51 



caway. This forces tlie lower end of the scion into pL'ice. Slip the 

 end of the raffia under the last turn or two and pull it tight. The 

 graft is then ready for waxing. 



Waxing 



A very important point about the use of paraffin for graftirug 

 wax is that it shall be at the right temperature. Many make the 

 mistake of using it too cool. It must be so hot that when applied it 

 runs and spreads forming a thin film. If too cool it will not pene- 

 trate the crevices, and when it get cold it is likely to crack and flake 

 off. The right temperature is just below where the parafin begins to 

 smoke. If it smokes it is too hot. If it does not spread at a touch 

 it is too cool. Apply it with a light quick touch to the whole site of 

 the operation, the scion, its tip, buds and bark, to the tongue of bark 

 on the stock, being sure to apply it low enough to cover the lower ends 

 of the incisions in the bark, which often escape notice. The top of 

 the stock must also be completely covered with paraffin. The method 

 of tying described, making two bands around the graft instead of 

 completely covering it with the raffia, allows the hot paraffin to run 

 under the raffia wherever tliere is a space, thus leaving no open spaces 

 whatever in the whole graft where sap might accumulate and spoil it 

 by fermenting. When the graft is finished the paraffin should only 

 be noticeable by its shining appearance. There should be no blobs and 

 dribblings. 



Now label the graft with a painted wooden label with copper 

 wire fastening, with the date, the name of the variety and any other 

 record desired. A good thing to which to fasten the label is a small 

 staple driven into the stock. Pass the doubled wire through the staple 

 and twist it up firmly so that it will not sway in the wind. By 

 using tliis method of labelling the tags will not have to be shifted 

 about and they will stay in place and remain legible for a long time. 

 Do not separate the wires and leave the label loose and swaying in 

 the wind or it will be sure, sooner or later, to wear away the wire 

 and become lost. 



After Care 



In from ten days to three or four weeks the grafts should begin 

 to grow. They should be inspected at least o"ce a week, at first, any 

 imperfections in the waxing or tying made good, and bud-eating worms 



