Tin; XIRSERY INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK 659 



grafts must be cut in fall or early winter and put away for early 

 spring use, and, if some are mislaid in the shop, they may be 

 mixed with others. This is perhaps merely a matter of shop 

 regulation, but a mixed block is a serious problem. 



I sually a better stand can be secured from a graft than from 

 a bud, and if one does not have the trouble from galls it is the 

 most profitable way to propagate apples. 



DIGGING 



The nursery stock is usually dug by means of a U-shaped 

 blade, which is run down the rows, severing the roots. It may be 

 hauled by horses or by means of a cable attached to a drum 

 ^driven by an engine at the end of the row. The cable saves in- 

 jury from the horses to the limbs. The most common method of 

 hauling is by the use of twenty horses. 



NURSERY TROUBLES 



One of the most common troubles of the foliage is aphis. If 

 neglected, the little green aphis causes the leaves to curl and 

 thoroughly poisons the plant system, completely stunting it if not 

 checked. These aphides, not being equipped with a complete 

 digestive system, inject a ferment into the plant which predigests 

 the sap ; they then suck this predigested sap into their system. It 

 is this ferment which causes the stunting of the tree and the 

 serious injury. 



So far, nurserymen have combated these in a perfunctory sort 

 of way, either by hand washing or by attempts at spraying. A 

 satisfactory nursery sprayer is, I believe, yet to be built. There 

 are several which are more or less satisfactory. Nicotine solu- 

 tions and fish-oil soap are the means employed to combat the 

 aphis. 



The question of crown gall and hairy root of the apple have 

 already been referred to as most serious menaces. Elaborate 

 investigations have been made in regard to these troubles, of 

 which there are several types. Propagation by means of budding 

 tends to reduce both, as does also careful cultivation and the 

 avoiding of wet soils, and prevents injury to the young trees. It is 

 important that buds be taken from trees which are not affected. An 



