1873-] 



VINE-GRAFTING. 



163 



from what is to be found in Loudon's works. Budding has been suc- 

 cessfully performed by some ; but inarching and grafting are the 

 modes generally practised. 



There is not much difficulty in grafting the Vine by any of the 

 ordinary methods, but one of the best we have seen is that practised 

 by Mr Johnston of Terreagles Gardens, near Dumfries. Mr Johnston 

 has been a zealous and successful cultivator of the Vine for more than 

 thirty years, and has experimented a great deal upon it. He has tried 

 every method of grafting known, and has come to the conclusion that 

 for Vines there is no better method than that which he has practised 

 for a number of years with every success, and which lie has very 

 properly termed "Dovetail grafting" (fig. 10). It is simple, as well 

 as sure, and fruit can be obtained from the graft the first year after 

 its insertion. 



The grafting is performed in the following manner, and before the 

 sap is in motion. The stock 

 may be of one year's growth, 

 or more ; but young wood 

 from one to four years old is 

 preferable. The place selected 

 for inserting the graft should 

 be opposite a bud, or spur, 

 with one or more buds to draw 

 the flow of sap to the scion, 

 which also prevents bleeding. 

 Having selected the stock, the 

 wood should be cut out of it 

 from 2 to 2 J inches in length 

 to a depth corresponding to 

 the thickness of the scion, in 

 the same manner as dove- 

 tailing in carpentry is per- 

 formed. The scion is then 

 prepared by being cut into 

 the pith, leaving the bud in 

 the middle, and made to fit 

 neatly into the stock, after 

 which it is firmly tied with 



matting and clayed over, leaving a small hole opposite the bud, so as 

 not to obstruct its growth. A little moss is then tied over all, and 

 kept moist for some time till the bud begins to grow. After it has 

 grown some length, the opposite shoots are shortened, and eventually 

 taken off altogether. 



