Chap. 26.] GRAFTING BY SCUTCHEONS. 483 



time, however, this method has been greatly improved by 

 making use of the Gallic auger, 27 which pierces the tree with- 

 out scorching it ; it being the fact, that everything that burns 

 the tree weakens its powers. Care, too, is taken to select a 

 graft that is just beginning to germinate, and not to leave 

 more than a couple of the buds protruding from the stock. 

 The vine, too, should be carefully bound with withes of elm, 

 incisions being made in it on either side, in order that the 

 slimy juices may exude through, them in preference, which 

 are so particularly injurious to the vine. After this, when 

 the graft has grown a couple of feet, the withe by which it is 

 fastened should be cut, and the graft left to increase of its own 

 natural vigour. 



The proper time 28 for grafting the vine has been fixed as 

 from the autumnal equinox to the beginning of the budding 

 season. The cultivated plants are generallj* grafted on the 

 roots of wild ones, where these last are of a drier nature. But if 

 a cultivated tree should be grafted on a wild one, it will very 

 soon degenerate and become wild. 29 The rest depends entirely 

 on the weather. Dry weather is the best suited for grafting ; 

 an excellent remedy for any evil effects that may possibly be 

 caused by the drought, being a few pots of earth placed near 

 the stock and filled with ashes ; through which a little water 

 is slowly filtered. Light dews are extremely favourable to 

 grafting by inoculation. 



CHAP. 26. (16 ) — GRAFTING £Y SCUTCHEONS. 30 



Grafting by scutcheons would appear to owe its origin to 

 that by inoculation ; but it is suited more particularly to a 

 thick bark, such as that of the fig-tree for instance. For this 

 purpose, all the branches are cut off, in order that they may 

 not divert the sap, after which the smoothest part is selected 



-" It is not accurately known what was the form or particular merit of 

 this auger or wimble. 



28 1 ee remarks, that the period here named is very indefinite. May 

 and the early part of June are the periods now selected for grafting the 

 vine. 



- 9 This is borrowed from Varro, De Re Rust. B. i. c. 40. In reality, 

 if. makes no difference whether the stock is that of a wild tree or of the 

 cultivated species. 



30 " Emplastrum." Properly, the little strip of bark, which is fitted in with 

 the eye, and which \s plastered or soldered down. 



