STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 315 



ful root-grafted, and others are not. For instance, the Red June, which 

 has a great number of small, fibrous roots, reaching but a short distance, 

 soon absorbs all the specific elements necessary for the formation of per- 

 fect fruit, when the fruit becomes small, scabby, and worthless. But if 

 double worked on a strong free-growing stock, well supplied with strong, 

 far-reaching roots, like Pennock or Pryor's Red, it succeeds much better, 

 but it is longer coming into bearing. The Westfield Seek-no-further and 

 Wagoner, when root-grafted throw up a great number of water sprouts, 

 which affect the growth and the health of the tree. But when w^orked 

 above the collar, this objection is obviated, and the tree is much more 

 healthy and productive. Again, the Yellow Bcllflower, Summer Qiieen, 

 and Red Astrachan, root very readily from the cion, and thus soon become 

 established on their own roots, which are very strong and numerous. 

 In this condition they grow very rapidly, expend all their energies 

 in producing wood, and, therefore, yield little or no fruit. But top-work 

 them on a slow growing stock, and they become productive. On the 

 other hand, the Ben Davis, Little Romanite, and Maiden's Blush, being 

 well supplied with both fibrous and large extending roots, grow very rap- 

 idly, come into bearing early, and annually produce large crops of 

 perfect fruit. Top-grafted, they grow with less vigor and are not so 

 productive. 



But, says the planter, if all varieties do not succeed root-grafted, why 

 is this mode of propagation so universally practiced by our nurserymen .'* 

 Why do they not rather propagate each variety in that way that will make 

 the most successful tree? We must bear in mind that we live in an age of 

 tree-planting; that the demand is for cheap trees, and that it often exceeds 

 the supply. And when we remember that root-grafted trees can be put 

 into market in half the time and for half the price of those stock-grafted, 

 we shall be able to understand why all are propagated alike. There are 

 doubtless some varieties, which, if double worked on such a stock as the 

 Pryor's Red or Ben Davis, would be intrinsically worth five times as 

 much as when they are propagated in the usual way. And in my opin- 

 ion, the time is not far distant when our western planters will understand 

 this matter, and be willing to pay for trees in proportion to their value. 

 And, as the demand increases, our enterprising nurseiymen will soon be 

 able to furnish the requisite supply. 



That I may not be misunderstood on this point, I will say that in my 

 opinion, root-grafted trees are just as reliable as they would be stock- 

 grafted on promiscuous seedlings. And that to secure the best 

 results, we must work those sorts that do not succeed root-grafted, on 

 certain cultivated varieties that we know will produce the desired 

 results. 



Fruit trees are generally dwarfed by working them on an uncon- 

 genial stock, or, a stock that does not form a perfect union with the 

 cion. The sap is thus checked in its downward ilow, and the result is 

 the formation of fruit buds and the early fruiting of the tree. Dwarf 

 apples, pears, and cherries, are very appropriate for small gardens and 

 ornamental grounds; but are totally unfit for orchard planting, as many 



