NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. 73. 



shown to be true it demonstrates that the chang-es observed 

 can take place. These results will be considered under 

 several heads. 



First, as to change of habit of the tree by stocks. All 

 will at once call to mind the dwarfing often produced by 

 the use of certain stocks. This usually has been attributed 

 to the lack of nourishment furnished. However, it fre- 

 quently happens that the grafted tree is planted so deeply 

 that it roots above the point of union, yet those trees 

 never grow as freely as when on free stocks. A. S. Fuller 

 states that this dwarfing often does not show at first, but 

 develops with the age of the tree. The reverse action is 

 often seen. That is, more than an average growth is 

 made, as when the plum is budded upon the peach, an 

 effect that continued for at least five years in one lot of 

 trees that the writer observed, or until nearly all produced 

 fruit. These were European plums. 



In root-grafted trees, no effect has been observed. On 

 the contrary, if dissimilar varieties are put up parts of the 

 same root each will grow on in its own form and entirely 

 unlike the other. Even different parts of the same root 

 have no visible effect upon the growth. No doubt the very 

 small amount of stock used will accouAt for this. The 

 character of the stock is not strong enough to assert itself. 

 When older or larger stocks are used then the effect is 

 more or less evident. As to the effect of different ages and 

 varieties on the same kind, I shall refer fo a paper I heard 

 read in 1890 by Mr. N. A. Beecher of Flushing, Michigan. 

 He both root and top grafted the Red Canada on various 

 stocks, seeking especially for strong growth. The average 

 given is of six trees: 



Trunk Diameter. 



Root-grafted, 26 years' growth 11 inches. 



Four-year Seedlings, top-grafted, 22 years' growth 10 1-3 inches. 



Three-year Northern Spy, top-grafted, 25 years' growth. . .13 inches. 

 Two-year Lyscom, top-grafted, 22 years' growth 15 1-2 inches. 



The latter variety is a very hardy, strong grower, or the 

 growth varied from 2-5 to 2-3 of an inch each year for the 

 full time. But another point was noted. The variation 

 in the growth of the root-grafted and top-grafted seedlings 



