PROMISING NEW CHERRIES. 331 



LATE GRAFTING OF THE CHERRY. 



All writiiigg upon the subject favor very early grafting of the cherry in 

 the open air, and the use of strictly dormant buds in grafting under cover. 

 These instructions are well founded, but they hinge on the principle that the 

 cell structure of the wood of the stock and scion must be in the same condi- 

 tion. If root and scion ue started about equally they will unite quite as well 

 as has been stated by Mr. Henry Avery and others. To illustrate: Last 

 spring, late in April, it became necessary to take up several valuable cherry 

 trees loaded with fruit buds. We cut off all the scions down to the two-year- 

 old wood, and set them on Mazzard seedling roots in the graft room. The 

 grafts were put in the nursery a few days later and over ninety per cent, of 

 them have made strong growth. In this case the buds were started, on one 

 variety, so as to exhibit the points of the embryo leaves, yet the roots taken 

 from the cellar had started fully as much. If the seedling had been kept 

 dormant in the ice house I do not think a single scion would have united 

 with them. This principle applies to all top-working in the open air of 

 apple, pear, cheery, plum, etc. If the work is deferred until the buds on the 

 stocks are well started, the scions should be about equally advanced. In late 

 spring grafting we have failed almost completely with the scions kept dor- 

 mant, and have succeeded perfectly with those cut as needed in the open air. 



n 

 MIXED PLANTING. 



Observations in Europe and this country favor the belief that alternating 

 varieties in the cherry or plum orchard favors regular and continued fruitage. 

 A variety that might prove to be a very poor bearer when depending on its 

 own pollen supply, may be found regularly fruitful when intermingled with 

 other sorts. In our climate, if the weather during the blossoming period is 

 hot and windy, a variety may mature and waste its pollen before the stigmas 

 are ready to receive it. In such the pollen of adjoining sorts may perform 

 the needed work with the aid of the insects or the breeze. 



