46 



are very smooth to the toucli^ and apparently are more Homogeneous 

 than paraffin. 



The subject for experiment then, for members of this audience, 

 is that of finding some substance that may be added to give elasticity, 

 but which will not change the melting point. In the South we may 

 require in addition something to whiten our paraffin. Some men in 

 Southern California wrote me that they had fastened white paper 

 about each graft and put a rubber band over it. I suggested tliis 

 plan to one or two men in Australia and in Ceylon, who had com- 

 plained about the melting of the Parowax,' and I ha\e not yet re- 

 ceived their replies. I have been trying, however, to simplify things 

 in the way of grafting. In addition to the elasticity that we need, 

 we must have whitening, and for this purpose we must add something 

 that will not be poisonous to the tree but will mix with the parafl'in 

 readily and give a white paraffin, which will interfere somewhat with 

 the actinic light. I have found that carbonate of lead will mix well 

 with paraffin. Carbonate of zinc will also mix well. Tliey are l)oth 

 heavy, so heavy that thev need a certain amount of stirrinc;. A 

 lighttr substance is citrate of zinc, which will give elasticity, and 

 which will probably also gi\ e a white effect. It melts with the 

 paraffin and, being neutral, it will do no harm to the tree. 



I have given you an outline on which I wish discussion, for I hope 

 to get from this audience the information and suggestions that will 

 enable me to make my experiments in the right way so that by next 

 spring we may have no further need for discussing the question as 

 to the correct paraffin method in grafting. 



jMh. IJiMiv: There is another wax tliat is not so crystalline as the 

 P/irowax, and that is Candelilla, which is produced in Texas and 

 New Mexico. It may be obtained from the wax importers in New 

 York City, not from the Standard Oil Co., but the importers. I will 

 find out just where it is from. I can easily get samples. Its melting 

 point is not so higli as Parowax, but it is much higher than any of 

 the other waxes. 



I)h. Mohuis: Then by mixing it with the high-melting point 

 waxes, those of .diout 1.'38 degrees, we might get good results. 



Mk. Bixhy: I think so, and without introducing the crystalline 

 element. 



Prof. H. H. Hume of Glen St. Mary, Florida was then asked to 

 speak. He said that he uses fresh pine gum from the turpentine 



