362 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



uuiformity in bearing. I have grafted trees with scions taken from both 

 good bearers and poor bearers of tlie variety, and find that each maintains 

 the character of the parent tree. I have grafted with what is termed water 

 sprouts and find that it will take a much longer time to come into bearing 

 than when scions were taken from bearing trees. 



Mr. Strait: I understaud that nurserymen use scions taken from young 

 trees in the nursery row. Perhaps the nonbeariug condition of apple 

 orchards might be partly from such practice. 



Arthur Stark : I have trees topgrafted from scions taken from other trees. 

 They commenced bearing the third year and have been bearing since. The 

 trees were 25 years old when grafted. If one has trees of inferior kinds, and 

 they are in sound condition, they can be topgrafted to some good variety. If 

 the work is well done and the trees are properly cared for, and all the old 

 tops trimmed off in proper time, you can change the tops to good varie- 

 ties that will come into bearing soon. 



A. D, Botsford. A principal advanced and susceptible of proof should be 

 pushed to a termination which would place it beyonl question, especially if it 

 involves truths of importance that the public should understand. This idea 

 advanced here today in relation to the use of scions from bearing or partial 

 bearing trees, as well as the use of scions cut from the nursery row either for 

 topgrafting or rootgrafting — if based upon facts should be thoroughly tested 

 and settled. Upon this may depend much of success of fruit growers of Mich- 

 igan. 



Mr. Stuck: I have used water sprouts or suckers in top grafting apple 

 trees for an experiment. They were eight years coming to bearing. 



I expect to plant some apple trees in the spring. How can I secure trees 

 true to name that will be abundant bearers. Shall I buy nursery trees of the 

 varieties I want or should I get hardy stock and have them topgrafted to the 

 varieties I desire to have in my orchard. 



J. F. Brest: I should select good, strong growing trees from the nursery 

 row. Should not ask the nurseryman what kind they were, as I have no 

 confidence in what they might tell me. Should select scions from bearing 

 trees and topgraft them. 



A. D. Botsford : There are some honest nurserymen, as honest as the 

 average of men in other business matters. 



Samuel Webster: When I buy trees of nurserymen near home have been 

 fortunate in securing good trees and usually true to name. Sometimes mis- 

 takes will occur, but I don't think they are intentional on the part of our 

 home nurserymen at least. I had rather trust them than traveling agents 

 who are strangers to me. 



Arthur Stark: I don't think all the mistakes made in varieties can be 

 charged to nurserymen. In large nursery grounds there are a large number 

 of men employed to perform the work. These men were liable to make 

 mistakes. The proprietor could not oversee everything. I think we are more 

 certain of obtaining varieties true to name when we patronize small home 

 nurseries. 



Mr. Phelps: Will Mr. LaFleur name some of the best varieties of winter 

 apple for market? 



G, H. LaFleur: I suppose ycu mean by best varieties the kinds that pay 

 best to grow for market. I will confine my list, to well known and thoroughly 

 tested varieties, which have come under my observation for this part of 



