IRISH GARDENING 



45 



form of grafting must be practised. Cleft, rind, 

 and notch are three forms, but as the latter is 

 probably the best kind, I will therefore write of 

 notch grafting, as it is simple and usually 

 effective. The tree to be worked on will, of 

 course, have been headed down to the desired 

 height during winter. Large old trees may have 

 thirty scions fitted to them ; a full bearing head 

 will thus be quickly produced. 



In preparing the old trees it is necessary to use 

 a saw to cut a fresh surface, taking care that the 

 bark is not peeled off ; pare off the rough surface 

 and edge with a sharp knife, make a V-shaped 

 triangular notch with knife on the side of the 

 stock, cutting slightly into the wood. Then take 

 the scion, making a corresponding cut in it, (it 

 same to stock, bind with matting, and proceed 

 with the wax as described for young stocks. 



on the Quince stock, if grafted on the variety 

 William's Bon Chretien, which itself is grafted 

 on the Quince stock, it flourishes admirably. 



The study of this particular branch of horticul- 

 ture is entrancing, and the many advantages 

 proved to result from the judicious use of grafting- 

 are numerous. 



Grafting wax can be bought prepared in tins 

 from any seedsman, but if the operator -prefers 

 to make his own it is an easy matter, as the in- 

 gredients are obtainable in any town or village. 

 A recipe which I can recommend is in the following 

 proportions: — 4 lbs. resin, lh lbs. tallow. l\ lbs. 

 red ochre, h lb. burgundy pitch, melting the resin 

 over a lire and pouring in the tallow and red 

 ochre afterwards. When grafting, this preparation 

 can be applied warm by the aid of a brush, taking 

 care that it is not too hot when put on. Ordinary 



CYPRiPEDIUM LkKAXC.M CI.IX'K ABEltlJYAXX'M. 

 A beautiful Lady Slipper Orchid. 



Several scions may be set on the stock, according 

 to the size of each branch worked on. 



The operation of cleft grafting — viz.. splitting 

 the stem with a chisel and inserting scion in the 

 cleft— -I strongly condemn as likely to rot the 

 stem and endanger the life of the tree. Other 

 methods of grafting are wedge, saddle, side, 

 double-tongue, inlaying, inarching and double- 

 grafting, all of which have their own particular 

 advantages. Side grafting is often resorted to 

 when a blank in a tree occurs, such as a tier of 

 branches in a horizontal-trained tree failing 

 Inarching is also a very useful and well-known 

 form whereby two growing trees or branches of 

 neighbouring trees are brought in contact with 

 each other, and when united the scion is severed 

 from its parent and then becomes a living part 

 of the stock. The possibilities of inarching are 

 very great, and union can be effected at almost 

 any season. Double-grafting is resorted to when 

 one variety of apple, pear, &c, is found un- 

 successful on the usual stock. Take, for instance, 



clay may also be employed and compounded as 

 follows, viz. :-— 2 parts good clay. 1 part chopped 

 hay. 1 part cow manure; all the ingredients must 

 be well kneaded together, and will prove as good 

 as the more elaborate preparation of grafting 

 wax. and much cheaper. 



Cool Orchids. 



Op all the indoor winter flowering plants there 

 are possibly none so useful or give such value, 

 when properly treated, as some of the species of 

 cool house Orchids. In selecting the following 

 half dozen for the beginner or novice to make a 

 start. I think he cannot go much astray providing 

 the accommodation is at all suitable. Of course, 

 to do them justice and expect the best results 

 means to devote a house specially to their 

 cultivation, which, however, does not come 

 within the reach of all who have the wish to be 



