No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 751 



It must be remembered also that "wooly aphis" is similar in ap- 

 perance and sometimes mistaken for crown gall in its eii'ect upon 

 the roots. 



In reply to topic ]S^o. 24, "Is the Custom of many Nurserj'men in 

 Cutting Buds and Scions Continually from Nursery Rows to be Com- 

 mended?" Mr. Calvin Cooper said: 



MR. COOPER: In my opinion most emphatically, no; first, because 

 the young scions are too soft and, as a rule, not sufficiently ripened to 

 make a good connection with the stock upon which the graft is 

 placed. I have frequently found them browned in the centre more 

 than one foot from the top, thus leaving a dead spot which lessens 

 the chances for perfect connection. The young wood,, as in nursery 

 rows, is usually a forced growth made too rapidly, late in season, con- 

 sequently cannot ripen before frost kills the foliage, hence is trash 

 and immature; while those cut from bearing trees, or trees that have 

 not been forced to make excessive growths usually pass through 

 the winter season solid and green to the tips. In addition to the 

 above, when cutting from bearing trees, we should be absolutely 

 sure that the desired variety is surely obtained, which cannot always 

 be gotten from nursery rows. While it is true that each variety 

 has its habits of growth, color of bark, etc., of its kind (but mixtures 

 do occur even with the most careful persons), I have never felt sat- 

 isfied in cutting from nursery rows, unless the work was done by 

 mvself, and even then have occasionallv erred. 



In budding, the situation is somewhat different. The buds must 

 necessarily be taken while the sap of tree is flowing freely, and the 

 stock must (for the greatest success) be in vigorous growth. This 

 method makes the most handsome trees, because the stock has had 

 one year to establish itself and after having been budded and cut 

 back send up long straight stems as a foundation for the future 

 tree. It has been my practice for years, and have traveled many 

 miles to procure buds from bearing trees of the very best strain, 

 and the trees in the most healthy condition. Hence, I am fully con- 

 vinced that to practice the cutting of scions and buds is not to be 

 commended, and if i)ersistently done for a number of years the time 

 of fruiting will be delayed, and the trees shorter lived. 



My observation for years has been, tjiat scions and buds taken 

 from young bearing trees and not driven to make the most vigorous 

 growths, will be longer lived and more productive. 



PROF. JOHNSON: This is a very interesting problem and should 

 be freely discussed. I would rather hear from practical nursery- 

 men than discuss it myself. 



