The apricot does well upon the peach, especially on light soils. In the warmer parts of the country peach is much used. Plum stocks are commonly used at the north, especially if the trees are to be planted in moist or heavy soils. The common plum is generally used, but some of the native plum stocks are now coming into favor, especially in trying climates. The Russian apricots, which are a hardy race of _Prunus Armeniaca_, are grown in colder climates than the common varieties, and they therefore demand hardy stocks. Any of the native plums make good stocks, but the Marianna is now coming into especial prominence. The myrobolan plum can be used for all apricots, but it is not popular, particularly in severe climates. The almond, both hard and soft-shelled, is sometimes used for the apricot, but the union is likely to be imperfect and it is not recommended. Almond-rooted trees are best adapted to light soils. Varieties of apricots are usually budded, in the same way as the peach, although they may be side-grafted at the crown in the nursery row. =Aquartia.= See Solanum. =Aquilegia= (Columbine). _Ranunculaceæ._ Increased by seeds. They must be sown very thinly, soon after being ripe, in a sandy soil or in pans in a cold-frame. Division of the root is the only way to perpetuate any particular variety with certainty. =Arabis= (Wall Cress, Rock Cress). _Cruciferæ._ Increased by seeds sown in the border or in pans, in spring. By divisions of the root, and by cuttings placed in a shady border during summer. =Arachis= (Pea-Nut, Ground-Nut). _Leguminosæ._ Increased by seeds, which should be sown in heat; and, when the plants have grown to a sufficient size, they should be potted off singly. See under Pea-Nut. =Arachnimorpha.= See Rondeletia. =Aralia.= _Araliaceæ._ Propagated by seeds and by root-cuttings; also by stem cuttings, in heat. =Araucaria,= Eutacta. _Coniferæ._ Increased by seeds sown in pans or boxes, with but gentle heat. By cuttings from the leading shoots, placed firmly in a pot of sand; they first require a cool place, but afterwards may be subjected to a slight warmth. When rooted, pot off into fibrous loam, mixed with leaf soil and sand. =Arbor-vitæ.= See Thuya. =Arbutus= (Strawberry Tree). _Ericaceæ._ Increased by seeds, which should be sown in sand during early spring, and by grafting, budding, or inarching upon _A. Unedo._ =Arctotheca=. _Compositæ._ Propagated by divisions of the plant, or by cuttings in spring. =Arctotis.= _Compositæ._ Propagated by cuttings, which may be made at any time; they should be pricked in pots of very sandy soil, and placed in very gentle warmth. They must be kept uncovered and moderately dry, or they will rot. =Ardisia.= _Myrsineæ._ Propagated by seeds and cuttings.