Dwarf stocks are mostly obtained from mound-layering. The common stock for dwarfing is the Paradise apple, a dwarf variety of the common apple species (_Pyrus Malus_). This variety rarely attains a height of more than four feet. A larger or freer stock is the Doucin, also a variety of _Pyrus Malus_, which will produce an engrafted tree intermediate in size between that given by the Paradise and free or common stocks. This is little used in this country. To obtain stools for mound-layering, the tree, when well established, is cut off within four or six inches of the ground in spring, and during the summer several shoots or sprouts will arise. The next year the stool is covered by a mound, and by autumn the layers are ready to take off. Sometimes, when stocks are rare, mound-layering is performed during the first summer, before the young shoots have hardened, but good stocks are not obtained by this method. Common green layering is sometimes practiced the first year, but it is not in favor. The dwarf stocks, in common with all apple stocks, may be propagated by root-cuttings and by hard-wood cuttings. Apple stocks are either grafted or budded. Root-grafting is the most common, especially at the west where long scions are used in order to secure own-rooted trees. (See Chapter V.) Budding is gaining in favor eastward and southward; it is performed during August and early September in the northern states, or it may be begun on strong stocks in July by using buds which have been kept on ice. Stocks should be strong enough to be budded the same year they are transplanted, but the operation is sometimes deferred until the second summer. Stocks which cannot be worked until the second year are unprofitable, especially on valuable land. For root-grafting, strong one-year-old roots are best, but two-year-olds are often used. In common practice, the root is cut into two or three pieces of two to three inches each, but stronger trees are obtained, at least the first year or two, by using the whole root and grafting upon the crown. The lowest piece is usually small and weak and is generally discarded. The apple is easily top-grafted and top-budded. (See Chapter V.) =Apple Berry.= See Billardiera. =Apricot= (_Prunus Armeniaca_). _Rosaceæ._ The apricot thrives upon a variety of stocks. Apricot stocks are used in apricot-growing regions, especially for deep and rich well-drained soils. The pits grow readily if given the same treatment as that detailed for the peach (which see). The stocks are also handled in the same manner as peach-stocks. Apricots upon apricot roots are not largely grown outside of California, in this country. Apricot stocks can be grown from root-cuttings the same as cherries and other stone-fruits.