(58 



FRUIT CULTURE. 



FIG. 12. 



FIG. 13. 



In the case of any tree 

 which is known to be of a 

 worthless or inferior variety, 

 if of apples or pears, it de- 

 serves consideration whether 

 such trees are sufficiently 

 young and vigorous to be 

 worth re-grafting. If they 

 are fairly healthy, and not 

 too old, considerable time 

 may be gained by re-grafting. 

 To prepare for this operation, 

 select three to six branches 

 of moderate size, shortening 

 them, back to within two or 

 three feet of the main stem, 

 cutting clean away any large or crooked branches. The 

 trees may be thus prepared at any time during winter. 

 The grafting must, of course, be done in the spring, when 

 each of the branches left may be grafted with some ap- 

 proved variety. 



Crown or rind grafting is the mode usually adopted. 

 The scions should be cut in February, and firmly bedded 

 in the soil. These scions, or future grafts, should be 

 selected from strong, well-ripened wood of the last sea- 

 son's growth ; and it is very important that they should 

 he taken from trees that are healthy, and free from canker 

 *nd other diseases. Some of the diseases, canker particu- 

 "arly, are well known to be hereditary, and if existing in 

 rhe tree from which the scion was taken, would probably 

 re-appear in the grafted tree after two or three seasons' 

 growth. 



The scions having been previously cut and prepared as 



