BULLETIN 231] 



WALNUT CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 



239 



During the first season it is usually well to allow all the grafts which 

 grow to remain, even though they are too numerous for the ultimate 

 tree, as such growth causes a more rapid healing-over of the cut-off 

 stub and this is very desirable. As soon as the sprouts begin to grow 

 from the scions preparations must be made to support them in some 

 way or they will become topheavy, twisted and broken out by the wind. 

 The most convenient method of doing this consists in nailing six-foot 

 lath directly to the stubs into which the scions were put, and tying the 



FIG. 39. Top-grafting; growth well started and tied up to lath. 



sprouts loosely and firmly to these laths. In the case of orchard-planted 

 black walnuts which are grafted directly in the trunk, it is usually neces- 

 sary to employ a large, tall stake set in the ground, especially during 

 the second year, as the tops on such trees become extremely large and 

 top-heavy. This is one of the objections to this method, as it is sometimes 

 almost impossible to keep the tops up in shape during their early years. 

 At the end of the first season's growth top-grafted trees should be 

 gone over, the laths removed if they seem no longer necessary, the extra 



