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26 THE KANSAS PEACH. 



ance. Mr. Stringfellow claims that the new root system resulting 

 from this treatment would be a strong, vigorous, perpendicular growth 

 of lusty, large-diametered roots, heading straight down for the moist 

 depths of the subsoil, instead of a network of fine, capillary surface 

 rootlets matted horizontally within a few inches of the ground. 

 These roots, penetrating deeply, would safely anchor the tree, and 

 in a year's time produce a growth above ground to which trees 

 started by the old method of planting would not be comparable. 



He claims, also, that wherever his system is adopted it will no 

 longer be found necessary to excavate holes three feet in diameter for 

 orchard planting, but that a mere dibble hole, or a crack made by 

 sinking a spade in the soil, will prove amply sufficient for tree set- 

 ting, and that in this way one of the costliest features of orchard 

 planting would be removed. In addition, by the removal of most of 

 the roots of the tree, the danger of spreading all kinds of fungus and 

 insect pests, such as nematode root-gall, root-knot, scales, etc., would 

 be reduced to a minimum, while the process would also permit of the 

 use for i^lanting of two- and even three-year-old trees, which instead 

 of being thrown away could be thereby utilized as profitably as one- 

 year-old trees, 



Realizing the importance of this theory, the Georgia experiment 

 station instituted careful tests in order to determine how far it could 

 be relied upon in this section and in this climate. The results of 

 these experiments are given in detail in bulletin No. 40. It is only 

 necessary here to state that after three years' tests the station is satis- 

 fied that iDeach trees pruned by the Stringfellow method, even when 

 all the roots were removed, will live and flourish in this section in 

 stiff clay soil and under adverse weather conditions. This state- 

 ment may also be extended to cover apples and pears. That all trees 

 so treated will thrive equally well in all localities we are by no means 

 IDrepared (as yet) to admit. Continued and more extended experi- 

 mentation must be relied upon to decide this matter. Nor can the 

 station recommend unreservedly the employment of the Stringfellow 

 theory and practice by fruit-growers. We think, however, that it is 

 highly probable that the experience of every one who tests the matter 

 for himself in Georgia will be found similar to that of the station, and 

 we certainly earnestly recommend every fruit-grower who can do so to 

 test the matter for himself on a larger or smaller scale, according to 

 his means, as the matter is of such vital importance as to warrant a 

 great deal of pains in forcing it to a conclusion. 



