PJlOrAGATlON BY BUDDING AND GKAETING. 85 



pheric conditions, but we are rapidly gaining ground in 

 tMs desirable direction. 



89. Top-working the Apple. — In the more favored parts 

 of the Union top-grafting as yet has been confined mainly 

 to changing the tops of seedlings and undesirable varieties. 

 In the citrus-growing districts in like manner the work 

 has been mainly confined to changing the tops of seedlings 

 and unprofitable varieties. In the 

 prairie States some progress has 

 been made in selecting stocks 

 noted for their hardiness and in- 

 herent vitality, such as the Vir- 

 ginia crab, GrosPomier, Hibernal, 

 and some of the robust Eussian 

 varieties. Some advance has also 

 been made in following the Eu- 

 ropean method of setting the 

 stocks in orchard and top-working 

 them the succeeding spring. This 

 working of young trees permits 

 the insertion of scions in the top 

 and side branches, giving forks 

 of tlie hardy variety used for 

 working, as shown in Fig. 47. F^«- \-,^,]^''''''^ 

 In toii-v>-orking young trees it is 



best to use the side-cut method as in crown-grafting plum 

 and cherry ('SO). If the waxing is done with the liquid 

 nlastic covered by winding with white cotton strips, it 

 answers the purpose of tying. Yet as growth goes on 

 the coveriim' loosens without injury to the graft or stock. 



90. Top-working Old Trees. — In the South and the 

 States east of the lakes top-working old trees and undesir- 

 able varieties is so common that travelling professional 

 o-rafters follow the work each spring. In the prairie States 



