48 



Another topic of considerable importance is the relative hardi- 

 ness of seedling stocks grown from seeds of hardy varieties. There 

 are those who claim that stocks grown from Northern Spy seeds, for 

 example, are resistant to attacks of woolly aphis. This point has 

 not been distinctly proven. From the fact, however, that the seedling 

 rarely reproduces the qualities of the parent variety to any marked 

 extent, so far as fruit and manner of growth is concerned, it can 

 hardly be expected that it will retain this important characteristic 

 of hardiness with any greater degree of certainty. When relatively 

 small numbers of stocks are to be raised, however, it might pay to 

 grow them from seeds of such hardy varieties as Northern Spy, Ben 

 Davis, etc. (Such stocks can sometimes be bought.) 



Pedigreed trees, or trees of known parentage, have already been 

 referred to. The idea that stock propagated from trees which are 

 especially fruitful or which bear fruit of exceptional quality will 

 reproduce these desirable characteristics has been gaining much pop- 

 ularity in the past few years, though it has been practiced uncon- 

 sciously for centuries in the selection of seeds. In graftage, however, 

 sex does not count, which makes of it a different problem. That 

 this characteristic may or may not be transmitted depends probably 

 upon many circum.stances, two important ones of which are: (i) 

 Is this particular tree notably fruitful because it is especially favored 

 by external conditions, such as food, moisture, etc.? or, (2) Is this 

 tendency to fruitfulness a reproduction of a characteristic of its 

 parent? If the former, we should expect no transference of the 

 characteristic. If the latter, it is reasonable to expect that the char- 

 acteristic will be transmitted. In the vegetable kingdom the bud and 

 not the plant is the unit. Every bud is different from every other 

 bud, and if detached is capable of reproducing a similar plant if 

 given the proper environment. Every tree of any one variety is the 

 asexual offspring of a single bud or tree. Occasionaly a certain bud 

 or branch on a tree or plant is entirely different from its fellows. 

 The tree sports, as the horticulturists say. Many new varieties 

 arise in this way. The nectarine is simply a sm^ooth skinned peach, 

 the result of a sporting bud. The King grape is a bud sport of the 

 Concord. Both are propagated by budding or by cuttings, and re- 

 produce their kind. If then, the more fruitful tree is the result of a 

 bud variation, we may expect it to transmit that characteristic to its 

 asexual posterity. If its fruitfulness is due to external influences, 

 such as food, moisture, etc., then it can not be expected to transmit 

 these characteristics to its asexual offspring. In other words, we 

 must know the history of the parent before we can determine 

 whether or not it will transmit such a characteristic as extraordinary 

 fruitfulness to nursery stock propagated from it. 



Such questions, the would-be grower of fruit trees for his own 

 use, must take into consideration and decide for himself until more 

 definite proofs are at hand. 



Member. How about the insect troubles ? 



Prof. Wright. The orchardist has as many insect troubles to 

 look after as the nurseryman. It can be sprayed with the same 

 spraying machine as we use in the orchard. 



