STARTING THE ORCHARD 39 



root to a len,yth of 4 or 5 inches, Icavinj^ thus of the 

 whole root system only a single short and naked stub. 

 The top is treated in a similar manner, all branches 

 being removed and the main stem being cut back to a 

 height of 18 inches or less. The trees are thus re- 

 duced to something a little more than cuttings. 



This theory is so heretical that it has called out a 

 storm of discussion. Now after the storm has sub- 

 sided we have found, as is usual in such matters, that 

 there is something worth saying on both sides of the 

 question. ]\Iany experiments have been made, and it 

 must be said that the results give very little comfort 

 to the extremists on either side of the debate. Mr. 

 Stringfellow himself has recently seemed inclined to 

 retreat from his most advanced position, and the hor- 

 ticultural world in general has been greatly surprised 

 to find how much truth there was in his contentions. 

 From the wealth of observation and experience re- 

 cently brought into circulation we may fairly draw the 

 following conclusions relative to this whole matter: 



1. A large or widely ramified root system is not 

 important except as an indication of the health and 

 vigor of the tree. 



2. A good nursery tree with a heavy root system 

 may be very severely cut back without greatly injur- 

 ing the vitality of the tree or interfering with its first 

 year's growth. 



3. The fibrous roots which may be present on the 

 nursery tree are altogether useless. New fibrous roots 

 have to be formed in any case before the tree can 

 feed itself. 



4. Extreme stub root pruning is not advisable in 

 any case, though under certain circumstances it may 

 give as good results as any other method. 



