18 



The thumb and finger may be used for the removal of sprouts and 

 buds during the summer. A pair of small pruning shears will remove 

 all twigs less than half an inch in diameter. For larger limbs a sharp 

 fine-tooth saw is needed. Make all cuts as smooth as possible and close 

 to the main stem. When a large limb has to be removed, it maj) be ad- 

 visable to cut twice, the first some inches out to avoid splitting, and the 

 second to shorten the stub. A common mistake is the leaving of long 

 stubs which cannot heal over before rot begins. Where it is necessary to 

 remove large limbs, the wounds should be covered with grafting 

 wax or thick lead paint to prevent the entrance of spores which cause 

 decay. 



Grafting. 



Grafting is the operation of inserting a scion into a stock, usually 

 for the object of changing the variety of fruit produced. Trees bearing 

 undesirable fruit may be top-grafted with some valuable variety. Many 

 choice half-hardy varieties may be successfully grown by top-working on 

 some hardy stock. Especially desirable characteristics in any variety 

 may be perpetuated by grafting. Individuality is quite as marked in 

 plants as in animals. A certain tree may possess some desirable quality, 

 and this may be preserved and perhaps improved upon by selection. It 

 is advisable when cutting scions to select from those trees which have 

 the desirable characteristics most strongly marked. Nurserymen, as a 

 rule, do not pay sufficient attention to the source from which they se- 

 cure their scions. The individual orchardist may greatly improve his 

 plantation by top-grafting with scions from a tree having the desired 

 qualities most strongly marked. 



Grafting is usually performed in the spring. It is essential that the 

 cambium layer of the scion and stock be in contact on at least one side. 

 From this mucilaginous layer, lying between the wood and the bark, 

 the new cells are formed which in time unite the parts and cover the 

 wound. It is necessary to cover the wounds made in outdoor grafting 

 to prevent the entrance of rot-producing spores. For this purpose wax 

 is generally used. 



A good grafting wax may be made by melting together four pounds 

 resin, two pounds beeswax, and one pound tallow. Cool by pouring into 

 a tub of water. Then work up into bars or balls which may be kept in 

 any cool place until required. To economize wax, cloth is sometimes 

 dipped into the hot wax, making wax-cloth. This is more difficult to 

 use than pure wax. The wax may be melted and carried in a glue pot 

 and applied with a brush, or as is more commonly done, it may be kept 

 in water warm enough to keep the wax pliable so it may be readily ap- 

 plied by hand. It is well to keep the hands greased to prevent the wax 

 from adhering to the fingers. 



