HORTICULTURE 169 



the first season. Except in June-budded trees, the water sprouts 

 should be removed three or four times to prevent dwarfing or smoth- 

 ering the scions. During the latter part of July or early in August 

 the rank-growing branches may be headed in to stock them up, and 

 the side branches may need pruning to strengthen them and to give 

 the top a desirable form. After the first year, the tops are treated 

 like any other tree of the same age. 



Top-Working Bearing Apple Trees. There are many apple or- 

 chards not over 25 to 30 years of age in good, healthy condition that 

 might be top-worked with better varieties. It is not profitable to 

 top work larger trees, as the large branches that need removing 

 do not heal over readily, and the tree usually dies from decay. It 

 is also too expensive to set the scions in the large trees. An apple tree 

 may be remodeled in three or four years by inserting scions in part 

 of the branches each successive season. Branches larger than 2 1 /2 

 inches in diameter should not be grafted, as they do not heal over, 

 and are also more susceptible to sun scald. The operator should 

 endeavor to maintain the original form of the tree. The branches 

 at the top are cut off rather close to the body, and at a greater dis- 

 tance as the base is approached. The large branches need shading 

 while the remodeling is in process. This may be provided by dis- 

 tributing the scions evenly throughout the tree each year and by 

 leaving some of the older branches. Only a few branches should be 

 grafted in one place in a single year, as the exposed stubs, especially 

 in the Southern States, are usually scalded. It is always advisable 

 to graft a larger number of branches than necessary for the final 

 top. The scions shade the branches and may be removed as they 

 overcrowd. 



A top-worked tree requires close attention if the operation, which 

 is harsh at the best, is to be successful. All large wounds should be 

 painted with red lead to prevent the entrance of fungi and bacteria. 

 The scions should be watched to prevent their dwarfing and smother- 

 ing by overhanging branches. Water sprouts, which appear in 

 abundance, need removing in June. Every endeavor should be used 

 to re-cover the tree as quickly as possible, and to protect it from injury 

 while the operation is in progress. 



The grafting is done in the spring with dormant scions, two 

 of which are inserted in a horizontal position in each stub. The 

 stub and the end of each scion are then carefully waxed. 



Top Working Bearing Peach Trees. There has been a large 

 development in the peach growing business in the last decade. With 

 the rapid growth of the industry many varieties have been planted 

 in large quantities that are undesirable for commercial purposes 

 or ill-adapted to the regions in which they are located. There are 

 also many orchards more than 10 years old, with trees still vigorous, 

 but of varieties that are no longer equal to the newer commercial 

 sorts. To sacrifice the orchards by cutting them out means a loss 

 of labor and capital already invested, but to leave the trees un- 

 changed continues an unproductive investment. It is possible to 

 top-bud these orchards with better varieties, and it may be desirable 



