Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 221 



One reason is, the quince is a fibrous rooted plant; the pear is not. 

 The pear succeeds well, and in many instances bears fine crops, 

 grafted in the central branches of apple trees. If a due modicum 

 of apple leaves and wood is left to support the root, the pear re- 

 mains longer than it otherwise would. If not, it soon loses vital- 

 ity. Why again? The root of the apple is not congenial to the 

 pear, as regards longevity. Grafted upon sections of apple root, 

 and allowed to make roots of its own, above the junction, it is suc- 

 cessful, at least so I am informed by Mr. U. B. Spaulding, of Spring- 

 field, Illinois, one of the most careful cultivators and successful 

 nurserymen in the state. 



In root grafting the apple, it is altogether better that the tree ulti- 

 mately make roots from its own wood. Thus, each variety of top 

 makes its own particular elaboration of root. All nurserymen know 

 that peculiar topped trees have peculiar roots, and it is well known 

 that the roots of a tree correspond to the top more or less intimately; 

 at least, such is my observation. As a rule, strong and robust tops 

 have strong and robust roots. Trees that rise straight and high 

 have deep roots, while spreading trees are inclined to have super- 

 ficial roots. Thus, the pear is a deeper rooted tree than the apple, 

 and especially delights in a soil, pretty compact, it is true, but of 

 such a nature that the roots may pierce deep without interference 

 by water. The pear, however, is so peculiar as to soil and location, 

 that it is hardly worth while to spend time in discussing its proper 

 training. It may, however, be stated in general terms, that all 

 training and pruning must be so performed as to preserve the 

 natural habit and characteristics of the tree. The great fault with 

 the average cultivator is, they prune too much. The system of 

 open heads, and severe pruning, was transplanted from the peculiar 

 climate of old England to New England. Hence it came to us. 

 It is only within the last twenty years, that we of the west have 

 found out we were killing our trees by too much pruning. Later, the 

 east has accepted our experience. We have bought our experience 

 dearly. We first learned that it would not do to prune in the west 

 so severely as east, and then they learned that they were better off 

 by accepting the close heads of the west, than with their open um- 

 brella shaped tops. Apple trees should be allowed to grow as close 

 as possible, so the limbs do not abrade each other, and at the same 

 time so that each leaf may get a due modicum of light, according 



