both stocks and roots, com- 

 pletely extinguishing all special peculiarities of 

 the former. 



We may therefore take it in a general way 

 that seedling stocks encourage free growth and 

 postpone fruiting, but prolong tree life, while 

 the layered stocks restrict growth, promote 

 early fruit production, and possibly shorten the 

 average life of the tree. 



Many nurserymen now employ Paradise 

 stocks of their own selection, and use layers 

 from these almost exclusively. There are 



several types of the broad-leaved Paradise thus 

 employed, as well as the Nonesuch, all of which 

 have originated from selected seedlings. The 

 whole of these show greater strength than the 

 French Paradise, the Doucin, and others of 

 Continental origin, and are better adapted for 

 the Apple as cultivated in Great Britain, en- 

 suring fully developed and lasting trees. The 

 French Paradise stocks are used for producing 

 miniature trees, which flower very early. 



The Crab stocks raised from seed of trees 

 growing wild in the country usually present a 

 marked difference from "free" stocks, which 

 often are raised from the seeds of refuse Apples. 

 The latter are most variable, and produce corre- 

 sponding differences in the behaviour of the 

 Apples worked upon them; the true Crab after 

 the first few years makes moderate growth, and 

 rarely produces fruit in less than eight to ten 

 years. 



The Age of Trees. — The age of trees at the 

 time of planting has a bearing upon growth as 

 well as upon fruit production. It is frequently 

 asked : At what age is an Apple in the best state 

 for planting in its permanent quarters'? and 

 various answers are given in accordance with 

 equally varied experience. As regards growth 

 only, it has been proved in some instances that 

 a tree one year old from the bud or graft 

 becomes better established and forms a propor- 

 tionately more vigorous specimen in three or 

 four years' time from the planting, than an older 

 tree will do that has been subjected to several 

 removals. The effect on fruit production is not 

 so easily determined; but even in this respect 

 there are many cases where the ultimate advan- 

 tage has proved to be in favour of the younger 

 trees. If one-year-old trees are planted they 

 require extra care in the early pruning and 

 training, there is also a longer time to wait 

 before crops can be obtained; but against this 

 we have to take the lower cost of the trees and 

 their quick establishment. Well - developed 

 two-year-old trees are very serviceable, and for 

 garden purposes generally three-year-old pro- 

 perly-prepared trees are usually preferred, as 

 fruit is secured early. These remarks apply 

 specially to dwarf Apples on Paradise stocks; 

 in the case of standards it is seldom advisable 

 to purchase trees under three or four vears 

 old. 



In all instances the due preparation in a 

 nursery means that they should have been 

 lifted and replanted to keep the roots within 

 moderate limits. If a young tree has been left 

 undisturbed for a long time, and it has become 



