356 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Blake says, " not being able to procure plants of 

 double Dahlias, but having opportunities of obtain- 

 ing cuttings from my brother gardeners, I was 

 induced to try the experiment of grafting them, in 

 preference to striking the cuttings, which is a tedi- 

 ous process. I first attempted it last year, but 

 began too late to succeed well ; for unless the nev/ 

 plant form eyes for the succeeding year, it is nothing 

 more than annual; and the work must be done 

 early, to effect this object. In the present season, 

 I have succeeded beyond my most sanguine expec- 

 tations. 



'' The cutting intended for the graft should be 

 strong, and short-jointed, having on it two or more 

 joints, or buds ; it must be also procured as soon 

 in the season as possible : when obtained, select a 

 good tuber of a single sort, taking especial care 

 that it has no eyes : with a sharp knife (for a dull 

 edge would mangle the fleshy root, make it jagged, 

 and so prevent a complete adhesion) cut off a slice 

 from the upper part of the root, making at the 

 bottom of the part so cut a ledge whereon to rest 

 the graft. This is recommended, because you cannot 

 tongue the graft as you would do a wood shoot ; 

 and the ledge is useful in keeping the cutting fixed 

 in its place while you tie it. Next cut the scion 

 sloping, to fit, and cut it so that a joint may be at 

 the bottom of it, to rest on the aforesaid ledge : an 



