NUKSEKY MANAGEMENT 



2«I 



mant but in strong, living condition when received by the 

 grower, not shriveled or discolored, nor show other evi- 

 dence of premature or improper handling. [Straight 

 stock is specially desirable.] The union of graft or bud 

 should be good, and the roots should be free from all evi- 

 dence of woolly aphis [San Jose scale], crown-gall or 

 hairy root disease. The particular form of propagation 

 — whether whole or piece-root (282) — is immaterial so far 

 as orchard growth is concerned, also the region in which 

 ihe tree is produced, so long as the tree is sound and of 

 the right variety for the locality involved. 



One-year-old trees of good 

 size [4 to 6 feet tall], neither 

 stunted nor overgrown, are 

 usually best. Never should they 

 be older than two years from 

 bud or graft. The advantages 

 are that one-year trees usually 

 cost less to buy, to ship and to 

 plant, are more readily shipped 

 and transplanted, those fit for 

 sale are sure to be strong grow- 

 ers, and their heads can be 

 formed as desired. If older 

 trees are preferred, however, 

 their limbs should be properly 

 separated, well distributed 

 around the trunk and located 

 approximately at desired heights. 



It is best to deal direct 

 with responsible nurseries and 



to order early, submitting requirements to several firms 

 for bids. The trees may be held at the nursery, subject 

 to order at planting time. Where winters are not too se- 

 vere, fall planting is advisable, otherwise plant in spring 

 as soon as the ground is fit, though it may be done later 

 if the trees are kept satisfactorily dormant. When re- 



FIG. 211— APPLE TREE GRADES 



XXX, at left; XX, middle, X 

 at right. The XX grade is prob- 

 ably the most popular with com- 

 mercial growers. 



