Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-05-22
work economically and most satisfac-
torily.- Wisconsin Agricultural.
TREES ON THEIR OWN ROOTS.

Quite recently some of our English
cousins claimed to have discovered that
all kinds of fruit and ornamental trees
are far letter and more valuable on their
own roots than when worked on Seeding
or other stocks, as generally practiced in
propagating such trees in nurseries. The
usual claim that sit is more natural" is
advanced in support of their theory, but
unfortunately the theorists overlook
the fact that tree culture is an art, and
that we employ and use nature as foun-
dation upon which to build, following
her only so far as she may assist and di-
rect us IN our work. Because nature
does not transplant, bud, graft and propa-
gate trees by cuttings and other artificial
methods it does not follow that we must
not do so, any more than we must net
wear clothes because mother nature fails
to provide them ready made for our use.
We make mistakes in the propagation of
trees and shrubs while budding and
grating, not only in the selection of
proper stocks, but also in setting the
buds and cions either too high or too
low, and if failures follow they are not
to be taken as an evidence of the fallacy
Of the methods employed, but the want
of practical knowledge and experience in
the operator.
The system of root grating pears and
apples so long practiced by our nursery
men eventually results in just the form
of trees our English cousins claim to be
the most perfect, for the pieces of roots
used in this mode Of propagation rarely
serve more than temporary purpose in
giving the plant start in life, and, when
set out in the nursery, or planted in the
orchard, new roots soon push out from
the stem above the point of junction be-
tween stalk and cion, and henceforward
the tree draws part or all nutrients from
the soil through its own roots. Pears
when budded on ounce stalks and trans
planted to the orchard are usually set
deep enough to cover the stalk and per-
nit the production of roots from the pear
wood above it. The apple and pear trees
in the older orchards of this country were
almost invariably grated, if grated at
all; on strong stocks several feet from the
ground, either on the main stem or
branches of large trees, and that this
MODE Of propagating the different va
rieties then in cultivation was a success
few persons will attempt to deny, for
many of these old trees after withstand
ing the assaults of enemies for a century
are yet bearing fruit in greater or less
abundance. This old mode of grating
and budding on large and strong stalks
is still practiced with many kinds of both
fruit and ornamental trees, and for the
very good reason it is the best for GER
tain varieties, which are either of slow
growth or produce weak and slender
stems when root grated. All forms and
modes of propagation are useful in their
way. aud no one is equally we'll adapted
to the multiplication of all kinds of
plants, and it would be worse than folly
to attempt to discard budding and graft
ing even with varieties that are readily
propagated by cuttings.
Whatever may be the facts in regard to
the growth, cultivation and longevity of
fruit and ornamental trees in Great Brit
ain, we certainly have no occasion in this
country to look upon budded and grated
trees generally as inferior to those on their
own roots. Agriculturist.