The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-03-29
RECON-. g<~1>n>0>9>9<1l>9>1>a<1>1<
TREE CARE RECON-
MENDATION GIVEN
(By Gordon G. Brown

many odd varieties of doubtful com.
mercial value that they must either
continue to maintain them on the
same expensive basis as is necessary
for the more desirable sorts aud
face the probability of accomplishing
little more than breaking even finan-
cially, or remove them for replanting
or, as seems practical in many cases,
to topwork them to a more desirable
sort.
This article does not aim to infiu-
ence the grower one way or another
in this regard. He should know
whether it has paid him to keep
such varieties as Ben Davis or Bald
wins in his orchard or not. The aim
is merely to give such timely sug-
gestions as the writer deems desir-
able regarding methods of proceed
ure should the grower decide to adopt
the latter alternative.
Generally speaking it Is probably
advisable to top graft trees under 20
or 25 years of age that are in good.
healthy condition. II they are not,
this operation should not be attempt.
ed.
Scions are cut in Fall or Winter, or
at any time before buds swell in
the Spring. Only the previous years
growth is used in all ordinary cases.
The scions are stored in moss, sand
or sawdust in a cool cellar or they
may be buried in sandy place.
When a few only are wanted they
may be thrust into the ground beside
the tree into which they are to De
set, Only well-formed and mature
buds should be used.
Trees as old as indicated may be
remodeled in three or four years by
inserting scions in part Of the branch
es each successive season. Branch.
es larger than two and one-half inch.
es in diameter should not be grated
as they do not heal over and are
more susceptible to sun scald. The
aim should be to maintain the origin
al form of the tree. The branches
are cut off rather close to the body
and at a greater distance as the base
is approached. The large branches
need shading as the remodeling is
in process. This may be provided by
distributing scions evenly through
out the tree each year and by leav
ing some of the older branches
Only a few branches should be graft
ed in one place in single year, as
the exposed stubs are often sun
scalded. 1t is always advisable to
graft a larger number OF branches
than necessary for the final top. The
scions shade the branches and may be
removed as they overcrowd.
In cleft grating, the stock is Gu,
off squarely and split through the
center and into the split scion car
rying about three buds with a wedge
shaped base is inserted. This method
is almost universally employed fol
top grating old trees. The end ol
the stock or the stub" is usually
large enough to accommodate two
scions, one upon either side. 1t Ii
usually better to insert two scions
not only because they double the
chances for success but because they
hasten the healing process. Owing
to the fact that cleft-grafting is al
best harsh process one should
choose the smaller limbs for the
operation.
Care should be taken to properl,
make the scions. A single draw GU
on each side with sharp blade i.
much better than two or three partia
ones. A good CRATER makes a scior
by three strokes of the knife; one Il
cut off the scion and two to shape 1t
The outer edge of the wedge shouls
be little thicker than the innel
one, so that the stock will bind up
on it and hold 1t firm where tn,
union first takes place.
The stock or stub should be Gu
off square and smooth with sharp
fine-toothed saw. Split the stub to
depth of an inch to two inches
There are several kinds of knives
on the market suitable for this pur
pose. The scions must be thrus
down, in the cleft, to the first bud
or even deeper, and it is imperativ,
that they fit tight The line of sep
aration between the bark and WOO,
in the scion should meet as nearl,
as possible the similar line in th
stock. Scions are usually set triH
obliquely, the tops projecting out
wards, to insure the contact of cross
ing Of the cambium layers. All larg
branches which must be sacrifice,
ought to be cut out when the graf,
ing is done as they increase in dia
meter very rapidly after so much o
the top is removed. A horizonta
branch lying directly over or unde
another should not be grated, for
is the habit Of gratis to grow uprigh
rather than horizontally, then on,
scion may not stand directly unde
another.
Top grating is done in the Spring
The best time is when tho leaves ar,
pushing out, as wounds made thei
heal quickly and scions are NOR,
apt to live. When large amount 0
grating must be done, it is neces
sary to begin a month, or even two