826 



Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. 



[ii Dec, 1911. 



time it was grafted. The reader should carefully examine the rough 

 union between the stock and scion and contrast it with Fig. ^-t^ which shows, 

 a clean healthy head growth of five months. 



After placing the scion in position, take a .strip of waxed calico or 

 paper and start binding, with a firm hand, just below the lower end of 

 the union. Work upwards obliquely, taking care that each time the binding 

 comes around the union that one edge overlaps the other. Continue on 

 above the union and give one turn straight around the scion, finishing off 

 with ,a downward turn (Fig. 45 d). When this is accomplished work the 

 thumb and fingers firmly, but carefully, around the bound parts. Thi.s. 

 ^^'ill not only expel any air, but by working the wax well into the material 

 used, will lessen the danger of the binding becoming slack. Work with the 



binding, not against. If the 

 air is not prevented from 

 gaining access to the uniting- 

 parts, the graft will be a 

 failure. 



45. SATISFACTORY GRAFTING. 



a. Stock iirepared for scion. h. Properly cut 

 scion. c Scion and s^tcick united. d. Bound 

 with waxed calico. 



46. UXSATISFACTORV GRAFTING. 



a and h. Stock and scion wronsly cut. 

 c. Result when united. 



The failure of a graft when rightly selected, cut, and united, is usually- 

 traced to some slight fault, such as the binding relaxing slightly at the 

 terminal or apex end of the union, and thus allowing tlie air free access 

 to the callusing parts. This relaxation is usually brought about through 

 carelessness, either in binding, finishing off, or using a wrongly prepared 

 grafting wax. 



Several varieties of apples are unsuitable for head grafting in the 

 nursery. Those kinds subject to a well known bark trouble which is- 

 characteristic of the Cox's Orange Pippin, American Mother. Irish Peach, 

 Missouri Pippin, &c., should be avoided, and so should the Gravenstein 

 with its sunken or crushed-like i^arts upon the trunk and boughs. 



Scions for top grafting should be cut longer than for ground grafting. 

 Leave three or four l)uds to form the branched head growth. {Sec Fig. 43.) 



