Old home pear rootstock propagated by hardwood cuttings

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.