STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 395 



differino; methods and in various localities. I have learned to reject 

 an unthrifty tree from whatever cause, as worthless. 



I early adhered to the theories, that root grafting is an unnatural 

 process, producing inferior trees ; that grafting in the limbs produces 

 a more hardy tree than can be obtained by grafting in the trunk or 

 crown of a root gi'own from the seed ; and further, that an ungrafted 

 tree is of stronger growth, more productive, and longer lived, than 

 one grown by any method of grafting whatever. Regarding them 

 as theories still, I would speak of them cautiously'. In the light of 

 mv experience, I will onl\- say that I would reject root grafted trees 

 altogether. Whether an ungrafted tree be more hardv and |)roduc- 

 tive tlian others, or not, there certainly can be no profit in growing- 

 poor fruit ; hence I would use the best grafted trees obtainable, and 

 I will here express the opinion, possibly a theory not well founded, 

 that it is of very little consequence at what period of growth the 

 operation of grafting is pei-formed, provided it be done before the 

 maturity of a tree grown from the seed. 



Regretting the necessity of leaving so man}' points involved in 

 this subject, unnoticed, I will here close b}' deducing the following 

 conclusions : 



That an old orchard cannot be permanently rejuvenated. 



That in consequence of overbearing and neglect, trees may become 

 prematurely old, and the injury thus sustained can never be fully 

 repaired, or the penal t}' for thus violating natural law be evaded. 



That young orchards can now be grown with more profit, and 

 with as much certainty, as by the fathers. 



That in planting orchards, good, thrift}- and hardy trees only 

 should be used, to be followed by generous and careful treatment, or 

 failure will result. 



That the quality and fitness of a tree for transplanting, depends 

 not so much on the longitude in which it is grown, as upon the 

 method of its production. 



Discussion. 



After reading his paper, questions were put to Mr. Shaw b}"- sev- 

 eral members, which he answered, as follows : 



QuES. Do you mean to say a'ou would object to grafting a natural 



tree that was of considerable size, pi-ovided the tree was perfectly 



thrifty? 



26 



