538 Report OF THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF. THE 
DWARF APPLES.* 
Ul P; HEDRICK, 
Dwarf apples are of recurrent interest in the United States. 
Nearly a hundred years ago pomological literature shows that 
they began to receive more or less attention in America. At 
several periods since that time fruit growers have shown un- 
usual interest in the subject, and plantations of dwarf apples 
have been made. We are now in the midst of one of these 
periodic revivals. Several prominent fruit growers recommend 
the growing of apples on dwarf stock; a book has been written 
on the subject; a number of experiment stations are trying the 
dwarfing method, and the horticultural press is telling ‘“ Why 
You Should Grow Dwarf Apples.” 
Especial interest in dwarf apples began at the New York 
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1991, when the State Fruit 
Growers’ Association, The Eastern New York Horticultural 
Society, and The Western New York Horticultural Society ap- 
pointed committees to confer with the authorities at the Station 
for the purpose of locating experimental orchards of dwarf 
apples. It is well to state here and to emphasize the motive 
which led these societies and the Station to co-operate in the 
planting of these dwarf trees. 
San José scale had invaded the State and was rapidly 
spreading. It was known that it could not be exterminated, 
and it was feared that it could not be controlled. It was 
thought at that time that the scale could be best controlled by 
fumigating the trees under tents, and it was believed that full 
grown, standard trees could not be thoroughly sprayed. Since 
it was certain that dwarf trees could be easily fumigated and 
thoroughly sprayed, fruit growers asked for an experiment to 
determine whether dwarf trees could be grown profitably in 
commercial orchards. Had it not been for the bugaboo, San 
José scale, it is doubtful if the fruit growers would have called 
*A reprint of Circular No, 12, 
