41 



experimented with pretty extensively. Let us begin at the bottom and 

 say that a tree about a foot in diameter is cut ofF close to the ground 

 with the idea of putting in scions. As a rule they do not do well that 

 way. Your root is not being supplied with the proper amount of 

 nourishment, and because the root is not getting enough it will send 

 out abundant stock sprouts. It is not practical. Scions will grow, 

 but you will have to keep stock sprouts cut down so closely that roots 

 will not get proper nourishment. 



Let us say we have cut off a tree, the top of it, so that we have 

 limbs from 1-2 in. to 4 in. in diameter, and try the bark slot. That 

 is better than cutting the tree down and starting from the base. 



Suppose we trim back a tree only a short way from the top, leaving 

 most of our branches from one-half inch to two inches in diameter and 

 tlien graft these little side sprouts. You quickly get a balance between 

 the top and the root and the top is able to maintain the balance, and 

 the tree will start off in the proper way. 



Mr. Green: Would you leave any branches to maintain this 

 balance .'' 



Dr. Morris: Yes, that may be done, leaving some branches to 

 maintain the sap for the root. That "sap leader" however is a thing 

 I have experimented with to great length, and I have about come to 

 the conclusion that the sap leader idea that is held so firmly by many 

 horticulturists is of no great value. At the present time, except ex- 

 perimentally, I am not leaving sap leaders on the tree. When your 

 scions have grown out very^ well, say several inches long, sometimes 

 then it is very well to leave stock sprouts for foliage. In that way 

 you are more sure to get nourishment for the root, and another ad- 

 vantage is that vour scions will not overgrow to such an extent that 

 there is danger of their blowing out. 



Mr. Walker : Dr. Morris mentioned cutting back the tree previous 

 to grafting. How long previous to grafting? 



Dr. Morris: It is better to cut it back before the sap starts in the 

 spring — in this locality February, or you may do it as soon as the 

 leaves turn yellow in the fall. There is a difference of opinion about 

 the time. Some prefer cutting back as soon as the leaves turn in the 



