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The whip-graft, known by all fruit-growers, was used in bench- 

 grafting. Of the several methods of cutting cion and stock prepa- 

 ratory to uniting them, the style used was similar to the whip-graft- 

 ing of nursery stock — illustrated in Plate LX VI I. Grape-growers 

 often ask what graft to use in bench-grafting. The choice must 

 depend upon the material and the graft must be used which, with 

 the material in hand, will best bring the cambium layer of stock 

 and cion into juxtaposition and hold them there until the parts 

 are firmly united. The method used in this experiment seemed to 

 answer the purposes best and at the same time was easily per- 

 formed. Of all grafts, this one mutilates and exposes the plant 

 tissues as little as any. 



A few brief statements in regard to making whip-grafts may 

 not be out of place. The aim should be to make the cut of the 

 stock duplicate that of the cion so that the cut surfaces cover as 

 nearly as possible. The cut is made with one motion of the knife 

 and with a quick, sliding movement. The length of the cut sur- 

 face depends upon the diameter of stock and cion — the thinner 

 the wood the longer the surface, which will usually be in length 

 from three to four times the diameter of the graft. The tongues 

 are cut and under no circumstances split. The tongue begins 

 about one-third of the length of the beveled surface and extends 

 a little more than one-half of the remaining surface. AVhen stock 

 and cion are joined, the cut surfaces should exactly cover without 

 projections or on the other hand without an}- exposure of cut sur- 

 face. No matter how firm the graft may seem after the parts are 

 placed together, tying is necessary. For this purpose, use raffia 

 or waxed string. Though the grafts for this experiment were 

 waxed, this operation is not necessary and in fact is midesirable. 



As soon as made the grafts should be placed under conditions 

 favorable for callousing and uniting the cut surfaces, and the root- 

 ing of the stock. Favorable conditions for these vital actions can 

 be had only in a specially prepared place where moisture, tempera- 

 ture and aeration can be controlled. Such a callousing bed can be 

 made of sand or of clean sphagnum moss, in either case under 



