The record-union., 1898-12-20
RESISTANT APPLE STOCK.
VARIETIES NOT AFFECTED BY
WOOLLY APHIS.
Some Facts That Should be of In
terest to Those Engaged in
Fruit Growing.

Secretary B. NJ. Lelong of the State
Board Of Horticulture read paper at
the recent State Convention OF Fruit
growers at Fresno, on the subject OF
Apple Stock Resistant to Pests" which
will be of interest to horticulturists VINO
were not present. Mr.. Lelong said:
THE woolly aphis, so-called, is Well
known to most every grower Of apples
and is the most troublesome pest affect
ing that tree. All remedies, however
effectual, have given only temporary re-
lief. In Australia SO deadly had the
attacks of this insect been to apple or
chards that apple culture was almost
abandoned, until the discovery of aphis
resistant stocks. 1t was discovered
that the Northern Spy on its own roots
was absolutely aphis-proof. Other va
rieties such as the Winter Majetin,
Gravenstein, Duchess of Oldenburg,
New England, Pigeon, Striped Beaui1n,
Perfection, Lord Woolsey and Irish
Peach, We're also found to be aphis-
proof, but the Northern Spy is the most
preferable.
In this State Rawle's Janet and
Golden Russet have been known to
somewhat resist the attacks of the
aphis, but are not absolutely aphis-
proof. There are three methods of
growing aphis-resistant stocks in Aus
tralia-
THE first is to side graft or invert
a piece of any kind Of apple root in an
obiQue cut on a cutting two inches
from it's base. The cuttings emit
roots of their own below the inserted
root; the following winter the plants
are lifted and the piece of root that was
grated on is cut clean out, leaving of
course the young plants now on their
own roots
"Second-Another method pursued is
to propagate the species by their own
roots as root cuttings; in planting the
roots leaving the smallest trace only
above the surface. These root cut
tings make fine trees and are fit to re-
graft the following season. Northern
Spy scions are also grated on their
own roots; likewise Northern Spy and
Majetin scions are also worked on
Northern Spy roots, or Northern Spy
on Majetin roots. 1t seems to make but
little difference either way; they are
blight proof stocks and all varieties
worked on them do well.
"Third-This differs but little from the
first method The young apple seed
lings are taken up in January or Feb
ruary, the roots washed of all dirt, etc,
and cut into lengths of about four
inches. There ere various ways of
uniting the root and scion but the whip
and tongue graft are the most prefera-
ble The sciOns and roots being pre-
pared are united to the root as follows:
An oblique or sloping cut or tongue is
made in the root and the scion is like
wise prepared, which is made from four
to ten inches long, and united with the
root. leaving to it a projection from one
to two inches, long below the point of
union.
''As each graft is made it is tightly
bound with strips of calico or cotton
cloth to keep the parts in place, or can
be wrapped with strips Of calico or
waxed paper. These decay shortly
after the planting of the graft. The
secret of success is the same as in all
grating. The inner bark Of the scion
and root must be in close contact at
one or more points. The union only
takes place where these parts are as
sociated The CRAFTS are then put away
in sand until planting time in February,
in the following manner:
"On the floor of the propagating house
or shed sand is Spread out Of sufficient
depth to cover the CRAFTS. The gratis
are stood up or laid down at an angle
of 10 degrees, in punches or loose and
covered with sand to within an inch or
two of the top. They are kept in the
sand until the scion and root callous
over; they are then taken out of the
sand and planted in the nursery. While
they are in the sand care must be eX-
ercised that they be not too wet, as
the bark of the CRAFTS is liable to decay.
Again, they must not be allowed to
get dry, as the bark Of the graft will
shrivel and adhesion is prevented. In the
spring the CRAFTS start, all shoots are
removed except one, the most vigorous
of all, which is to form the tree. In
year the young tree-entirely aphis-
proof, is ready to be planted to orchard,
or If other varieties are wanted, they
are budded over or grated"
TuE OT,n STORY.