466 



Bulletin 77. 



ft 



receive the cions ; in many cases this advice is well worth follow- 

 ing for it is practically impossible in some instances to split a stub 

 in such a manner that a cion will have much chance of growing- 

 When the stub has been split or sawed to a depth of about two 

 inches it is then ready to receive the cions. These should be 

 prepared as shown in Fig. 4. They should carry at least two 

 buds, and short-jointed wood may carry three. The 

 cuts which form the lower end of the cion into a 

 wedge should begin a little below and on each side of 

 the lower bud. The wood should be cut so that the 

 edge opposite the bud shall be thinner than the part 

 under it, as is shown in the illustration. These cions 

 may be prepared in this manner before taking them 

 to the field, but care must be taken that the cut surfaces 

 do not become dry. This may be prevented by packing 

 them in some clean material as moss or moistened 

 clo'.h. When all is ready for the insertion, the wedge 

 which projects at the end of the grafting knife, Fig. 

 3, is driven into the central portion of the cleft until 

 the space is large enough to receive the cions. These 

 are then "carefully inserted, not in a direction parallel 

 to the central axis of the stub, but at a slight angl 

 with it, allowing the tops of the cions to lean a trifle 

 away from the stub and from each other. The rea- 

 son for this inclination is to make sure that the cam- 

 bium layers of cion and stock cross at one point at least. 

 The greater the angle of the cion the shorter will be 

 this place of contact ; therefore, care must be taken 

 that the cions diverge but slightly. When both 

 cions are in position, the lower bud, having been 

 placed on the outside, the wedge is carefully with- 

 drawn. As the cleft in the stub closes, pressure is brought to bear 

 upon the grafts ; but since these were cut so that the portion under 

 the lower bud is thicker than the part opposite to it, the pressure 

 is greater at the outer side of the cion. This is where it is wanted, 

 for the cambium layers are brought into very close contact and 

 if the work has been well done success is practically assured. In 

 case of large stubs, the pressure in the cleft may be severe enough 



Cion. 



