TOP -WORKED TREES 263 



back, and the more serious the cutting of the 

 roots, the more extensive should be the cutting- 

 in of the top. Fig. 188 shows a six -year -old 

 cherry tree which has been cut back after trans- 

 planting. In all such cases, it is important 

 that old and dry stubs are not left on the trees. 

 The stubs should be cut back from time to time 

 as new branches start, always giving preference 

 to the strong growth, and cutting out the feeble 

 wood. 



MANAGEMENT OF TOP-WORKED TREES 



When trees are top -budded or top -grafted, it is 

 usually the purpose to change their entire top to 

 the new variety. The methods of performing 

 the work, and the general position of the buds or 

 grafts, are somewhat fully discussed in the last 

 edition of "The Nursery -Book." In old trees it 

 is generally desirable to graft all the leading 

 limbs, thereby endeavoring to maintain the origi- 

 nal shape as nearly as possible. In young trees, 

 only two or three of the limbs can be grafted or 

 budded, and sometimes the whole top is cut off 

 and the main stock or trunk is grafted. The 

 grafting of the main trunk has some disadvan- 

 tages, because a bad fork is apt to occur at the 

 graft, and it is usually better, therefore, to set 

 the cions or buds in the branches. Fig. 189 shows 

 the treatment of a small apple tree which is top- 

 budded. Three buds are inserted, one in the 



