865 



TOP WORKING OLD AND YOUNG TREES. 



Until recent years it was thought to be practically impos- 

 sible to remodel an old pecan tree and make it bear desired- 

 varieties. It was even questioned whether a large pecan 

 tree could be topped and live. There is no question concern- 

 ing- the matter today, for even the oldest and largest trees- 

 which bear undesirable nuts, are gradually being- worked 

 over. This may be done in a variety of ways, the most com- 

 mon being- the removal of the large limbs, allowing- the 

 sprouts to grow and budding these sprouts. Another methocL 

 is to cut off a number of smaller limbs, and work these either 

 by budding- or graft. When grafted the cleft method is used. 

 This is done very early in the season, and a part of the tree 

 only is treated in one season. Sometimes one-third is worked 

 each year until the tree is completely top worked. Figure XJ 

 shows a tree during this process, the large lim'os remiiuing 

 will be removed in another season. In this manner very large 

 and unprofitable trees are made to bear nuts of high market 

 value. Figure X[ shows an old tree injured by. a severe 



