828 



Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [ii Dec, 191 i. 



Treatment of Grafts. 



After the scions have united with the stocks and are making growth, 

 it will be necessary to give them attention. The united scion has now 

 Ijecome part of the stock and to all intents and purposes is the same. Tf , 

 during the early stage of the growing and expanding period, the binding- 

 is not treated so that it will gradually expand with the growth, the .scion 

 will break off and be lost. This generaUy happens when the scion ha.s- 

 a fair head growth and the weather is windy. 



To guard against loss, the grafts sdiould be carefully watched. Tf 

 the binding is not easing with the expanding growth, the propagator 

 should, with a sharp knife, cut the binding through 

 to the bark for the whole length of the bandage, 

 and upon the opposite side to that upon which the 

 scion is placed. Fig. 48 h illustrates the method 

 of making this cut. See that the cut is mndc 



REMOVING BANDAGE. 



a. Result of premature removal of baiKlaj^e. 

 of easinir bandage. 



49. RESULT OF NEGLECT 



TO REMOVE SHOOT 



FROM STOCK. 



through the binding only, and not deep enough to penetrate the bark. 



There is a big risk of the scion breaking away from the stock if the 

 binding is removed previous to the callused parts becoming thoroughly 

 hardened. This period is when the growth is hardening and easing off. 

 There is no necessity to remove the binding, if properly attended to. If 

 it does not come off of its own accord, allow it to remain on until the 

 autumn or winter. 



As .soon as the scion starts to make growth, any shoots upon the stock 

 should be removed, either by rubbing off with the thumb or finger or cutting 

 clean and close to the stem with .a sharp knife. If this disbudding is 

 neglected, the shoots below the graft will draw upon the ascending sap 



