FRUIT GROWING ON THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. T 
determination of the form and shape of tree best adapted to this 
area. 
By far the hardiest stock for apples and crab apples is the true 
Siberian crab (Pyrus baccata). Other desirable stocks are seed- 
lings of the hardiest named crabs, such as Red Siberian, Yellow Si- 
berian, Virginia, and Transcendent. At present, such stocks or seeds 
are difficult to obtain in commercial quantities and consequently are 
not as generally used as they should be. French crabs and the so- 
called Vermont stocks are worthless for this section. Trees of the 
hardiest varieties when on such stocks are likewise worthless unless 
they have produced 
sufficient scion roots 
to support the tree 
when the stock root 
succumbs. 
On account of their 
extreme hardiness the 
seedlings of Pyrus 
baccata are very de- 
sirable for budding or 
for making piece-root 
or whole-root grafts. 
Tf these stocks have a 
somewhat dwarfing 
effect, as is claimed, 
they appear even more 
desirable, as the most 
promising cultural 
methods are those 
which require bushy Fic. 2.—A high-headed apple tree with a long, exposed 
trunk, which is being killed by sun scald. 
dwarf trees. uae 
Experiments are under way to determine the value of the native 
June berry and thorn apple as grafting and budding stocks for 
apples and crabs. These stocks are very hardy and also are likely to 
have a dwarfing effect. 
Seedlings from native trees of Prunus americana have proved very 
successful stocks for plums and hybrids both when used as budding 
stocks and for whole-root grafts. 
The native sand cherry (Prunus besseyii) has proved a very suc- 
cessful budding stock for plums, hybrids, apricots, and peaches. It 
also can be utilized successfully in the production of whole-root or 
plece-root grafts of plums and hybrids. It makes an exceptionally 
congenial stock for the sand-cherry hybrids, especially the Compass 
cherry. The usual objection to the use of this stock is that the trees 
produced are inclined to become top-heavy. This is true more especi- 
ally of budded trees and can be remedied by deep planting. This 
