The Canadian Horticulturist. 



197 



But with mixed lots, less than carloads, it is better to take $1, or even 7 sets, 

 per barrel for the fruit at home, than risk a possible loss by shipping so far. 



But at even $1 a barrel, I ask what farm crop pays better. Take for example 

 an acre planted entirely with Baldwins and Greenings, and what will it pay you 

 at those prices? Suppose you only get 100 barrels a year on an average from 

 it, what other crop would give you $75 or $100 per acre with less labor. 



Of course it is expensive work planting and raising an apple orchard, a 

 heavy investment ; but I am not urging the planting of new orchards so much as 

 the better care of those we have. 



7. Poop Varieties. 



Perhaps you have not the most profitable kinds ; then top graft and you 

 will soon have those varieties which are proved most desirable. The work of 

 grafting is not difficult or mysterious but quite practicable by any one who can 

 handle his knife skillfully ; for old trees a method known as crown grafting is very 

 well adapted, as figured in a recent number of the Rural New Yorker and by 

 favor of the editor we are enabled to give our readers the following description 

 of it with an excellent illustration. 



" The following is an easy and effec- 

 tive method of grafting old trees. By it 

 the percentage of failure is reduced to a 

 minimum, and branches at least six 

 inches in diameter, and, in the case of 

 pear trees 75 years old, may be worked 

 with assured success. Last year we 

 mentioned the case of such a pear tree 

 having been grafted two years before 

 with the Kieffer, that gave a full crop 

 last fall. Saw off the branch at right 

 angles to the stem to be grafted, as at 

 Fig. a. Then cut a clean slit in the 

 bark through to the wood, the same as 

 in budding. Separate the bark from the 

 wood and insert the cion b, one for each 

 slit. The number of slits for each stock 

 will be determined by its size. We will 

 suppose the stock illustrated to be six 

 inches in diameter, and that six cions 

 are to be inserted. The stock after 

 receiving the six cions is shown at c. 

 Grafting wax is not needed. A thick 

 paper may be woundabout the top of the 

 stock extending about one inch above it and securely tied with a strong twine as 



Fio. 961.— I 



'^.^ 



..AKTING 



