PROPAGATION. 89 



and though some of our best propagators restrict them- 

 selves to two cuts from each, others, who have experi- 

 mented carefully, insist that the third section will average 

 as well as the others. A lot of trees, worked especially 

 for a test in this matter, gave the following results. 



In 1859 an average lot of roots and scions, about fifty 

 in each lot, were treated as follows, White Pippin and 

 Willow-leaf being used as scions : 



White Pippin No. 1, being on the first cut of the root, 

 had made a fair growth. 



No. 2, being on the second cut, were quite as good or 

 better. 



No. 3, being on the third cut, were not quite so good as 

 the others, the ground being partially shaded by a large tree. 



Another, of Willow-leaf No. 1, on the 3d cut of root, 

 very good growth. 



No. 2, on very slender roots, nearly as good. 



No. 3, only 1 inch of root to 1 inch of scion ; not so 

 good growth nor so good a strike, but shaded by a tree. 

 * No. 4, on 2d cut of root, not so good as the third. 



No. 5, on average lot, not waxed, as good as any. 



No. 6, roots worked upside-down, mostly failed. 



D. O. Reeder exhibited some 2-year old apple trees, 

 worked on the root inverted, they were of very good 

 growth. 



For root grafting, thrifty stocks are wanted of one or 

 two years' growth, the smoother and straighter the roots, 

 the better. These should be taken up from the seed-bed 

 in the fall, selected, tied in bundles, and stored in the cel- 

 lar or cave, or buried in the soil where they shall be acces- 

 sible at any time, and where they will be kept fresh and 



