Old Home pear—Pyruscommunis—rootstock can be propagated readily in commercial quantities by hardwood cuttings taken in the fall, treated with IBA—indolebutyric acid—and held under moist storage at 65°-70°F for about three weeks before planting. To take advantage of the Old Home blight-resistant properties, trees can be planted in place in the orchard and, after the trunk and primary scaffold branches are established, top-budded to Bartlett or other fruiting varieties.

The above progress report is based on Research Project No. 1450.