Having thus far detailed our experience upon the Pear, and having given what directions and instructions concerning its cultivation we deemed to be the best, it is now our intention to direct the reader to the cultivation of the APPLE, than which there is not a more generally esteemed or more useful fruit in cultivation. The varieties of the Apple are numberless, yet, notwithstanding, the really good and useful kinds are not so abundant. With a good selection and careful management during the winter and spring, it is quite an easy matter to encircle the year "with a gorgeous garland" of baking and dessert Apples. This was a feat once not of such easy accomplishment, but the skill and experience which have been brought to bear upon the raising of new and long-keeping varieties has accomplished the object for which our forefathers longed and waited in vain.

The Apple, like the Pear, should be propagated either by budding or grafting, or, where new varieties are wanted, by seed. Some of the more common sorts will succeed tolerably well from suckers and layers, but in all cases we would recommend them to be grafted or budded. There are various stocks used for the Apple, but the most common is what is popularly known as the "free stock" - the common Crab, or Pyrus Malus of Linn. There are several forms even of this stock, some of which are far more suitable than others. In selecting a Crab from which to gather seeds intended for raising stocks, there are several things to be considered. The tree should be healthy and fruitful, not a gross grower, and as little inclined to send up suckers as possible. If the tree is too gross in its growth, it will not prove a good stock, as it would impart too much vigour to the scion to make it fruitful; and all the root-pruning which might be done for it might never make it so fruitful a tree as if the stock used had not been so robust. The sort of stock which is best suited for the Apple in one locality may not be the best in another, and that for various reasons.

The "free stock" is best suited for localities such as this, where we have an amount of rainfall nearly equal to any in Britain, in addition to severe and protracted frosts, to which we are liable less or more nearly all the year round. It is no uncommon thing in this locality to see the grass crisp and white before sunrise even in June and July. I have made this explanation in order to convey to the reader an idea of the sort of climate we have in the west of Scotland, so that lie may clearly comprehend what are our reasons for preferring the "free" to the Paradise or any other stock for this district. We prefer it because it is more hardy, and can resist better the evil influences of the moisture and wetness of the locality, and because it is better adapted for resisting the severe frosts which often succeed a continuation of wet weather in early spring and winter. We should, however, prefer the Paradise stock if it combined the good qualities in these particulars which are possessed by its more robust brother.

When visiting Springwood Park, the seat of Sir George Douglas, in Roxburghshire, lately, I was favoured, through the goodness of Mr Wemyss, Sir George's able gardener, with a few stocks of a variety of Crab which has grown for hundreds of years in what is now called the Abbey Park, and which at one time was the property of the monks who inhabited Kelso Abbey. There are two trees standing together near the centre of the park, and tradition says - and appearance guarantees - that both had been planted by the monks. If this be so, they cannot be less than 325 years old; and in all probability they are much older, as the Abbey of Kelso was finally reduced to its present ruinous state in 1545. The two trees are as different in appearance the one from the other as day is from night. The one is strong, vigorous, and very healthy, and at a distance presents the appearance of a huge beech-tree. The trunk cannot be less than 10 feet in circumference, with a clear stem from 12 to 15 feet, from which the branches diverge in all directions, until they cover a space of ground which must be nearly 300 feet in circumference. It rises to a height of 60 or 70 feet, and is altogether by far the most noble tree of the kind I ever beheld. The other is quite a pigmy beside it.

Its height cannot be more than 25 feet, and the tree altogether may be considered to bear much the same proportions to the other in every respect. It is more compact in its habit, very short-jointed, and presents a prickly appearance much resembling a blackthorn. It is from this tree that the stocks I have got have been produced; and from the nature and habit of the tree I am convinced it will make an admirable stock for the Apple. Mr Wemyss showed me several trees in the gardens at Spring-wood which had been grafted upon stocks raised from it, and which proved how admirably they suited the purpose. Several of them had been grafted seventeen years ago, and presented all the appearance of healthfulness and good constitution which could be desired, while they were dwarfed in their growth equally as much as if the Paradise stock had been used. Their height would be between 5 and 6 feet, forming trim little bushes full of plump and healthy blossom-buds; and Mr Wemyss assured me that no trees in the garden gave more regular or better fruit.

Now this is the sort of stock which we require; and if it proves to be possessed of all the good qualities which I believe it has, it will be a great acquisition, especially to fruit-growers in Scotland and the north of England. The Paradise stock is in much demand with many growers; but, for the reasons already given, we are of opinion that it is neither hardy enough nor of good enough constitution for wet and cold localties; in fact, as a rule it will not give much satisfaction farther north than the midland counties of England. I do not deny the fact that it may live and do tolerably for a few short years anywhere in Britain, but it is a well-ascertained fact that beyond the line I have indicated it can never take the place of the "free stock".

The raising of Apple stocks is done exactly the same as I have already directed for Pears, so that it is quite unnecessary for me to enter into details regarding it. I may, however, give the details of how seedling Apples are raised in Normandy. I quote from Mr Thompson's 'Gardener's Assistant,' page 461: "In Normandy, where Apples are extensively cultivated, the pomace is taken and rubbed between the hands in a vessel of water, in order to separate the pulp from the pips. After allowing some time for settling, a part of the contents of the vessel is poured off, so as to get clear of the pomace and bad seeds, the pips at the bottom being the only ones that should be made use of. These are dried and kept in a dry place till they are sown. The sowing is then performed as soon as the hard frosts are over, for the seed of the Apple does not long maintain its germinative powers. The ground should be well prepared, finely pulverised, and enriched with decayed manure. Drills are made 1 inch deep, and from 7 to 9 inches apart, and in these the seeds are deposited, then covered with fine soil, and afterwards rolled, or pressed close with the back of the spade. It is sometimes advisable to mulch the surface, to prevent it becoming too dry.

When the plants are 1 or 2 inches high they are thinned out in rainy weather, otherwise the seed-beds should be watered to settle the earth about the roots of the plants left." The after-management of the seedlings with regard to transplanting and general management is exactly the same as I have given when treating of the raising of seedling Pears (see page 16 of the January number) • and as it is quite unnecessary to make a repetition of the same, I must refer the reader to that number for full information upon that point.

It is a point ever to be attended to, however, in the management of either stocks for grafting or seedling Apples, to get them to grow vigorously, and ever keep them in a healthy state. For this purpose they ought to be annually dressed with good rich manure, which ought not to be placed in direct communication with the roots, but in such a position as to derive all the benefit possible from it. Root-pruning of the stocks ought to be as regularly practised as if they were young Apple-trees; for it does not only keep the roots from wandering, but it is also the means of inducing a hardy and robust constitution in the plant, which it must at once impart to the scion. It is a well-ascertained fact that the stock has considerable influence over the scion, both with regard to the markings and colourings of the foliage, and the size and flavour of the fruit. If this be the case, it is quite an easy matter to see that the healthier and hardier the stock is before grafting, the healthier and hardier we must expect the scion to become after the union. In all garden practice this is an accepted rule; yet, strange to say, in the matter of stocks for grafting hardy fruit-trees upon, it is as a rule almost entirely lost sight of.

How often do we see a lot of stocks for grafting huddled up into an out-of-the-way corner altogether unsuited for their growth, receiving no attention whatever, but allowed to grow and ramble at large until they are required for grafting! Such practice is altogether antagonistic to sound reason, and no wonder the results of grafting upon such stocks should so often prove very unsatisfactory. Let us be more careful in the management of our stocks, and I fear not but that we shall have healthier and hardier young fruit-trees, which shall be a credit to the raiser and a profitable investment to the buyer. James M'Millan.

(To be continued).