FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 59 



produce the smaller earlier bearing variety, while the latter are noted 

 for the growing of a much larger and heavier bearing tree. 



A great deal depends upon the pruning of dwarf apple trees, it is 

 essential that they be thoroughly pruned starting at the time they are 

 set, the objects being to stimulate the growth of more fruit-bearing 

 wood, to produce an even distribution of fruit spurs over the entire 

 fruiting surface of the tree, and lastly that the dwarf habit may be 

 maintained. If a normal growth has taken place during the year this 

 growth should be cut back from one-half to two-thirds. Then on a 

 thorough and consistent priming depends the ultimate success of grow- 

 ing dwarfs. 



In a commercial consideration of the growing of dwarfs as compared 

 with standards Ave have these questions to answer: First, Do they 

 produce enough fruit to insure a satisfactory profit? Secondly, Can 

 they be used economically as fillers between the larger trees? And 

 finally, do they require more or less care than the average standard 

 tree? 



These questions are answered in the main by reference to the work 

 accomplished at the Cornell Experiment Station, and by such eminent 

 Horticulturists as Werder and Thomas when they say, that dwarf trees 

 will not bear fruit regularly unless especial care is bestowed upon them, 

 as they are very unstable in habits of growth and fruitfulness. This 

 uncertainty of bearing and the requirement of especial care practically 

 bars them from being grown in competition with the standard variety 

 in a commercial orchard. 



TOP WORKING ORCHARD TREES. 



T. F. BAKER, GRAND HAVEN. 



The top working of orchard trees is becoming more widely practiced 

 by up-to-date scientific orchardists every year. Many orchards, espec- 

 ially those planted before the era of scientific horticulture in Michigan, 

 are found unsuitable to the climate and other environmental condi- 

 tions about them. To take out these old orchards and rejuvenate them 

 with young suitable trees would require much patience and capital; 

 to leave the trees unchanged means the continuance of an unproductive 

 investment. Here the system of top working lends the orchardist a 

 glad hand. By inserting buds or scions iii the tops of his old trees. 

 he can within a few years, completely change the fruit and character of 

 his orchard. Again fop working is practiced in trees of self sterile 

 varieties to insure cross pollination. It is also used in reforming tops 

 of trees like the peach, and is especially useful in testing out new 

 varieties by bringing them into early bearing by working them into 

 bearing trees. Furthermore, by selecting suitable stocks or scions, the 

 danger from sun-scald may be lessened, vigor may be modified, fruit- 

 fulness may be hastened, insect injuries decreased, and last, but not 

 least, desirable characteristics may be perpetuated. 



Scions inserted in old trees bear at an early age, but it is uncertain 

 whether the fruiting of scions grafted on a young tree is accelerated. 



