42 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1917. 



The Yema Graft in 5pain. 



" Yema " means, in Spanish, a bud or eye — the germ of anything iii 

 fact, since it also signifies the yolk of an egg. It is the name generally 

 given to this graft in southern Spain. Though often referred to as 

 '' budding " in northern Victoria, the operation is distinct from budding 

 in the usual sense of the term, and as currently practised 

 on citrus, roses, &c. It is a real graft — a summer bud graft — 

 for the wood of the vine is rather deeply cut into, and the V7oody core of 

 the scion-bud is not removed as is usual in ordinai-y budding. The 

 main differences to be found between it and ordinary grafting are the 

 season when it is carried out, and the very small dimensions to which 

 the scion is reduced. Like ordinary grafting, it is performed on the 

 portion of the stock beneath the surface of the soil.* Budding is practised 

 above ground, and usually on green herbaceous canes. 



It was at Jerez de la Frontera, in Southern Spain, the home of 

 sherry, that the writer first maHe the acquaintance of this graft which. 

 since its introduction into Victoria, has been so successful that it bids 

 fair to become the favorite field grafting method. On his return to Vic- 

 toria, the Spanish graft was described in this journal in the issue of 

 June, 1908. This description is here reproduced. It will be followed 

 by some further details in the light of practical experience gained 

 since itsi introduction into Victoria. 



Fig 1. 



A and B. Removal of bud for Yema graft. 



C. Stock ready to receive bud of Yema graft. 



D. Yema graft completed and ready for binding with raffia. 



The other method is knovpn as Yema. It is a summer bud graft and wa.s 



quite new to me" both as regards method and season for execution. It is a true 



• Though the graft is made two oi three inches above the surface level It Is invariably covered by a 

 protecting mound of earth, so that, during the laiitting period, it is several inches below the surface of 

 the mound. (See Fig. 3.) 



