CHAPTER IX 

 TOP-WORKING FRUIT TREES 



IT is becoming more and more apparent of late years that 

 certain localities and soils are peculiarly adapted to grow- 

 ing particular kinds and even varieties of fruit. Com- 

 mercial fruit-growing localities are making their reputation 

 by being able to grow a few varieties well. So each new 

 fruit country must go through an experimental stage, 

 when a host of varieties is being tested to determine those 

 best adapted to its peculiar conditions. Then in the de- 

 velopment of each new fruit country there comes a time 

 when the grower will be obliged to solve the problem as to 

 what to do with the undesirable varieties. Shall he de- 

 stroy the trees or graft them over to better varieties ? 



Modes of grafting over old trees have long been prac- 

 ticed, and experience has proved that, if properly done, 

 top-working brings quicker returns than the replanting of 

 young trees. It is not uncommon to see a fairly good crop 

 on the three-year-old top of a top-worked tree. Trees 

 properly worked over give tops as desirable and some- 

 times more desirable than trees of the same variety grown 

 from first-class nursery stock. 



Top-working as a means of establishing a weak-growing 

 variety on a stronger root system than its own is now 

 coming into favor. The Rome (Beauty), when on its own 

 roots, is an indifferent grower on the best soil; but when 



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