PROPAGATION OF STOCKS. 



115 



and especially for vei^ vigorous growing sorts. It is 

 known as tlie small-leaved. 



We have tried both extensively, and find bnt very little 

 ditFerence thus far in the results obtained. We are now 

 engaged in experiments testing the fitness of another 

 variety quite distinct in its character, habits of growth, 

 (fee, from all the others. It is remarkably erect, with a 

 bushy, branching head, and roots composed almost entirely 

 of fine fibres. Every cutting grows when other sorts are a 

 complete failure ; and a cutting made of a stout shoot set 

 in the ground in April may be budded in September. The 

 largest plants we have are but three years old ; and judg- 

 ing from these, it will not attain so large a size as the 

 Angers, but the pear seems to unite well with it, and we 

 believe it will make an excellent stock, for free growing 

 kinds particularly. It is yet too soon, however, to decide 

 upon its merits in any respect, except that of being easily 

 propagated. 



The Mountain Ash, it is said, makes a good stock for 

 certain varieties in very light, sandy soils, when neither 

 the pear nor quince succeeds w^ell. It is propagated from 

 seed, and requires to be two years old before being worked. 



The Thorn. — Seedlings of our vigorous native thorns 

 make good stocks when about three years old ; the seeds 

 require to be in the rot heap one year before sowing. The 

 only cases in which it can be recommended, are those in 

 which a soil may be so wet and cold as to be unfit for the 

 pear or quince ; but it is better to improve such soils by 

 draining, subsoil ploughing, and by the addition of suitable 

 composts, for even the thorn will fail in giving satisfac- 

 tion on a stifi", cold soil. 



3d. Stocks for the Cherry. — ^The principal stocks used 

 for the cherry are the mazzard for standard orchard trees, 

 and the mahaleh for garden pyramids and dwarfs. 



Mazzard Seedlings. — ^The mazzard cherry is a lefty, 



