14 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



insert the scion between the bark and wood ; have the 

 shoulder rest on the stock ; then apply the composition all 

 over the wound ; wrap a strip of cloth (cotton) about three 

 inches wide around it firmly two or three times, and tie with 

 small thread. We have heard objections to this mode of 

 grafting, on account of the graft being blown off before 

 growing firmly to the stock. Nevertheless we have tried it 

 with success, and found it makes a strong, perfect union, 

 when the scion has grown as large as the stock. 



Cleft-grafting is performed by sawing the stock, as in skin- 

 grafting, clean and smooth ; then the stock is split by 

 holding the grafting-knife in the centre, and striking lightly 

 with a hammer, use the chisel on the knife to keep the split 

 open until the scions are inserted, one on each side ; cut the 

 scion in the shape of a wedge to fit snugly the split in the 

 stock, and have a bud on it close to the stock on the out- 

 side ; when this is done, insert the scions firmly in the 

 stock, and see that the inner barks of both scion and stock 

 come in perfect contact; then apply the composition, as in 

 the case of skin-grafting, and fill every crevice to exclude 

 air and rain-water ; wrap a strip of cloth two or three times 

 round it, and tie with thread, as in skin-grafting. Success 

 will depend on good fitting and clean cutting. 



In large stocks an inch and a half in diameter, or more, 

 two scions should be inserted ; but, if both grow, one should 

 be removed when they get close together, as the wound on 

 the stock will then be healed, and only one is needed. 

 Prune back the growth on the scion the following spring so 

 that it may grow stocky, and throw out shoots close to the 

 stock, to form a new head for the tree. Grafted trees should 

 be watched closely during the growing season, as they throw 

 out immense quantities of suckers, which, if left to grow, 

 will almost starve the. young grafts. These should be 

 checked as fast as they appear, though it is necessary to 

 leave part of the branches on the stock to balance growth. 

 They may be removed altogether the second or third season, 

 or according to the size and growth of the tree. A little 

 experience will teach how to regulate this. 



