GRAFTING BY APPROACH. 



wild species, very common about Nashville, probably the original ])rairie rose of 

 the gardens ; but any strong growing roots from tlic strong growing kinds will 

 do ; choosing those from a quarter to one inch through, and cutting them in pieces 

 of from four to six inches long. Rub olf the thorns on the back of the scion, as 

 far as the bandage will extend, with the back of the knife. Make the cut on the 

 root about two and a half inches long, and the cut on the scion to correspond, 

 using the same process as in apyde grafting. 



I generally prepared my ground for jjlanting the previous fall or winter, select- 

 ing a piece of sod when I could, and trenching it up 18 inches or two feet deep. 

 As early as possible in spring, I lined the ground off into beds five feet wide, and 

 planted the grafted roots one foot apart in tlie row, and two feet from row to row. 

 Care must be taken to make the plants firm in the ground, leaving one or two 

 eyes only out. 



As soon as the buds begin to push, loosen the surface of the soil with a hoe. 

 Pinch out all the flower-buds as they appear, and when they have made shoots six 

 or eight inches long, pinch them back. In the fall, after a growth of only six 

 months, these plants will be from two to five feet high, according to the strength 

 of the variety. 



I have more particularly alluded to the remontants, mosses, and hardy garden 

 roses ; and these varieties, I am perfectly well satisfied, after years of experience, 

 can be propagated in no way with such ease and rai)idity as by this. 



The other varieties I have, for the most part, rooted in jiots. The Noisettes, I 

 have found, do better than the Tea or Bourbons ; in fact, the kinds which produce 

 the stoutest wood do best by root grafting. 



I may remark, that when the graft grows, the stock root never suckers ; but 

 when the scion dies, the roots nevertheless grow, showing that that variety can 

 be propagated by the roots. 



[An excellent practical article. — Ed.] 



GRAFTING BY APPROACH. 



BY PROFESSOR EDWARD NORTH, HAMILTON COLLEGE, CLINTON, NEW YORK. 



More than two hundred methods of grafting are described by the horticultural 

 artists of France, a large share of them being curious rather than useful. Graft- 

 ing by approach is an oi>cration easily performed, and, in some cases, preferable 

 to any other. Its peculiarity is in the fact, that the scion is not separated from 

 the parent stool until after its union with the stock, or that the stems of two 

 trees are united, while each retains its original roots. 



The history of approach grafting may be traced l)ack to a remote antiquity. 

 Those who first practised it, probably followed a hint furnished by nature. In 

 the forest, we sometimes meet with examples of grafting by accidental approach. 

 Two branches crossing each other, are rubbed together by the wind, until the 

 bark is mutually removed at the points of contact. A period of calm weather 

 follows, and the two branches unite. The roots of trees frequently grow together 

 in like manner. 



In the process of grafting by approach, the steps to be taken are these: 1. 

 Remove a part of the bark and wood from each of the branches that are to be 

 joined. These wounds should answer to each other in shape and size ; should bo 

 neatly cut ; and should reach through the sap wood, and sometimes even to the pith. 



2. The wounded parts should be brought together, so that they shall exactly 

 cover each other, and touch at all points. 



