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Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 155, 23 February 1932, Page 2

In a recent inspection of an orchard in the Pakowhai Road, near Hastings, a representative of the Hawke's Bay Tribune was much impressed with the economical system of grafting adopted by the owner. Instead of cutting off all the branches on the tree a number of the lower branches were left, which are throwing a substantial crop of apples, while the branches towards the centre have had grafts established. There is a further advantage in following this practice, besides securing a substantial crop per acre. The stump of a strong tree, if all the branches were sawn off, would be apt to throw a great growth which would smother the grafts, but exeess vitality- is absorbed in the branches producing fruit. After the grafts have becorne well established and are producing fruit, the lower branches are then sawn off. Several trees, which had been treated in a similar manner in previous years, are giving good results.