56 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
Correspondence. 
ROOT-GRAFTING VERSUS BUDDING.—I 
I was struck by the article on Root-Grafted versus Budded Trees, 
in the last issue of the Nurseryman. The writer seems to have only 
recently found out a fact that European nurserymen have long ac¬ 
cepted as fundamental’ viz., that budded stock grows faster than 
grafted. Those amongst us who are trying to extend the “natural 
habitat" of the apple tree northward have on the other hand long 
recognized that the budded tree is a step backward; and the higher 
from the ground it is budded the more dangerous does this backward 
step become. This is of course due to the varying hardiness of the 
seedling stock. The test winter of 1898 and 1899 in my own orchard, 
and in many others furnished an opportunity when looking over the 
field as inspector of the State Board of Horticulture and showed clearly 
that the seedling stock was often killed, while the hardy top was not 
injured. Where the bud was placed low enough to be covered with 
earth or snow this injury did not appear. 
Let me describe what weather did this. On January 23d, I was 
plowing; nice spring weather, and everything looking ready to start 
into life. That afternoon the blizzard came up. I kept on plowing 
the ground, turning nicely, but the furrow freezing as it fell. Before 
I quit, the thermometer registered twenty-three degrees below zero. 
I have a test orchard of 500 trees, one half budded, one half grafted, 
planted alternately, so had a good opportunity to judge the two. You 
may not know that I brought three trees of English Paradise dwarf 
stock through that winter uninjured. I was testing them for a hardy 
stock to bud on. They are nine years old now, uninjured and bearing 
large crops of the characteristic small yellow sweet apple. I believe 
the stock is hardy and reliable and some day I intend to try a fair 
sized garden orchard budded on the English Paradise. A hardy, 
cheap stock, not a dwarf, is really wanted. I also brought safely 
through that winter and eight other winters, about thirty varieties 
of the best English apples, all grafted and most of them established 
on their own roots by deep planting. I have amongst them Cox 
Orange Pippin and Peasgood Nonsuch. I am not ready yet, however, 
to report on them. On examining others planted on the same system, 
I find that the original seedling root being so far under ground shows 
signs of sloughing off. The tree is altogether on its own roots, the 
seedling having merely served the purpose of starting growth above. 
The late Professor J. L. Budd, of Ames, Iowa, was much interested in 
this experiment and I had some correspondence on the subject. The 
English varieties were selected for me by George Bunyard, F. R. H. S., 
Maidstone, England. Some forty varieties of pears, however, all win¬ 
ter killed. H. C. B. Colvill. 
Missoula, Mont. 
NOTE—We fear that our Montana friend is on the wrong taclc if 
he expects to grow apples on dwarf or semi-dwarf stocks of the kinds 
mentioned, in the vigorous prairie climate of Montana. Better try 
the berry crab Pyrus baccata.— Ed. 
II 
It is argued by some of our leading horticulturists that the grafted 
tree has the advantage of being partly on its own roots, as the scion 
extends about four inches under ground, and that roots are thrown 
out from this scion. We find that in most varieties of grafted apple 
that less than ten per cent, ever threw out roots form the scion, es¬ 
pecially with Missouri Pippin and Wine Sap it is a rare exception to 
see a root from the scion, while in budded trees they are as well rooted 
as other varieties. This leaves our grafted trees with no brace roots 
to keep them from weaving around when transplanted until they work 
great holes around the base of the tree or blow over, while our budded 
trees are as solid and firm as a post with anchor rods attached. Forest 
trees, corn, and plants that grow from seed and root according to na¬ 
ture, are provided with these systems of brace roots in addition to 
their lower root system. A budded tree is provided in the same way, 
while a grafted tree has lost this power by having a scion substituted 
lor a part of its root. Enclosed find circular showing photographs 
of the seedlings and formation of root before bud is started, also show¬ 
ing one and two year budded and grafted trees of the same variety 
grown by us on similar ground. While we do not wish to criticize, 
we do not consider your article a fair answer, as it is based on whole 
root grafts, which we believe have little if any advantage over piece 
root grafts. 
Winfield, Kansas. Winfield Nurseries. 
NOTE.—We cannot agree with our correspondent that the scion 
does not overrule the budded root as well as the root-grafted root. 
The influence of the scion may not be apparent so soon but “it gets 
there just the same” if we give it time. The actual union whether 
of bud or scion must be the same in kind because it takes place between 
the same parts—the combining of the two. Of course the wood of 
the scion a splinter of wood if left in the bud—does not unite, because 
growth of these woody parts does not occur. As to rooting from the 
scion, this differs greatly with varieties. There is certainly much force 
in the above well timed remarks. Ed. 
A REMARKABLE RECORD OF SERVICE. 
One of the most interesting stories of long service and loyalty on 
the part of an employe comes to us from the Waukegan Nurseries of 
Illinois. Some years ago we had occasion to make a collection of 
coniferous plants on behalf of the Iowa Agricultural College, and took 
advantage of a kind offer of Mr. T. H. Douglas to get together the 
nucleus of the collection in his nursery. In digging the plants we 
became very much interested in the laborer who assisted us. He was 
called “old Mike,” his full name being Michafl Schmidt. The intel¬ 
ligent though unschooled knowledge of plants this man showed, his 
absorption in his ivork, and the affectionate regard displayed for the 
trees attracted our attention. The place was of as much importance 
to him in all respects as to his employers. The handling and care 
of the plants weighed upon him as heavily as upon the foreman. He 
was altogether a unique character. 
It appears that he entered the employ of Robert Douglas in 1853, 
although he had worked occasionally on the farm for some years pre¬ 
vious. Since 1853 he has worked continuously in the Douglas Nurseries. 
He has never been sick a day, and has never lost a day for any reason. 
He has passed his octogenarian milestone, and is still hale and hearty. 
Mr. Douglas is of the opinion that lie has handled more plants than 
any man living, for each season several million forest trees seedlings, 
large and small, pass through his hands. Some years ago the hours 
were reduced from ten to nine, but it was many days before “Mike” 
could accustom himself to the shorter working period, and for a time 
he insisted on beginning and quitting at the regular accustomed time. 
This record of health, usefulness, energy and service is a strong 
recommendation for the life of a nurseryman. Mike has lived essen¬ 
tially an outdoor life. His regular habits have brought their reward. 
J. C. 
Obituary. 
Professor A. S. Packard: The United States, in particular, and 
the world at large, lost a noted scientist by the death of Professor A. 
S. Packard of Brown University. His demise occurred about the middle 
of January. Professor Packard has been well known in the realm of 
natural science by his research and works upon zoology and entomology. 
His text books on these subjects have been found well adapted to 
school and college work, and have been widely used. 
Hermann Wilfarth: There died at Brenburg, Germany, on No¬ 
vember 27, 1904, Hermann Wilfarth, director of the agricultural ex¬ 
periment station of this place. Professor Wilfarth is known to the 
agricultural world as the associate of Professor Hellriegel, in the 
classic investigation on the nitrogen feeding of grasses and leguminous 
plants. The results of these experiments were published in 1888, 
and marked an epoch in the advance of agricultural science. 
Selim Lemstrom: The death of this noted scientist 'occurred in 
Finland on October 2d. Professor Lemstrom is noted for his work 
on agricultural physics. His investigations on the influence of elec¬ 
tricity on plant growth; on the prevention of light frosts by the use of 
smudges and vapor are widely known. Professor Lemstrom visited 
the United States some years ago, and was in close touch with a num¬ 
ber of our experiment station workers. 
