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THE PHILOSOPHY OF TOP-WORKING. , 163 
large trees, and IJ am sure itcan be madea success if properly done. 
Mr. Burnap: Then you would set no limit as to the size of the 
trees, provided they were healthy? 
Pres. Underwood: I have grafted a good many trees, very large 
trees—this was in Illinois,and they were probably three feet in 
diameter. Provided wehavea perfectly healthy tree to begin with, 
we can have just as good success with a large tree as witha small 
one. In regard to the influence of the stock on the graft, my im- 
pression is that it does influence it, we know it must influence it, 
because it is in that way we get our best fruit. I think the stock does 
affect the graft, and it almost seems as though there was a degree 
of hardiness imparted, and it is my impression that that is true. 
Some of my friends, Mr. Elliot and Mr. Lord, were with me this 
summer where we saw the Abundance plum and other named vari- 
eties of plums that have been growing and fruiting for twelve or 
thirteen years, and they seemed to be hardy. They were top-worked 
on the wild plum, and it would almost seem to me that there was a 
degree of hardiness imparted to that plum. Itis simply my belief, 
something I can not prove; but there are other illustrations I 
could give from my own experience in regard to apples. I think 
there is a degree of hardiness,a degree of earliness in ripening 
that is imparted to the fruit or graft by grafting it on an early ana 
healthy variety. 
Mr. Burnap: I thought it was a recognized fact that you could 
assist the hardiness of the graft by grafting on a hardy stock. 
Mr. Penning: Do you thinkit is a good plan to wrap the grafts 
after they are waxed? I generally take a paper and wrap it around 
the wax, pressing it tightly together so as to shut off from the graft 
all the sun and air and everything. 
Pres. Underwood: That would do no harm, although it is not 
necessary. If you are an expert waxer and the wax is of the proper 
consistency, waxing isall that is necessary. If youmake it and put 
it on as I described and nothing interferes with it, it will stay there. 
The paper might prevent something from taking that wax off. The 
only thing the paper or the wax does is to make the graft air tight. 
The wax if properly made and put on will close the surface and ex- 
clude the air, and that will answer perfectly. My first lessons were 
taken in Illinois and Michigan, where we dida great deal of top-work- 
ing. I think I have collected as high as $3,000 or $4,000 for top-work- 
ing, and while people going around the country doing that kind of 
work are being considered by some as doing an illegitimate busi- 
ness, I have a great deal of respect for it where it is properly done. 
It is not necessary to pay ten cents a graft, but there is a right 
amount to pay forit,and if you get a grafter whose work is well 
done it is worth more to you than if it is poorly done when you do 
it yourself. 
Mr. Crane: You say three or four cents is not too much to pay for 
each graft; do you mean where they live? 
Pres. Underwood: Yes, sir; that is where they live. They usually 
put in two grafts and charge them up to you. That is the price paid 
if you employ a grafter; but you can do it yourself. 
