BUDDING, GRAFTING, ETC. 153 



terly however, since fruit-tree culture has become more 

 practised, and somewhat better understood, this impres- 

 sion has been gradually losing ground, and in all parts of 

 the country low trees are finding advocates. 



Experience is beginning to teach people that, whilst tall 

 standards in an orchard possess the single advantage of 

 admitting the operations of the plow under the branches, 

 low standai-ds are much more secure against the numerous 

 fatal diseases that attack the trunks, are much more ac- 

 cessible for the performance of all the necessary details 

 of management and for the gathering of the fruit, and 

 are less exposed to damage from higli winds. 



These are all very important advantages, certainly; but 

 the most important one is the safety of the tree against 

 diseases of the trunk. In all parts of this country wo 

 have a powerful sun in summer, and in winter and spring 

 sudden and violent changes from one extreme to another; 

 and experience has shown that the trunk and large 

 branches, being fully exposed to all external influences, 

 are generally the parts first attacked with disease. Cul. 

 tivators are, of course, at liberty to choose for themselves^ 

 but, except to meet the wants of some particular circum. 

 stances, no standard tree should have a branchless stem 

 above Jive feet in height ; four is preferable for all, ex- 

 cept orchards of common apples for cider or stock. Trees 

 with heads only four feet from the ground are always 

 easy of access, and the natural spread of the branches af- 

 fords a great protection to the trunk at all seasons. Nur- 

 serymen should by all means encourage, by precept and 

 example, the cultivation of low-headed trees. 



Starting with the yearling trees for standards, we 

 examine the habit of the variety, whether stout or slen- 

 der ; whether branched, as many varieties are the fii-st 

 season, or without brandies. Before proceeding to the 

 operation of cutting down to increase the size of the 

 trunk, the reader is referred to the principles and prac- 



