PARADISE APPLE STOCKS. 
385 
or two years. Sometimes they undergo the process of trans- 
planting. These stocks are variously described in the trade 
as " one or two year bedded," " once transplanted/' &c. They 
approach the cutting rather than the layer. 
The " Stool " and its formation have been described in the cultural 
section of this Report (p. 368). The stool is simply the parent 
stock or plant from which cuttings or layers are taken. 
XIV. Relative Vigour. — Table VI. - 
There has proceeded, side by side with the identification work, 
a comparative study of the vigour of the types as demonstrated by 
the growth and habit of the stools and of the stocks grown as cordons 
for fruiting purposes. Whilst it is of course impossible to claim that 
the vigour thus shown is certain to reappear in the scions worked on 
the particular type, it is the only measure of comparative utility 
which it has been possible to make at present. Moreover, the actual 
vigour as revealed in the suitability of each type for stool-making 
must be of considerable practical importance to the nurseryman. 
Certain types, for instance, annually afford very numerous stocks, 
whilst others afford fewer but much more sturdy ones. These points 
are brought out in the comparative descriptions of the height, stout- 
ness, and annual number of shoots or layers of the stool growths. 
Another point of interest to the nurseryman will be the tendency 
towards cleanness or feathering and spininess, a characteristic which 
makes certain types considerably more valuable for the purposes 
of budding or grafting. That this characteristic may vary somewhat 
on different soils is true. It is illustrated by a comparison between 
our own description of the Doucin and French Paradise in this respect 
with the French description already quoted (p. 380) . At the same time 
this characteristic spininess has remained very fairly constant at East 
Mailing throughout the four years of examination. It is also certain 
that the strongest shoots tend to be much more spiny, where spines are 
at all characteristic, than the medium and weaker shoots. The relative 
liability to mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and scab (Fusicladium 
dendriticum) should also be of use in dealing with the nursery-bed. 
The fact, too, that the various Paradise types, as regards their vege- 
tative season, afford some sort of succession may prove useful where 
large stock beds have to be worked. The French nurserymen appear 
to prolong the period of " working " by using the Jaune de Metz in 
succession to the French — which is notably early in bud-breaking. 
What measure of forecast for future promise the other points in the 
' ' Vigour ' ' Table afford the grower it is impossible to say. The tendency 
to " sucker " from the roots at any rate is immediately useful as a 
guide, for this has been a constant source of annoyance to growers. 
This habit appears exceptionally marked in Types II. (Doucin), III. i 
and VIII. (French). The early appearance of " fruit buds" and 
blossom on certain types may afford some measure by which to judge 
the age at which the fruit-bearing period is likely to begin and the 
VOL, XLII. 2 c 
