280 



cases, quite around the circumference of the tree, eflectually girdling it — killing the 

 top, of course, and enfeebling the root. If not fatal, it produces a scar or wound 

 at that most vital point, the base or collar, always more or less unsound or injurious. 

 The immediate occasion of this evil is, doubtless, the expansion of the freezing 

 sap, occurring perhaps on this wise: when the first severe frosts of autumn 

 come, they, of course, chill and stop the circulation of sap, first in the extremities, 

 while it still continues in the bodies; progressively, however, it is checked above 

 by the frost, until finally the ascending current accumulates at the surface, and so 

 abundantly, that, when frozen, an expansion and rupture of the vessels must ensue 

 Thus the extent of the injury, or of liability to it, would seem in direct propo'- 

 tion to the activity of the growth and circulation when those frosts occur — which 

 in the case of any given variety, will prove an infallible rule or test ; though late 

 growing kinds do not always suffer the most, which is, perhaps, owing to the dif- 

 ference in the thickness or toughness of the bark. Obviousl}^, then, whatever 

 tends to promote this late rank growth, as, for instance, late cultivation, or plant- 

 ing on low, rich, moist soils, should be carefully avoided. In the case of root-grafts, 

 of one or two seasons' growth, it is sometimes very severe, and is frequently 

 combined with the four following varieties of injury, especially in severe winters 

 following late warm autumns. To prevent it during the first winter, when trees 

 are most liable to it, it is recommended to nursery-men generally, whenever it 

 prevails, to take up their root-grafts in the fall, and lay them in by the heel over 

 the first winter. But, fii-stly, let them avoid most carefully root-grafting those 

 kinds which are known to be tender on the root, both for their own and their 

 customers' sakes. The present practice of many, who graft all varieties indiscrimi- 

 nately on the root, justly tends to bring the whole class of root-grafted trees into 

 disrepute — lohich result., however^ as a candid, honest member of the profession, 

 or wishing to he, we shall not, with our present views, so much regret, though 

 ive dislike the means xised; entertainiyig, as vje are forced to do, from all our 

 observation and experience, an increasing distrust of them as a class — ivhether 

 their hardihood or j^roductiveness be considered — especially in severe climates, 

 or unfavorable locations. We say this, that, as a nursery-man, we have in obedience 

 to the prevailing mode of propagation, and the popular preference, raised mostly 

 root-grafted trees for sale — and expect to do so while our customers demand 

 them. In the mean traie, candor requires the above expression of opinion, which 

 we beg to couple with the earnest hope, that the whole matter be most pro- 

 foundly investigated. It were foolish to deny that root-grafts will make bearing 

 trees, and, in many instances, perhaps nearly or quite as good ones as any 

 others; but what we claim is this, that most risks in the climate and soil, as to 

 the vigor, hardihood, and productiveness of the trees, are enhanced by root- 

 grafting as compared with stock-grafting; or, in other words, that the hardiest, 



/ 



