Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-03-02
AMONG THR FARMERS.
"srEzD TIE PLow."
The Purchased Apple Tree.

Every orchardist knows that the apple
trees In bis orchard are OF q given variety
because the nurseryman from whom be
bought the trees grated them when
small with scion of that variety. Few
orchardists realize, however, how impor-
tant 1t is to know from whence the graft
came. To be more explicit, was the
graft taken from tree of high yield
was It taken from a limb which was It.
self in full bearingP Some results OBJ.
tanned at Highmoor Farm through the
efforts of the Maine Agricultural Expert
ment Station biologists demonstrate
what an important part care 10 selecting
CRAFTS may play In the subsequent yield
of the trees of which the graft forms the
essential part.
In 1918 the yields of Ben Davis apples
In pounds per tree ranged from 0 to 1853
pounds on SS2 trees Of orchard No. /.
These yields have been divided into five
groups 80 that each group contains 8
the total number of trees. The average
yield per tree for the lowest group Q)
was 8 pounds; the next group (2) 3.8
pounds; the next (3) 96 pounds; the
next (4) 1875 pounds and the highest
yielding group (5) 486 pounds. The
trees in these same groups had the fol-
lowing average yields In 1914 Q) Ill 8
pounds; (2) 1882 pounds; (3) 1927
pounds; (4 TAO pounds and (5) 261.4
pounds or tree In group number B
in 1918 bad yield in 1914 of times as
much as the tree in group number 2 10
1918 had in 1914.
These results are consistent with those
for the following years. Thus in 1917
group number / of 1918 had 1917 yield
of Ala pounds, 2 of 1914 pounds, 8 of
$40 pounds, 4 OF 69.1 pounds and the
highest group (5) Of 1851 pounds. The
results of 1919 and intervening years
bear out the results of 1914 in showing
the much greater yielding capacity Of
trees of the group as compared With
those of the other groups.
When 1t is realized that these differ
ences are to be attributed to the little
graft that the nurseryman put into the
scion to make the tree true to the variety
1t is forced home that the selection OF
gratis is very important matter. OF 80
much importance is 1t in point of fact
that 1t may make or break the owner of
the orchard.
From other studies it has been found
that the CRAFTS should be selected from
trees large for their age, from limbs
which are themselves high yielders, and
that water sprouts should not be used.
It goes almost without saying that vigor-
Gus, healthy trees only should be chosen
II the results sought for (heavy bearing
trees) are to be obtained.
A leading man in Maine's agriculture
wrote the Director of this Station some
months ago as to the importance of
establishing reliable nursery for propa-
cation Of the apple in Maine. The fol.
lowing is quoted from that letter:
"As have said to you previously, I
think it Is of enormous importance that
the right kind Of trees should be avail
able for the planting of future orchards.
The Maine apple is rapidly coming into
Its own, and the wisdom of the purchase
of Highmoor Farm and the carrying on
of your orchard experiments there, is
being demonstrated with greater empha-
sis year by year. I am still of the
opinion that there ought to be State
nursery established for the purpose of
scientifically demonstrating correct nur-
sery methods, and for furnishing to some
extent at least the necessary nursery
stock for the tree planters of Maine, with
special reference, perhaps, to those who
desire to plant Gregory Carlton orchards
In each succeeding five-years period. If
there is no suitable soil at Higbmoor,
there might be found within easy dis
tance, perhaps, some distinctly suitable
plot which the State could purchase and
operate In connection with the work at
Highmoor."
The suggestion is along the line that
the State has already taken up In con-
nection with the Forestry Department.
A small appropriation was made to the
Commissioner of Forestry for starting .
nursery for propagation OF white pine.
After few years this has become 80
we'll established that the returns to the
State Treasury from the sale Of trees to
citizens is covering the cost of propaga-
ton. There is no place In Maine where
at present Maine grown apple trees can
be purchased. 1t might be advisable for
the next Legislature to give this matter
of apple propagation consideration. The
function of an Experiment Station is
investigation. While 1t might be pos
sible to start this in connection with
Higbmoor Farm it should not be placed
there unless arrangements are made 80
as not to interfere or lessen the work Of
investigation now in progress. For this
work has given results OF unmeasurable
value to the State and still more impor-
tant problems are waiting for solution
Chas. D. Woods, Director.