trunks and low, round-headed tops, and will come into bearing much sooner than otherwise. The trees and shrubs of other kinds should meanwhile be cut periodically, at least in so far as they directly interfere with the symmetrical development of the chestnuts, so that the latter will eventually occupy the whole ground. Had a little care of this kind been exercised over a very few only of the beautifully timbered lands of Pennsylvania after the cutting of the original growth there would now be many thousands of productive trees yielding a handsome revenue to their owners. In effect this is but giving a little attention to the second growth which appears after every cutting of chestnut land, and thus turning its energy into a particular channel. When the small amount of labor necessary to do this is considered it is surprising that more do not undertake it. It will be necessary to afford some protection from fire and trespassers, but what reasons can be given for not protecting and enforcing the rights on property of this kind as on any other? But such sprout-growths can be treated in another way. If taken when they are still young and small they can be grafted with scions of any of the named varieties which are now offered by nurserymen. The advantages of this method are so great, and it can be so easily applied in many parts of the State where this tree is common, that a description of what has been done will be the readiest means of understanding and appreciating it, and a guide for those who wish to undertake it. Along the west side of the Susquehanna river, in York county, opposite Marietta, runs a low, rough mountain ridge of quartz rock. which is the hardest and least easily disintegrated of all rock ma terials. Where it has been cleared of brush and tree growth the surface is strewed with boulders broken off of the parent ledge. Soil can scarcely be said to exist. At best there is but a gravelly surface with here and there the loose rocks in profusion. To look at a cleared portion of it one might very naturally suppose that nothing whatever could grow upon it. Nevertheless there has been a quite liberal tree growth here, chiefly of rock oak and chestnut, and it is evident that the hillside is fit for nothing else. It has been cut over at least once, quite likely twice, and allowed to grow up to sprouts again. While chestnut was the dominant growth it was so thick and crowded that the trees never amounted to anything as nut producers. The wood was useful for posts and rails, but the owner, Mr. Engle, says he never thought it worth while to attempt to gather the few scattered nuts which they produced. About sixteen years ago he received from Mr. William L. Schaeffer, of Philadelphia, grafts of a variety of chestnut called the "Great American," since it was thought to be a large fruited form of the native American species. These grafts were set in trees growing in his door-yard, and have now made beautiful, low, round-headed specimens strikingly like the apple tree in general appearance. They grew rapidly and bore almost every year. These trees were so closely surrounded by buildings and fences that it was not feasible to take a photograph of them, but a smaller tree, now eight years old, is shown in the frontispiece as it appeared in January. Soon they called attention to the superior character of the variety, and suggested the experiment of grafting on the young sprouts upon the hillside across the river. Accordingly the native growth was cleared away, a few acres each year, and, after a year from cutting, when the young sprouts had sprung up about each stump, the process of grafting began. The sprouts were thinned out freely so those remaining should be as uniformly spaced as possible. These were then grafted with scions supplied from the few dooryard trees first worked. The process of grafting did not differ materially from that long employed in the propagation of the apple and other familiar fruits, but rather seems to correspond so closely to it that any one who can graft the apple can graft equally well the chestnut, although it is probable that the percentage of successful grafts with the latter will always be somewhat smaller. Care must be taken to have both stock and scion in good condition. The scion, particularly, should be dormant, and yet plump and ready to quicken and start into active growth so soon as the current between stock and graft is established. Particular time, early or late in the spring, does not seem to be essential so long as the scions are in this satisfactory condition. But, considering how easily they become im paired as the warm and sometimes dry weather of spring arrives. I much incline to favor early grafting. I have had the best success with the early set grafts. Mr. Engle, however, is inclined to pay little attention to time and to do the work when it is most convenient. Neither does there seem to be much choice in the kind or grafting employed, excepting as that is determined by the size of the stock. In general, preference has been given to whip or tongue grafting the sprouts which are half an inch or thereabouts in diameter. This is a more rapid method than cleft grafting, and by it a closer contact with the stock can be obtained, and the grafts are less easily displaced. Should the graft fail to grow, cleft grafting the succeeding year will often be required on account of the increased size which the sprouts have reached. Grafts should be set up two or three feet from the ground; even then the tendency is to make low and broad tops. Sometimes the union is imperfect and a knob or irregular swelling shows where the grafting was done. But more commonly no dis |