STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 4I 



would select those varieties that are best adapted to the mar- 

 kets, most accessible to the grower, and apples that are good 

 handlers. 



With the exception of such varieties as the Tompkins Coun- 

 ty King and Twenty Ounce for example, which are not hardy 

 on their own roots, and if grown at all must be grown on some 

 strong stock like the Spy or the Tolman, I would set the varieties 

 that are wanted rather than try the plan of setting strong grow- 

 ers and top working. In the latter case, the trees are apt to be 

 misshapen and come into bearing less early than where they are 

 rooted, budded or grafted. The only advantage is, that one 

 is able to take his buds or scions from bearing fruits of known 

 merits. 



LOW HEADED TREES. 



When I say a low headed tree, I do not mean a dwarf, but 

 any of the standard varieties with the first branches from two 

 to three feet from the ground. These are very much longer 

 lived, more vigorous, and altogether more satisfactory than 

 any dwarf possibly can be. 



The claim is made that one can set very many more dwarf 

 trees on an acre, which, of course, is true, but he will have manv 

 more trees to care for, and really less bearing surface than on 

 half the number of standards. A further objection, fatal in it- 

 self, is that they have a shallow root system, and as the top 

 grows, are inclined to blow over on the strain, breaking the feed- 

 ing roots, which materially injures or destroys them. If they are 

 set so deep as to overcome this, in a very few years they cease 

 to be dwarfs, and become standards by rooting from the stock 

 grafted in. 



The advantages of the low headed tree are these : First, 

 the branches protect the trunk. 



Next, such a tree suffers very much less from wind, and 

 fruit which falls can be gathered, and is as valuable as any 

 on the tree. The apples can be picked at very much less ex- 

 pense, and with varieties like the ^Mcintosh, often as they 

 ripen can be put directly into a box and so easily graded. These 

 trees, experience shows, come into bearing at an early age, and 

 over and above all can be thoroughly and economically sprayed. 



All these reasons doubtless appeal to you as good, but I 



