440 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
FRUIT STOCKS 
Questions are often asked concerning stocks, what they 
are, where they come from, why one stock is preferred to 
another. The following is a brief account of the various 
kinds used. Apples are very largely budded and grafted 
upon American grown seedlings which are raised in great 
quantities through the middle west from crab seed imported 
from France, although a large quantity of the stocks are also 
imported annually from France and lately Holland has begun 
to export them. 
' It is largely a matter of opinion as to whether the foreign 
or domestic arc the best. 
The imported stocks have branched roots and some claim 
make a more vigorous stock for budding. 
The home grown stocks are not branched and are used 
more for grafting root. This is done in the winter, the 
grafted roots being kept in storage until spring when they are 
planted out in the field. 
Paradise stocks arc raised from layers and is entirely a 
French production. They are used for dwarfing the trees 
but are not very extensively used in this country. 
Plums are mostly budded on the Myrobolan Plum stock, 
Prunus cerasifera. The seed comes from Italy and the 
stocks are grown in France and in the North-west. 
There are two kinds of stock used for cherries, viz.: 
Mahaleb Cerasus Mahaleb, a dwarf growing wild cherry from 
South Europe, and Mazzard, a native wild cherry. 
The Mahaleb stock is most generally used, though not 
largely on the Pacific Coast. The Mazzard is a stronger 
growing stock and is particularly adapted to the Pacific 
Coast, and is almost entirely used there. It is also used to 
some extent in the east, where it produces very strong trees, 
but can only be grown where constant spraying is practiced. 
Pears to a large extent are budded on French Pear Stocks 
although some sorts do well on Japanese and Kieffer Pear 
stocks, both of which are grown in America. Of late years 
the Frenchman are also growing and exporting the Japanese 
and Kieffer stocks. The majority of the American stocks 
are grown in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, 
though some smaller lots are grown in Iowa and Kansas. 
Quince stocks are used for dwarfing and largely come^ from 
France. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 
Can you tell us of a machine or process for getting out 
Osage Orange Seed for early fall delivery or tell how to 
construct one? We want to get several hundred pounds 
and want it before it will have time to freeze and soften the 
balls. G. Y. 
We do not know of any such machine, nor do we think 
there is one. The only method we know of for cleaning the 
seed from the balls is to let the balls lay out of doors all 
winter and the action of the frost will finally rot them, when 
the seed can be easily extracted by washing the rotten pulp 
in water. 
Where seed is wanted in the Fall, it is usually the better 
plan to use the one year old seed as such seed is perfectly good 
and full of germinating power and a good stand of seedlings 
can be raised from it. 
BUSINESS DRESS 
It is not the purpose of this article to discuss the proper 
dress of the nurseryman or his representative when he meets 
customers whether it be business suit mornings. Prince Albert 
afternoon and full dress after 6 p. m.; taking it for granted 
that either will have sufficient pride to make a good appear¬ 
ance. 
Nurserymen seldom see their patrons, and in the large 
mail order houses the majority of customers are never seen; 
therefore, that which goes forth from the establishment must 
have good business dress so as to impress the patron or would 
be patron with the stability and scope of the concern. 
If you would attract trade through advertising, the “ad” 
should be truly representative of the business, not slip-shod, 
thrown together meaningless phrases but properly dressed to 
impress the would-be buyer. 
The inquirer is another who must be properly impressed 
by the dress of the communications he receives. The 
catalogue or other literature to be sent while not necessarily 
appearing expensive or overdone should bear the ear-marks 
of knowledge, fitness and good taste both as to material and 
workmanship even to the envelope and the address written 
thereon. The form letter or other communication must 
have the appearance of being original and not a sloppy, 
besmirched, uneven dark and light mimeograph copy, poorly 
put together on a letter head that looks as though it came out 
of the “ark.” The letter paper should bo good and the 
printing or engraving thereon neat and tastefully arranged 
but nothing extremely expensive. 
The best form letters for appearance are filled in imitation 
typewritten or better still original typewritten and contain a 
genial greeting and introduction to the house together with a 
good selling vein. Rather than a poor imitation letter use a 
neatly printed announcement. The envelope enclosing the 
letter should be in accord therewith. 
Bills, circulars, tags, labels, post cards, etc., emanating 
from the establishment should show individuality, good 
taste and care in dress impressing the customer that his order 
is in the hands of a concern being careful in every detail to 
render efficient service and that he may expect his purchases, 
inquiries and direction to have individual and careful atten¬ 
tion. 
The small business that is a one man concern can also 
profit by putting its attention on care, neatness, etc., in 
everything going to its customers thus showing the indi^dd- 
uality of the proprietor in every communication or transac¬ 
tion. Let the dress be simple and plain but good. 
First impressions are lasting, therefore, meet your unseen 
customer in your best style just as you would send out your 
very best stock on an order in which your reputation was at 
stake. Do not endeavor to make a small business appear 
large but make it individual. With a large concern let every 
thing going out from the establishment impress with scope, 
stability and facility. 
The public judges largely by appearances, so let the dress 
of your various silent representatives impress all favorably 
and then after making the good impression back it up by the 
best of service that all may be in keeping. 
George W. Ottinger. 
