76 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 190. 



of Denison, Tex., says: "I have often had apple and even peach switches 

 cut from the trees in February and stuck into the ground (very sandy) 

 for label sticks, take root and grow off well." 



In the spring of 1913 a considerable number of root cuttings from 

 young trees were planted in the nursery row. No record was kept of them, 

 but they made a good stand though growth was very slow the first season. 

 It is the practice of at least one nursery firm to dig trees already estab- 

 lished on their own roots once in two years and cut off the roots for prop- 

 agation by root cuttings. The trees are then replanted and a new crop 

 of roots grown. 



In a later experience of the writer, root cuttings from the root system 

 of bearing trees were used in an attempt to propagate the stock variety. 

 This resulted in almost a complete failure. The roots used were from 

 one-quarter to one-half inch in diameter, and when planted in the open, 

 about 3 inches long. Others planted in the greenhouse were about IJ 

 inches long. Whether older roots propagate with greater difficult}^, or 

 whether some unfavorable conditions not readily seen interfered with 

 success, cannot be told with certainty. 



PROPAGATION BY LAYERS. 



The method commonly used in propagating dwarf trees is by some form 

 of layerage. A considerable number of attempts were made to induce 

 root formation by air layerage. , Earthen pots were split, and in early 

 August were placed in appropriate position on growing shoots and filled 

 with sphagnum moss. They were kept moist by frequent watering. 

 None of these air layers showed root formation. It proved difficult with 

 the rather small pots used to maintain uniform moisture conditions, and 

 this may have had something to do with the failure. 



In the spring of 1917 two-year-old trees growing in the nursery row 

 were cut off 3 or 4 inches above the ground and allowed to stool. Later 

 in the summer soil was heaped up around the new shoots to the height of 

 4 or 5 inches. The varieties used were Ben Davis, Bough, Rhode Island 

 Greening and Transcendent. None of these shoots have been separated 

 in an attempt to establish them as independent trees, but investigation 

 in the spring of 1919 showed that most shoots of all these varieties bore 

 small roots, coming out near the junction with the cut-off stump. 



PROPAGATION BY THE NURSE-ROOT METHOD. 



It is well known to most nurserymen that root-grafted trees often send 

 out roots from the scion, and may eventually become established, partially, 

 at least, on their own roots. In an attempt to collect information a 

 questionnaire was sent to the leading nurserymen. About 75 replies 

 were received, and most of these show care and thought in answering the 

 questions. They were suggestive at the outset of this work, and are in- 



