STOCK, in gardening, &c. the stem or trunk of a tree. What stock is most proper for each kind of fruit, ought as well to be considered and known, as what soil is most suitable to trees; for on these two things the future vigour of trees, and the goodness of fruits, equally depend. The best way for those who intend to plant, is to raise their own stocks, by which they will be better assured of what they do; but if they should buy their trees of nurserymen, they should diligently inquire upon what stocks they were propagated. See GRAFTING.