PYRUS BACCATA AS A STOCK FOR THE APPLE. I7I 



much more objection to piece-root grafts in Europe than I care 

 to present until definite experiments can be made. 



The Chairman: We heard a great deal of objection in this 

 country also. 



Prof. Hansen : Yes, there is considerable opposition to it 

 here also. 



Mr. Higbie : What is the prospect of getting such trees in 

 a commercial way? 



Prof. Hansen : Some propagators have already made a be- 

 ginning. I have been tryhig to aid in that direction for several 

 years. There are scattering trees of Yellow Siberian about ; boys 

 will not disturb the fruit much owing to the small size. The 

 trees begin to bear very early. 



Mr. Kellogg (Wis.) : For how much can you furnish such 

 trees at present for the purpose of grafting? 



Prof. Hansen : I have not grown them in a commercial way. 

 I think such apple trees should not cost more than plum trees, 

 although I think apple buds are surer to take than plum buds. 

 In Germany they are not used to our fifteen cent trees. They 

 pay just as much for apple as they do for pear, cherry or plum 

 trees. I think one curse of American apple culture is the de- 

 mand for cheap trees regardless of quality. Down in the south- 

 ern part of the country they are using very small, inferior apple 

 seedlings for piece-root grafting, and such trees on strong soil are 

 often sold from the nursery at two years old. "Cut-backs" are 

 sold as "budded trees." You all know what is done. I need not 

 give family secrets away. (Laughter.) 



Mr. Brackett : I should judge it would add double to the 

 cost of trees in grafting and budding that way. 



Mr. Kellogg: Three times as much. 



Prof. Hansen : How do your apple and plum trees com- 

 pare in price? 



Mr. Kellogg: Apples about one-third the price of plums. 



Prof. Hansen : Your statement is right. An apple tree on 

 Pyrus baccata stock should be worth as much as a plum or 

 cherry, because it takes as much trouble to raise such an apple 

 tree as it does a plum tree. But the greatest care should be 

 taken to buy only from reliable men who really have what they 

 claim to ofifer. 



Mr. Elliot: I want to ask Mr. Underwood about that block 

 of year old grafts that were standing above my eyes when I 

 was down there? They would average from four and one-half 

 to six feet, ground-grafted last spring. How much more do you 

 expect those trees to cost than piece root-grafted trees of the 

 same size? , 



Mr. Roy Underwood : In our experience it depends some- 

 what upon the varieties. Some varieties will mature quicker 

 and make a stronger tree from the time of grafting. We have a 

 two-year old top on three-year old wood. With varieties that 

 can be topped in that way there is no great danger of winter- 

 killing, and they are certainly cheaper than trees we have to 



