41 



years. It can be used only during the growing season when the bark 

 will slip. It is very successful, whether put in at the top of a cut off 

 stock, or inserted in the side of a limb or the trunk. It is not con- 

 venient to use unless the scion is considerably smaller than the stock. 

 The scion is cut with a scarf, or bevel, on one side only. When the slot 

 is to be made in the top of a cut off stock two vertical cuts are made 

 through the bark, as far apart as the scion is wide, the tongue of bark 

 tlius formed is raised slightly at the top, and the point of the scion is 

 inserted, cut surface toward the center of the tree, and pushed down 

 firmly into place. The superfluous part of the tongue of bark is then 

 cut off. By slightly undercutting the edges of the slot, and slightly 

 tapering it toward the bottom, the scion may be wedged, or dovetailed, 

 in place so as to be very firm'. It is even possible to dispense with 

 tying, sometimes, but better not to do so. 



When the slot is to be made in the side of a limb or trunk the same 

 procedure is followed except that it is necessary before making the slot 

 to remove a notch of bark, at right angles to the axis of the trunk, so 

 as to free the upper end of the tongue of bark. 



The bark slot graft is the easiest of all and readily mastered once 

 the grafter learns to shape a true scion. It is much better than the old 

 bark graft ■w'^iere the bark of the stock is forced away from the wood 

 leaving considerable space to be filled or covered. 



These two forms of graft, the side graft, of which Mr. Jones's 

 modified cleft graft is only a variation, as before stated, and the bark 

 slot, in its two variations as described, will meet all needs in topwork- 

 ing hickory trees. 



Unally, prevention of desiccation of the graft is obtained bv waxing. 

 I have found Dr. Morris's method with melted paraffine satisfactory. 

 The addition of raw pine gum, as advocated by Dr. Morris is un- 

 doubtedly an advantage under certain conditions, described by him, but 

 I have not yet used it. The melted parowax is applied to the whole 

 graft and wrapping, leaving no cut surface exposed and the whole 

 scion being covered. If the paraffine is at just the right temperature 

 it will spread at a touch, covering the surfaces without danger of scald- 

 ing. It is much more effective thus applied than if colder and daubed 

 on. The thicker the waxing the more likely to crack and separate. If 

 the paraffine smokes it is too hot. If it does not smoke, and is dex- 

 terously applied, I think we can feel safely that it cannot be too hot. 



