1885.] GRAFTING. 339 



Finish as early as possible tlie repairing of embankments and 

 other river work during favourable weather. 



The present month is a good time for removing and transplanting 

 evergreen trees and shrubs. Plants removed now witli care, and 

 the roots well supplied with soil, with proper attention afterwards, 

 are sure to succeed. 



Forest trees may now be pruned, which should be done with 

 great caution. 



As the harvest gets finished, the preparation of ground for planting 

 may be pushed forward. Where draining is necessary, no time 

 should be lost in having it done, so that the ground may be in good 

 order for planting. Lewis Bayne. 



KiXMEL Park, 19//( Awjust 1885. 



GRAFTING. 



GPiAFTING is now used very little, except for apples. Eoot- 

 grafting is generally done in the winter, while there is more 

 leisure, and can be done cheaper on that account. Generally, first- 

 class apple stocks are used. These are housed in a cellar or other 

 safe place, secure from frost ; and after the grafting has been 

 done, the grafts are laid in boxes in layers, with sawdust, sand, or 

 common earth, and thus kept until spring. December grafting is 

 just as good as later, if the grafts are properly cared for. Tongue- 

 splice grafting is generally practised ; that is, a long sloping cut is 

 made on both root and scion, with a tongue raised on each, and the 

 tongues and cuts are fitted neatly together. Some use neither wax 

 nor wrapping material, while most nurserymen use one or both. 

 The advantage gained by wrapping or waxing, in strengthening the 

 graft at the splice (thus saving much breaking in plantiug), well 

 repays all extra cost. The cheapest, handiest, and best material 

 is a hard wax, applied hot, by means of a pan, a small coal oil 

 lamp, and a wooden, spoon- shaped ladle, whereby a small amount 

 of hot wax can be raised from the i3an, and, in the crease of the 

 spoon, enough wax will remain so that the graft can be turned 

 deftly therein, and the joint quickly and completely covered and 

 made air-tight witli the hot wax, which cools in an instant and 

 becomes hard. The grafts are drawn through sand immediately 

 after waxing, to prevent their adhering to each other. No hurt 

 comes to the graft from the hot wax. Mould in the joint is largely 

 obviated by this plan of waxing. I have used common packing 

 moss pressed dry, to pack grafts in, and with the very best success 

 of all. K H. Albungh. 



