140 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



than the first year. As the tree grows older we find stronger side- 

 roots to correspond with the large spreading branches of the top, but 

 th£ tap-root gradually losing itself in the stronger growth of the 

 side-roots. 



This whole subject of longer-lived trees grown on whole roots can 

 only be answered by testing for a long number of years absolutely 

 whole roots, ihe seed planted where it is to remain, and then watched 

 closely. We have no reason whatever to believe that a whole lot of 

 promiscuous seedlings, grown from a lot of seed, washed out of pumice 

 where cider is made, are or can possibly be longer lived or hardier 

 than our best varieties on their own root. 



In fact, I believe, that there are two causes that have tended to 

 shorten the lives of our trees, very much more potent than any that 

 this discussion tends to prove. I think that the blame for our short- 

 lived trees, if any such, lies in two different directions not touched 

 upon: The first is, the great mistake made in the indiscriminate use 

 of all kinds of seed, taken from where ? Why, taken from the poor- 

 est, scrawniest, goarliest, unripened, smallest apples we have in our 

 orchards. This has been going on for years, until all of our orchards, 

 perhaps, are tainted with this weakness. 



We used to grow seedlings from the best of specimens, well 

 ripened and perfect. These seedlings were compelled to go through 

 about four years' tests of winter's cold and summer heat, before they 

 were top-grafted, and only the best survived this ordeal 



This was an altogether different method from that of today, where 

 every root, one year old, is used for a graft, no matter what its parent- 

 age, its size, quality or hardiness. What are our best varieties but 

 selections from our best seedlings 1 



Another, and the second item to enter into this cause of short- 

 lived trees that we hear so much about, is the using of all kinds of 

 scions, never considering the health of the tree or its growth, or any 

 other fact but that you have a good length of scion. In fact, I have 

 seen some go so far as to cut all the scions off a tree every year, and 

 keep the trees, for scions and nothing else. Then, scions have been, 

 gathered from all kinds and sorts and conditions of trees all over our 

 country. 



It is a sure fact that the failure of trees is due to this cause as 

 much, or more, perhaps, than to the manner of grafting, and the kind 

 of root used, however objectionable that may be. 



On these two principles hang all the law and prophets of healthy- 

 tree growth : 



