502 RErOET OF THE DEPAKT.ArKXT OK IToKTlCULTUIJE OF THE 



reached by others, that the union is Lest if grafting be done when 

 the stock is lujt in full sap. Callous tissue does not develop well 

 when the vine is bleeding badly and the operation should, there- 

 fore, be done just before or just after the period of greatest activity 

 of sap. If done while the sap is in full flow the rooted stock should 

 be cut a few days before grafting. It is held in France that heavy 

 rains during grafting are almost fatal to success and that the grafts 

 must not be luaintained under any circumstances in surroundings 

 excessively damp. 



Preparatory to grafting, the earth Avas removed from around 

 the stocks to a depth of a few inches. The vines were then decapi- 

 tated just below the surface of the ground and at right angles with 

 the axis of the stock. The stock thus prepared was grafted with 

 the ordinary cleft graft, but one cion being used, however. Pre- 

 caution was taken to make the wedge of the graft at a node. After 

 the insertion of the cion the graft was securely tied with raffia and 

 covered with grafting wax and the vine mounded up to the upper 

 bud of the cion with fresh earth carefully firmed. Later experi- 

 ences show a much higher percentage of good grafts if grafting wax 

 is not used, probably because the flowing sap escapes more readily. 

 The mound is important and should be made of soil not too stiff 

 and wet and yet firm enough to maintain an even temperature, 

 prevent too rapid evaporation and guard the cion against being 

 blown or knocked out. 



Late in the season all of the vines v/ere examined for a count 

 of live and healthy plants and to remove roots which had developed 

 from the cions. In the light of more recent experience, it is 

 probable that the vines suffered from not having the roots of the 

 cions removed earlier in the season — • say July or August ; for, 

 since the cions were nourished partly by their own roots the root- 

 systems of the stocks, having less to do, did not make the greatest 

 possible growth and suffered to that extent. Eventually this prob- 

 ably reacted on the whole vine. The advice may be offered, in 

 which more experienced grafters generally agree, to sever the roots 

 of the cion as soon as possible. If the raffia has not rotted when the 



