The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-10-01

One of the questions in horticulture
that seems never to be settled is the
influence of the stock on the scion.
Where root CRAFTS are used, whether
whole or piece roots, there is doubt
less very little influence, if any, on
the scion. But where top-working is
practiced the result seems to be diff
ferent. In root CRAFTS the new tree
is in a measure on it's own roots but
not so in top working. In fact the
best root graft is where a long scion
is used on a short piece of root. The
new graft should be set SO as to have
but one bud above the ground. In
such a case the buds on the scion
below the ground will make roots and
not limbs. The piece of root simply
nourishes the scion till it forms its
roots, and then, so far as any practical
results are concerned, the piece of root
may be cut off when we have a tree
on it's own roots. The fad about
whole root gratis" is either founded
in ignorance or is worked by designing
men for commercial purposes. The
writer prefers long scion on a short
piece of root set deep, as indicated
above, to any so-called whole root
CRAFTS. Very many of our leading hOr-
ticulturists are free 20 say that there
is nothing in this fad of whole root
CRAFTS" A young tree then being on
it's own roots, or practically so, the
scion is not influenced by the stock
But it stands to reason that tree with
it's root system established must have
some influence on the young gratis
where top-working is practiced. The
fruit, as we'll as the growth of the
scions, will show the influence of the
stock. Quite a gOor many of our most
observing men admit this to be true.
1t can not very we'll be denied
with the actual results before our eyes.
But here comes in another fact that we
learn by observation, and that is.
The new top in time Will revert to it's
old type of fruit The writer has some
Stayman Winesaps worked on to some
vigorous Wolf River trees about ten
years old The fruit On these new tops
seems very much like a cross between
these two apples. The apples on these
new tops certainly do not resemble
either the Stayman or the Wolf River
Close watch will be kept on these trees
and the results will be published. It
is confidently believed that the apples
on these trees will grow more and
more like the Stayman.
Howell Ralston, of Leavenworth
Wash, writes as follows under date
of September g. 1905: could you in
form me through the columns of The
Ranch which variety of the standard
best varieties of winter apples has
the most upright habit of growth?
Also which the most compact and
stiff-limbed with regard to holding up
it's load of fruit? We need an apple
tree here that will resist the effects
of our heavy SHOWS. The Yellow
Transparent is ideal in this respect
but is a summer apple and is not plant
ed extensively. But there will be a
large acreage of winter apples planted
in this vicinity. Hence, the inquiry
for a winter apple of the most up
right and sturdy habit of growth" In
reply to this | would say that such
question is a practical one and indi-
Gates a line of inquiry that should
engage the attention of all fruit grow
ers. Conditions vary much in different
parts of our great country. 1t is I'M
wise to decide that because certain
kind of fruit or a certain kind OF a
tree does well in one section 1t will
do equally well in other sections. |
have been saying to the readers OF
The Ranch and to many privately that
local conditions must be studied. Only
the other day man came to me and
asked me to tell what kinds of apples
to grow in WhatcOm county, Washing
ton | sent him to J. Wayland Clarke,
who has a fine exhibit of fruit at the
Lewis and Clark fair from WhatcOm
county. | told him if Mr. Clark could
not give him all the information he de
sired, to hunt up some of the fruit
growers of that county when he set
tied there and learn from them what