SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 371 



stitutioiial hardiness of the stock. 2. Want of affinity between 

 stock and scion to produce a good union. 3. The nse of stocks of 

 too large size. 4. Injudicious after-treatment. In consideration of 

 the first mentioned point, the use of strictly hardy or true ironclads for 

 stems must be insisted ui)on as the only source from which an im- 

 provement in hardiness of the top of a tree is possible. 



On the second point we have yet much to learn. The Siberians, 

 as a rule, possess sufficient hardiness for this purpose; but some of 

 these, on account of the closeness of the texture of their wood fibre, 

 do not produce a good union with the common apple, and an undue 

 overgrowth of the scion is the result; so, while some of this class 

 make an excellent stock for particular varieties, their indiscriminate 

 use can not be recommended. The solution of this question should 

 receive the earnest attention of every tree-grower, and systematic 

 trials should be instituted without delay. Of such varieties as I have 

 so far used for stocks, the Whitney and Duchess have been the most 

 satisfactory. I now put such strong, robust growers as Pewaukee, 

 White Pippin, etc., on Duchess, and medium growers on Whitney, 

 with good results; but am experimenting with other varieties of 

 Russians. 



Thirdly : The use of stocks of too large a size is a prolific source 

 of failure; for it is impossible to split a stem or limb one or two 

 inches or more in diameter without making a more or less ugly 

 wound that can not heal up during the first season after grafting; 

 and if this healing process is to reach beyond the first season, the 

 exposed cleft or surface of the stem can not help but die back more 

 or less, even if well covered with wax. The result of such barbarous 

 treatment, although bearing the stamp of antiquity, frequently is 

 the breaking ofE of the scion after a few years' growth. In this cli- 

 mate the stock should be but little, if any, larger than the scion. 

 My favorite method is the so-called splice or whip grafting, both stock 

 and scion being tongued, as in root grafting. For bandages I prefer the 

 use of narrow strips of worn calico or light muslin, previously saturated 

 in hot grafting wax. We wrap these diagonally around the splice, 

 leaving the end or point of it loose, so as to afford a good hold for 

 the removal of the bandage when necessary. By this method every 

 .splice is completely and perfectly healed over by the first of July. 



On the fourth point, namely: After treatment great care has 

 to be exercised in the removal of shoots that grow out below the 

 scion. Here we may easily injure either stock or scion, or both, the 

 object being to keep up as perfect circulation as possible, and yet 

 establish a change of the head to a different kind in as short a time 

 as is consistent with the health of the trees. We have to check the 

 growth of sprouts from the stock by pinching back the tips of such 

 shoots as grow too fast, and gradually remove them, a few at a time, at 

 intervals of about two weeks, until the change is completed. Too sud- 

 den a check of growth of the stock may produce sun-scald in the 



