GRAPE GRAFTING. 



Introductory. 



The grafting of grapes is a subject which is increasing in im- 

 portance as grape growers become more familiar with the varie- 

 ties which are now growing in their vineyards. Many bearing 

 vineyards are not giving such satisfactory returns as were expected 

 and in many cases it is often largely owing to the fact that the 

 proper varieties have not been selected. Or a certain district 

 may be especially adapted to the growing of particular varieties, 

 and it seems to be desirable to alter vineyards now in bearing so 

 that they will produce the desired fruit without the loss of time 

 which would result from tearing up the old plants and setting 

 new ones. These and similar causes have forced viueyardists to 

 turn their attention to the grafting of their vines, and several 

 have already done considerable work of this character. In this 

 article herbaceous, or soft wood grafting, will not be considered, as 

 it is rarely used upon the grape. Various experiments upon a prac- 

 tical basis have been made during the past two or three years by 

 the writer and his former associate, L,. C. Corbett, now professor 

 of horticulture and forestry in the Agricultural CoUege'of South 

 Dakota. 



Structure of the stem. — Hard wood grafting is not a difficult 

 operation when a few essential points are observ^ed. From ninety- 

 five to one hundred per cent, of the grafts should grow when the 

 work is carefully done, and skill in performing the operations is 

 soon acquired. 



Figure i represents a cross-section of the stem of a grape, and 

 an understanding of the general character of the different parts 

 will assist in explaining the reason of the successes as well as of 

 the failures which will occur with all operators. 



The corky external layer (c k) as well as the bark (B) im- 

 mediately underneath it are composed of cells which have ceased 



