The Propagation of Orchard Trees 175 



Root-grafts are made by inserting a cion on a root or 

 piece of a root, usually of a seedling tree. When the 

 entire root of the seedling is used, a whole root-graft is 

 the result. More commonly, however, sections of roots, 

 about three inches long, are used. There has been much 

 controversy over the superiority of the whole-root over 

 the piece-root, or vice versa, but the consensus of opinion 

 now seems to be that there is very little difference between 

 the two when both are well grown and equally vigorous. 

 However, a small weak piece-root will usually result in an 

 inferior tree. 



Propagation by budding has rapidly grown in favor, 

 until at the present time a large percentage of the nursery 

 stock is propagated in this way. This is particularly 

 true in the large nursery centers of the East. 



The seedlings to be budded are usually transplanted to 

 nursery rows in the spring after they have made one 

 season's growth (from the seed). The succeeding August 

 the majority of them should be large enough to bud. 

 The stocks are prepared for the budder by removing the 

 leaves and branches from around their bases. The bud- 

 ders follow and insert the buds in the stocks as close to 

 the ground as will admit of ease in working, and preferably 

 on the north side of the tree. Boys are usually employed 

 to tie the buds. A skilled workman will set 3000 or more 

 buds in a day, but 2000 is considered to be a good day's 

 work. 



In about two weeks after the buds are set, the parts 

 should be united. The bandages must now be cut, for 

 if left too long, constriction of the stems and interference 

 with nutrition will result. 



