Tree Study 781 



branches allows more light to reach down into the tree, and gives greater 

 vigor to the branches which are left. A limb should be pruned off smoothly 

 where it joins the larger limb, and there should be no stump projecting; the 

 wound should be painted so as not to allow fungus spores to enter. 



We should not forget that we have a native apple, which we know as the 

 thornapple. Its low, broad head in winter makes a picturesque point along 

 the fences; its fine, thick spray, spread horizontally, makes a fit framework 

 for the bridal bouquet which will grow upon it in June ; and it is scarcely 

 less beautiful in autumn, when covered with the little, red apples called 

 "haws." Though we may refrain from eating these native apples, which 

 consist of a bit of sweet pulp around large seeds, the codling-moth finds 

 them most acceptable. 



LESSON CXCIX 

 THE APPLE TREE 



Leading thought The tree of each variety of apple has its own character- 

 istic shape, although all apple trees belong to one general type. The variety 

 of the apple grown upon the tree is not determined by the kind of seed 

 which is planted to produce the tree, but by the process of grafting or 

 budding the young tree. 



Method A visit to a large, well-grown orchard in spring or autumn will 

 aid in making this work interesting. Any apple tree near at hand may be 

 used for the lesson. 



Observations i. How tall is the largest apple tree you know? What 

 variety is it? How old is it? How can you distinguish old apple trees 

 from young ones at a glance ? 



2. Choose a tree for study: How thick is its trunk? What is the 

 shape of its head? Does the trunk divide into large branches or does it 

 extend up through the center of the head? 



3 . What sort of bark has it ? What is the color of the bark ? 



4. Does the spray stand erect or is it gnarled and querly? Does the 

 spray grow simply at the ends of the branches or along the sides of the 

 branches ? 



5. Are the leaves borne at the tip of the spray? Are the leaves oppo- 

 site or alternate? Describe or sketch an apple leaf. D<5es it have stipules 

 at its base when it first appears ? 



6. What is the character of apple-tree wood ? What is it used for ? 



7 . Did this tree come from a seed borne in an apple of the same variety 

 which it produces? What is the purpose of grafting a tree? What is a 

 scion? How and why do we choose a scion? How do we prepare a 

 branch to receive the scion? If you should place the scion at the center of 

 the branch would it grow? Where must it be placed in order to grow? 

 How do we protect the cut-end of the branch after it is grafted ? Why ? 



8. What is meant by the term "budding?" What is the difference 

 between grafting and budding? Describe the process of budding. 



9. Where is budding done on a large scale ? How do nurserymen know 

 what special varieties of apples their nursery stock will bear? How old is a 

 tree when it is budded ? How old when it is sold to the orchardist ? 



10. Why should the soil around apple trees be tilled? Is this the prac- 

 tice in the best-paying orchards? 



11. What is often used as a cover crop in orchards? When is this 

 planted? For what purpose? 



