Reisons for and against Root-Grafting. 543 



The common process is, to take up the young seedhngs to 

 be used as stocks, in the fall, and place them where they can 

 be got at conveniently, during the last of winter, or early 

 spring. When these are wanted for use, they are taken up, 

 and the roots washed, and such as are of sufficient size, cut 

 into lengths of four or five inches, according to the views of 

 the operator. The scions are then cut into similar lengths, 

 when they are put together by that method, known as " whip 

 and tongue grafting," after which, some wind the place of junc- 

 tion with tow, or other substance : others set them in the earth 

 without, where they remain until the season is so far advanced, 

 as to allow their being planted into nursery rows. 



The disadvantages of this mode of propagation, fall mostly 

 upon the orchardist, as such trees do not flourish when they 

 become old, as well as those cultivated upon their natural 

 roots, such as are formed when seedlings are taken from their 

 seed beds, their tap roots shortened and planted in nursery 

 rows, until they become well established. After which, they 

 may be budded, or grafted near the surface of the ground, or 

 they may be allowed to gain sufficient height to be grafted a 

 few inches below where the top is to be formed. I am in favor 

 of this latter method, for the following reasons: — 



First, whatever obstructs the descending sap of a fruit tree, 

 so lo7ig as the internal part favors the ascension, increases the 

 size, and, generally, the qnality of the fruit, and hastens its 

 maturity. It is in conformity to this principle, that ringing 

 the bark, and twisting wires tight round branches, so as to 

 impede the descending sap, is resorted to, by those who wish 

 to produce large specimens, of early maturity. The same 

 object is obtained by inserting scions in stocks of the same 

 genera, the growth of which is so disimilar, as to prevent 

 that perfect union, which would take place, were they in- 

 serted in a stock of its own species. Examples : — the pear upon 

 the quince, thorn, and apple, often produces fruit of double 

 the size produced upon their own stocks, however thrifty. 

 This increase of size is often varied, in proportion as the ob- 

 struction is a greater or less distance from the point. 



These general principles are applicable to apples cultivated 

 upon their own stocks, and it will be found, where there is 

 the greatest dissimilarity of growth, between the stock and 



