92 



There are many ways of shaping the cion and of preparing the 

 stock to receive it. These ways are dictated hirgely by the relative 

 sizes of cion and stock, although many of tliem are matters of mere 

 personal jDreference. The underlying principles are two : see that 



there is close contact between the cambiums of 

 cion and stock ; cover the wounded surfaces to 

 prevent evaporation and to protect the parts 

 from disease. 



On large stocks the common form of grafting 

 is the cleft-graft. The stock is cut otf and split ? 

 and in one or botli sides a wedge-shaped cion is 

 firmly inserted. Fig. 51 shows tiie cion ; Fig. 

 55 tlie cions set in the stock ; Fig. 56 the stock 

 waxed. It will be seen that the lower bud — 

 that lying in the wedge — is covered by the 

 wax ; but being nearest the food supply and 

 least exposed to weather, it is the most likely to 

 grow ; it pushes through the wax. 



The wax is made of beeswax, resin and tallow. 

 The hands are greased, and the wax is then 

 worked until it is soft enough to 

 spread. For the little grafting 

 which any school would do, it is 

 better to buy the wax of a seeds- 

 man. However, grafting is hardly to be recom- 

 mended as a general school diversion, as the making 

 of cuttings is ; and this account of it is inserted 

 cliiefly to satisfy the general curiosity on the sub- 

 ject. But we hope that now and then a youngster 

 will make the effort for himself, for nothing is more 57,—Shield-bud- 

 exciting than to make a graft grow all by one's self. 

 Cleft-grafthig is done in spring, as growth begins. 

 The cions are cut previously, when perfectly dormant, 

 and from the tree which it is desired to propagate. The cions are 

 kept in sand or moss in the cellar. Limbs of various sizes may be 



484 



56. — T7ie graft icaxed. 



ding. One- 

 half natui al 

 size. 



